Tough day unfolds at altitude despite fight

Friday, November 3

USAF Academy, Colo.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

206

Air Force

Photo by: Nathan Peters

11/3/2023 9:26:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving

Lopes set to begin preparation for midseason

By: Nathan Peters

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. —The Grand Canyon swimming and diving teams fell on Friday to Air Force at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Multiple Lopes had strong showings despite the high-altitude setting. Times will be adjusted for the season records based on altitude..
In the men's 192-108 loss, GCU sophomore Mohamed Mohamady had an impressive day with wins in the 200-yard backstroke (1 minute, 50.66 seconds) and as the 400 freestyle relay anchor (3:07.48).
In the women's 206-94 loss, Lopes sophomore Paula Martinez Moreno continued her recent success with three wins. First, the Spaniard took the 200 butterfly with ease, finishing with a time of 2:06.6. Next, she won the 200 backstroke, clocking in at 2:06.73 before adding another victory by swimming the 100 butterfly in 56.47 seconds.
GCU graduate Briana Rittenbach (57.25 seconds in the 100 backstroke) and senior Raphaela Nakashima (1:05.39 in the 100 backstroke) also had first-place finishes for the Lopes.
Lopes junior Sam Jennings placed first in the 100 backstroke with a time of 51.09, more than a second ahead of the next fastest finisher. Jennings also took second behind Mohamady in the 200 backstroke.
The Lopes men closed the day with their 400 freestyle relay victory by going 3:07.48. In addition to Mohamady, the relay included freshman Guillermo Carrey Bosque and sophomores Alex Volkov and Eli Cohen.
Meet results can be found here (before altitude adjustments).
The whole team won't be back in action until the Midseason Invitational at Miami (Ohio), where they will compete from Nov. 30- Dec. 2. The divers will be at the NAU Diving Invitational from Nov. 17-19.