Courtesy: UNLV Athletics
LAS VEGAS – The UNLV men’s and women’s swimming and diving team will host UNR and CSU Bakersfield this weekend at the Jim Reitz Pool. The diving competition for both meets will take place Friday afternoon with women’s beginning at 1:00pm and men’s following at 3:00pm. The swimmers will then get in on the action Friday night at 5pm against the women of UNR, followed by a regular dual meet Saturday at 11am against CSU Bakersfield.
Setting the pace this season for the Rebel women are returnees senior Katsiaryna Afanasyeva, sophomore Filio Raftopoulou (MW Swimmer of the Week recipient last season), and sophomore Carissa Armijo (Mountain West Freshman of the Meet recipient last season).
Highlighting the Rebel men this season are returnees senior Hayden Hemmens, junior diver Jesse Cawley, and sophomore Wyatt Marsalek, all three of which earned the WAC weekly honors at least once least season. Freshman Ogi Maric and transfer Bryan Chavez are also expected to be strong contributors this season.
“The season opener is always exciting,” said head coach Ben Loorz. “UNR will bring a small, but very talented squad as always. They are conference runners-up, and will be feeling good as they come down from altitude. They’ll be a challenge on Friday for sure. Bakersfield on Saturday is always a high energy meet, and it will be great to get both the men and the women racing together. They have some really quick freshmen this year, and have already raced really fast at USC last weekend, so they’ll be ready to bring it.”