MINNEAPOLIS – The San Diego State swimming and diving team clinched the 2019 Mountain West Championship on Saturday night at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center, topping second-place Nevada by a 102-point margin. The championship marks as SDSU's first since 2015 and their fourth championship overall.
Freshman diver Ximena Lechuga Gonzalez was named Mountain West Diver of the Meet, marking the first time a freshman has ever won Mountain West Diver of the Meet honors.
San Diego State's fourth title puts the Aztecs in a tie with Boise State for the most conference title among active Mountain West members.
The Aztecs set three conference records over the four-day event, including Morganne McKennan's effort in the 100 breast (59.50) and the 200 and 400 medley relay teams consisting of Alma Thormalm, Klara Thormalm, Elli Ferrin, and Courtney Vincent.
SDSU used a balanced effort on the final day, starting with a sixth-place finish from Elli Ferrin, who logged the fourth-fastest time in school history in the 200 back at 1:57.71. One race later, Alma Thormalm claimed second place in the 100 free with a time of 49.66.
Morganne McKennan and Klara Thormalm, who both broke the previous Mountain West record in the 100 breast yesterday finished second and fourth, respectively, in the 200 breast. McKennan clocked in at 2:10.59 -- a new school record -- while Klara Thormalm touched the wall at 2:13.02.
Courtney Vincent finished third in the 200 fly, logging a time of 1:59.39 for the fourth fastest time in the Aztec record book.
In the final diving event, Ximena Lechuga Gonzalez recorded a 247.00 in the final round to finish second on the platform board. Lechuga Gonzalez's preliminary score of 259.65 ranks as the second-best in Aztec history.
SDSU's 400 free relay team of Mia Ryan, Lizzie Menzmer, McKenna Meyer, and Peyton Wilson finished the championships off with a third-place finish, clocking in at 3:20.40.
The Aztecs now await to see which student-athletes will qualify for the NCAA National Championships in Austin, Texas from March 20-23.
Team Scores
San Diego State - 1363.5
Nevada - 1261.5
Boise State - 1159
New Mexico - 792.5
Fresno State - 781.5
Wyoming - 743.5
Colorado State - 636.5
San Jose State - 515.5
UNLV - 501.5
Air Force - 409