USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - The Air Force swimming & diving team split its dual meet with Wisconsin-Milwaukee Friday evening at the Cadet Natatorium. The Falcon men defeated the Panthers 141-100, while the UWM women won 135-102.
The Falcons opened the meet on fire, winning the first six events in the 26 event dual. While the men were able to finish first in nine of their 13 events, moving their season dual record to 6-1-1, the women's team was able to win only five and fall to 7-4.
The top Falcon women's diver was Lauren Bursey (Englewood, CO), who placed fifth in both the one (209.69) and three-meter (234.15) dives.
Leading the way for the men's team was sophomore T.J. Cowling and junior Paul Parmenter, with two individual wins each. Cowling swam well for the Falcons in the sprint-free events, winning the 50 (21.34) and 100 yard (46.69) freestyle events. Parmenter was victorious in the 100 backstroke (53.17) and the 100 breaststroke (1:01.74).
Also placing first for the Falcons was Chris Knaute in the 1000 free (9:33.05), Justin Lapin in the 200 free (1:45.03) and Matt Karmondy in the 500 free (4:51.85). AFA also won the 200 medley relay (1:35.17) consisting of Kai Yamashiro, Justin Day, Matt Sievers and Ryan Moss.
Junior Brady Lindberg was the top diver for the men's team, winning the three-meter dive with 320.55 points and placing second in the one-meter dive 283.50 points.
The Falcon women were paced by sophomore Tiffany Biddle, who dominated the distance freestyle events. Biddle placed first for AFA in the 500 (5:23.37) and 1000 free (11:10.23).
Colleen Smith was the other Falcon to win an individual event, winning the 200 free with a time of 1:58.15.
Air Force fared well in the two relay events, winning the 200 medley and 200 free relays. The group of Lindsey Kirchhoff, Carly Omizo, Jane Hwang and Laken Stogner took the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:50.79. Stogner, Robbie Nitzberg, Melissa Edwards and Biddle won the 200 free with a time of 1:43.89.
The Air Force women return to action tomorrow, Jan. 14, at Northern Colorado. The men return to action next Friday, Jan. 20, with the women at Denver.