GOLDEN, Colo. – Western State Colorado University women's swimming and diving returned to the water at Colorado School of Mines Saturday. The Mountaineers won four events while posting several personal bests in the dual despite falling 68.6-113.5 to the Orediggers.
 
In their first competitive action in the pool since early December, Western got back on track in 2018. Three Mountaineers took individual wins while the 400-yard freestyle relay of Shelby Brown, Morgan Aragon, Sydney Skiles, and Savannah Tice also claimed victory.
 
With 11 events on the docket, the meet progressed unusually quickly finishing in an hour and fifteen minutes. Quick pacing between events leaves little recovery time for the athletes, but that didn't stop the Mountaineers from compiling eight top two finishes.
 
Leading the way individually for Western were senior Kate Hewson and freshman Jordyn Richey. Hewson won the 50 yard freestyle in 25.31, besting the field by nearly a second. In an unusual occurrence, she would go on to tie for the win in the 100 yard freestyle with a 55.58 clocking.
 
Jordyn Richey also had a strong day for the Mountaineers taking first in the 100 yard breaststroke with a 1:10.66 and 3^rd in the 100 yard butterfly 1:03.07. Both marks were collegiate bests for Richey and just off her lifetime best.
 
Savannah Tice continued to show her strength in the backstroke, taking the 100 yard back in 1:00.69.
 
After finding success in the breaststroke early in the season, senior Anna Kaiser focused on the long-distance swims, lowering her personal best in the 1,650 yard freestyle by 30 seconds. Also in the mile race, Sydney Skiles took third place with a 19:15.26 clocking.
 
Western returns to the pool next weekend at the Colorado College Classic. The two day meet starts Saturday and runs through Sunday.