OCCC Gears Up For Swimming and Diving Championships

February 16, 2007

OCCC Gears Up For Swimming and Diving Championships

For the eighth year in a row, collegiate swimming and diving teams from The Mountain West Conference are making a splash at Oklahoma City Community College. OCCC is hosting the MWC swimming and diving championship beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 21 and ending February 24. The Mountain West Conference features teams from Wyoming, Utah, UNLV, TCU, San Diego State, New Mexico, Colorado State, BYU and Air Force Academy.

The UNLV men, two-time defending champions, tied BYU for the regular season title with 4-1 dual meet records. The Rebels will be tough to beat in the relay events, holding the MWC best time in every relay this season. On the women's side, watch for Utah senior Amber Walter, who set an MWC all-time record in the 50 free with a 22.59 at the Ohio State Invitational in December. Walter, who earned two MWC Swimmer of the Week awards this season, led the Utes to and undefeated conference dual meet record, setting league season bests in the 50 free, 100 free (50.40) and 100 backstroke (1:02.89). Utah, the 2006 champions, also owns MWC season best times in all five relay events.

For the first time ever, real-time results will be available online by visiting http://themwc.cstv.com/livestats/c-swim/results/index.htm , or go to the MWC Swimming & Diving Championships page at http://themwc.cstv.com/champ/swim-champ-2007.html.

The championship is just one of many events held at the OCCC Aquatic Center that puts the college and the city on the national map. Built in 1989, the Aquatic Center served initially as the outdoor venue for all aquatic competitions during the 1989 U.S. Olympic Festival. Recently the facility was awarded the 2002 National Recreation and Parks Association Award of Excellence and is regarded as one of the top facilities of its kind in the nation. The competitive pool is 50 meters long and 25 meters wide. A four-foot wide, movable bulkhead provides the flexibility to accommodate a 25-yard short course swim meet or a 50-meter long course meet. The separate diving well is equipped with 4 one-meter springboards, 4 three-meter springboards and platforms at five, seven, and ten meters.

All events this week are open to the public. Cost to attend is $30 for adults to attend all sessions, youth tickets are $15. Preliminary event tickets are $5 each and tickets to the finals are $7. For more information contact the Aquatic Center at 682-7859.

For comments on the News Release contact:
Cordell Jordan
Media Relations Coordinator Marketing and Public Relations

Oklahoma City Community College