GUNNISON, Colo. (October 12, 2018) – Colorado State University-Pueblo Swimming & Diving started its 2018-19 season with a 134-84 loss to Western Colorado University at the Paul Brown Natatorium Friday. 

Phoebe Pontious (Jr., Caledonia, Mich.) earned her fourth career win over the Mountaineers.  She sprinted her way to victory in the 50 free with a time of 25.29. Pontious also placed second in the 100 free (55.90). 

Freshman Natalie Rotondo (Aurora, Colo.) celebrated her Pack debut with a win in the 100 fly.  Rotondo's time of 59.97 beat the rest of the field by over four seconds. She swam into second place in the 200 free with a mark of 1:59.11.

Pueblo's own Madison Ortega won the one-meter diving. The freshman scored 134.85 points in her Pack debut. Senior Tracey Williams (Pueblo, Colo.) took second in the diving (82.12).

After a year away from competition, April McDonough (Sr., Frisco, Texas) returned to take second in the 1000 Free with a time of 11.55 66.  McDonough also placed fifth in the 500 Free (5:56.18). Freshmen

Alyssa Grunloh (Round Rock, Texas) and Emma Chvatal (Carterville, Ill.) took second and third in the 500 free respectively. Grunloh added a third place finish in the 1000 free (12:14.93) 

The Pack finished second in both relays. Jade Irick (Sr., Idaho Falls, Idaho), Kate Miller (So., Draper, Utah), Arianna Rohde (Sr., Anchorage, Alaska) , and Bristyn Croswhite (So., Tempe, Ariz.) finished the 400 medley relay  in 4:24.13.  Pontious, McDonough, and Rotondo teamed with freshman Julia Whitfield (Wichita, Kan.) to place second in the 200 free relay (1:43.05).

Croswhite claimed third in the 100 fly (1:04.23). Miller earned third place with a time of 1:16.46 in the 100 breast. Whitfield placed third in the 100 free (57.25).

The ThunderWolves will compete again Saturday Oct. 20 when they visit New Mexico State University. The Pack's dual with the Aggies starts at 11:30.

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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics