GUNNISON, Colo. – The Colorado State University Pueblo women's swimming and diving team collected three event victories on Thursday evening but fell to Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) opponent Western Colorado University, 183-88, in a dual meet held in Gunnison.
The ThunderWolves were led by senior Olivia Dannhaus, freshman diver Autumn Zumpf and the 400-yard medley relay team, as each captured first-place finishes to highlight the Pack's performance.
CSU Pueblo opened the meet in impressive fashion, earning a victory in the 400-yard medley relay. The quartet of Aria Chase, Dannhaus, Beth Lalley and Jenna MacDougall combined for a winning time of 4:03.79, narrowly edging Western Colorado's top relay team, which finished in 4:05.46.
Dannhaus continued her strong evening in the 100-yard breaststroke, touching the wall first with a time of 1:08.10. The senior held off Western Colorado's Demi Blaylock, who finished second in 1:08.53, to secure nine points for the ThunderWolves.
In addition to her individual victory, Dannhaus recorded a runner-up finish in the 200-yard individual medley, posting a time of 2:18.01. Freshman Lexie Musslewhite followed closely behind in third place with a time of 2:20.14, giving the Pack two of the top three finishers in the event.
On the diving board, Zumpf continued to make an impact in CSU Pueblo's first season of diving competition since 2019-20. The freshman captured first place in the one-meter diving competition with a score of 245.70, adding another nine points to the ThunderWolves' team total.
CSU Pueblo also received strong performances from sophomore Andy Reyes in the distance freestyle events. Reyes earned a pair of runner-up finishes, beginning with an 11:23.30 performance in the 1,000-yard freestyle. She later finished second in the 500-yard freestyle, touching the wall in 5:32.42.
Chase added another top-two finish for the Pack in the 100-yard backstroke, finishing second with a time of 1:01.56. Musslewhite followed in fourth place at 1:02.63.
MacDougall also turned in a strong showing in the sprint freestyle events, placing second in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25.65. Sophomore Angela Pantke finished fifth in the event with a time of 26.28.
In the 200-yard butterfly, senior Laci Denn earned a runner-up finish after touching the wall in 2:16.84. Denn later added a third-place finish in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:16.57, while Musslewhite finished fourth in 2:17.73.
The ThunderWolves continued to collect points throughout the meet, including a third-place finish by freshman Emily Morgantini in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:33.74), a third-place performance from Lalley in the 100-yard butterfly (1:03.01) and a third-place finish by Pantke in the 100-yard freestyle (56.57).
CSU Pueblo concluded the evening with a runner-up finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The team of Pantke, Denn, MacDougall and Chase combined for a time of 3:42.05, finishing less than two seconds behind Western Colorado's winning time of 3:40.10.
Despite the setback in the team standings, the ThunderWolves finished with three event victories and multiple podium performances against their RMAC opponent.
CSU Pueblo Event Victories
Other Notable CSU Pueblo Performances
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Andy Reyes: Second in the 1,000-yard freestyle (11:23.30) and 500-yard freestyle (5:32.42).
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Laci Denn: Second in the 200-yard butterfly (2:16.84) and third in the 200-yard backstroke (2:16.57).
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Aria Chase: Second in the 100-yard backstroke (1:01.56).
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Jenna MacDougall: Second in the 50-yard freestyle (25.65).
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Olivia Dannhaus: Second in the 200-yard individual medley (2:18.01).
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Lexie Musslewhite: Third in the 200-yard individual medley (2:20.14).
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Emily Morgantini: Third in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:33.74).
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Beth Lalley: Third in the 100-yard butterfly (1:03.01).
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Angela Pantke: Third in the 100-yard freestyle (56.57).
