UW swimming to host Mines, Denver this weekend

* University of Wyoming Athletics media relations release

LARAMIE -- The University of Wyoming swim team will not have its normal number of swimmers competing this week due to COVID-19 protocols. But that hasn’t decreased the energy around the pool in the days leading up to a pair of meets against Colorado School of Mines and Denver.  

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In a similar theme, the Cowboys and Cowgirls have not been able to practice precisely how they want due to the omicron variant. But that hasn’t squelched their hunger to train and improve, however they can, ahead of Friday and Saturday’s swimming action. 

“I’m proud of them,” head coach Dave Denniston said. “They’ve kept the energy up, and they’re trying everything to make this as positive of an experience as they can as a team. That’s been a contagious energy. I think they’ve handled it brilliantly.  

“Overall, I think the energy has been fantastic, and that’s all on the leadership and team culture.” 

Friday’s meet against the Orediggers marks Wyoming’s first meet in nearly two months. Part of that is due to how the schedule shook out and part of that is due to COVID-19 schedule alterations.  

That long hiatus and a reduced number of swimmers will amplify the importance of race details. And those are things that Dennsiton hopes shines through.  

“I think the things we worked on all season, in terms of how we swim our race, strategy, and pacing are going to be paramount,” Denniston said. 

Friday’s competition will also represent the first meet at remodeled Corbett Pool. New locker rooms, a new team room, sound-proof celling panels are just a few of the enhancements that were completed this fall.   

Friday is slated for a 4 p.m. start time with no diving events. The Wyoming divers are in California at the Bruin Diving Invitational.  

Saturday’s meet against the Pioneers is scheduled to take place at Laramie High School at 4 p.m. Again, there will be no diving events.  

Saturday’s meet will also stand as Senior Day for a number of Cowboys and Cowgirls. Those student-athletes will be honored before the meet begins.