Jayhawks Fall Short Against Air Force, 154-146

Results

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Despite the efforts of senior Alyssa Golden, who took home top honors in both diving events, Kansas fell to Air Force, 154-146, Saturday afternoon at the US Air Force Academy Natatorium.
 
Junior Kim Davis, who took first in the 200-yard freestyle (1:52.99), breaststroke (2:20.17) and individual medley events (2:06.90), led the Falcons in the win over Kansas. She also anchored the second-place finishing 200-yard medley relay (1:46.81).
 
“Air Force had a very good meet and the University of Kansas did not,” head coach Clack Campbell said. “We dove well enough with Alyssa Golden to be close in scoring, but we just fell short. It was a tough start to the season, but we know what we need to work on and I expect to see improvement this week.”
 
Kansas had a strong performance in the first event of the meet, placing first in the 200-yard medley relay with Yulduz “Yulya” Kuchkarova, Bryce Hinde, Pia Pavlic, and Leah Pfitzer. Hinde also chalked up points for the Jayhawks placing first in the 100-yard breaststroke before following it up with a third-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke.
 
“The medley relay was a good way to kick off the meet and get things started,” Campbell said. “We were hoping that it would create some momentum, but the next two events were a little rocky and slowed things down for us. However, Bryce’s performance was solid in the relay, and she also performed well in her 100-yard backstroke.”
 
Helping Golden in the diving events was freshman Graylyn Jones, who placed third off the one-meter board (226.20). Freshman Amanda Maser also scored points in the three-meter dive, placing fourth with a score of 222.00.
 
The Falcons also got help from senior Sam Laughlin, who placed first in both the 100- and 200-yard backstroke, before swimming a leg on the winning 400-yard freestyle relay.
 
“Air Force had a strong performance today and I think one of the main things we need to do is focus more on our training efforts in the water,” Campbell said. “We’re at a point now where we have a high fitness level. As far as aquatic fitness, we aren’t anywhere close to where we need to be, but working towards it. That’s what we are going to do this week; work on getting back in swimming shape and being better athletes.”
 
Kansas will hit the pool again next Thursday, Oct. 17, when the Jayhawks travel to Ft. Worth, Texas, to take on TCU at the TCU URC Natatorium. The first event is slated to begin at 1 p.m.
 
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