The Wyoming Cowgirls will begin their regular season swim and dive schedule this Friday, October 6th, by hosting the Colorado State Rams. This team has already participated in two “preseason” events this year, which helped to tune them up before the Border War this weekend.
In September, both the men’s and women’s squads traveled to the Horsetooth Reservoir in Colorado and competed in the open water swim. It was a good test for the distance swimmers, and a fun start for the team.
Last weekend, Wyoming hosted its annual intrasquad meet: Brown vs. Gold. While it wasn’t a part of the true season, swimmers used it as an opportunity to get ready for this weekend.
There are many athletes looking to make an impact this year, but a few standouts are the names to watch.
Brynlee Busskohl, the junior from Lyman, Wyoming, put on a strong performance at the intrasquad meet, and looks to continue the success in her breaststroke events this Friday.
Maisyn Klimczak, who was Mountain West champion in the 1650-yard freestyle last year, as well as the third place swimmer in the 200-yard freestyle, returns to UW this season.
Carly Palmer will build on her success last season, after she was All Mountain West in both the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke events.
For dive, conference award winners Alicia Gonzalez and Gabriella Haigler lead the squad.
Not only does the meet mark the beginning of the season, but it is also a competition with a Mountain West rival.
“I think this year our team’s really looking forward to building in terms of being more competitive in our conference,” head coach Dave Denniston said.
In addition to that, athletes are looking towards Paris 2024.
“It’s a little bit of a two pronged approach this year in terms of having a successful college season but also knowing quite a few of our athletes are looking to try to swim on a bigger stage as well with the Olympic trials,” Denniston continued.
With all the excitement for the new season building, a visit from CSU will only add to the hype. The Cowgirls have dropped meets to the Rams in the past two seasons, so they are even more motivated to come up victorious.
The events will begin at 4 p.m. at the Laramie High School pool on Friday, October 6th, 2023.
