Air Force Academy

Feb. 23, 2007

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Air Force senior Chris Knaute tied an MWC record, winning his ninth career individual title in day three of the Mountain West Conference Swimming and Diving Championships Friday at Oklahoma City Community College. Knaute won the 400 individual medley in 3:50.05, his second win this year, to tie UNLV's Jacint Simon who won nine races from 2000 to 2002.

Knaute could break the record with a win in the 1650 freestyle, which will be held tomorrow at 12:19 p.m. CST. A win in that race would also make Knaute only the second swimmer in MWC history to win the same race four consecutive years. Scott Usher of Wyoming won the 200 breaststroke from 2002 to 2005.

The men's team race is tight, with just 57.5 points separating the top three teams - UNLV (480.5), BYU (469.5) and Air Force (423). Wyoming (341), Utah (297.5) and TCU (296.5) finish the standings.

The Cougars retain their lead in the women's standings with 542 team points, followed by Utah (439), UNLV (376, Wyoming (367) and Colorado State (281). TCU (270), New Mexico (100), Air Force (129) and San Diego State (118) round out the list.

Joining Knaute in the 400 IM were three other Falcons. Justin Lapin followed up in second with a time of 3:54.96. Paul Parmenter took fifth with a time of 3:58.68. Alex Yee placed 14th with a time of 4:07.58.

In the 100 fly, Nick Burton just missed tying his Air Force record by one-hundredth of a second by placing fourth with a time of 48.91. Matt Sievers followed up in fifth with a career-best time of 49.39, which is the fifth-fastest time ever at the Academy.

In the 200 free, Bryan Avery placed third with a time of 1:38.17, the third-fastest time at the Academy.

In the 100 back, Kai Yamashiro placed 12th with the eighth-fastes time ever with a time of 51.36.

On the women's side sophomore Jane Hwang led the way by breaking the school record in the 200 free with a time of 1:51.08 in the prelims. She beat the previous record of 1:52.24 set by Carly Baxter in 2002. Hwang placed sixth in the 200 free.

Senior Blair Leake had a strong swim in the 100 breast, taking fifth with a time of 1:05.35.

Live stats can be followed during the meet with the link below or via the Mountain West Conference swimming & diving page.

http://themwc.cstv.com/livestats/c-swim/results/index.htm