LAS VEGAS, NEV.— The University of Hawai'i swim and dive team competed in its first meet of the season and made a big-time first impression in a dual-style meet against UNLV and Wyoming at Jim Reitz Pool on Thursday.
 
UH claimed a combined 14 first-place finishes on the day, as the men's team nearly swept all events with seven first-place finishes. The Rainbow Warriors currently leads UNLV 111.00-56.00 and sits atop Wyoming at 127.50-39.50. While the Rainbow Wahine hold a lead of 96.00-68.00 over Wyoming and are one-point behind UNLV at 81.00-80.00. 
 
"This was our first-day racing in 11 months, and we were ecstatic to be back," said head coach Elliot Ptasnik. "The very first race was the medley relay, and the women won with a time that is Top 30 in NCAA, while the men had a one-two finish. Our captains led the charge, with Anna Kotonen, Franz Adam, and Talon Lindquist winning every event they raced. The swimmers looked great in the pool, and the divers looked great on the boards. Overall a great team effort in and out of the pool. We're looking forward to tomorrow."
 
The 'Bows will have a chance to repeat or out due themselves on the second day of the meet as they'll be back in action tomorrow, closing the dual event.
 
Swimming
 
The Rainbow Warriors dominated the day by taking first-place in both relay events and every individual event, except for the 1650 free.
 
Over the last few years, UH has dedicated time and effort to building its strong, competitive top-tier relay teams to rise in the ranks of the NCAA national standings. On Thursday, the 'Bows claimed first-place finishes in the 400 medley relay and the 200 free relay. 
 
Anchored by senior Adam Franz, along with a trio of sophomores Timothy Gallagher, Justin Lisoway, and Tim Masten, the group finished with a time of 3:18.36. A mark narrowly beating the No. 2 squad also from UH in senior Micah Masei, junior Ian Venter, and sophomores Kaiko Hokama-Decker and John Clark.
 
The 200 free relay squad posted a time of 1:21.29, as Franz anchored another team, partnering with Masten and Masei, along with senior 'aukai Lileikis.
 
Franz's and Masten's day continued as the duo finished one and two in the 100 free. Franz touched the wall first at 44.64. 
 
Adding to the relay squads' success was Lisoway winning the 100 breast and Lindquist claiming the 200 fly.
 
Newcomer Sean Hogan captured two first-place finishes in his debut. The University of Tennessee transfer won the 100 back with a time of 48.38, and later the 200 individual medley at 1:50.14. UH finished one-two-three in the 200 IM as Hogan was followed by Lisoway and Lindquist.
 
The Rainbow Wahine had a strong showing as senior Anna Kotonen led the way with four first-place finishes. She was a part of both the 400 medley relay and 200 free relay, along with the 100 breast at 1:01.85 and the 200 IM at 2:01.47.
 
Joining Kotonen on both relay teams was sophomore Anna Friedrich, as she added to her day and a win in the 100 free clocking in at 50.59.
 
The 400 medley squad with Kotonen and Friedrich partnered with the senior combo of Karolina Hajkoca and Lucia Lassman. The foursome checked in at 3:41.20 and now ranks in the top 30 nationally.
 
 
Diving
 
Entering the day, junior Max Burman was one of the top returners for UH and the MPSF; after Thursday, freshman Mason Williams may be joining him as another top competitor.
 
Williams took a first-place finish in the men's one-meter dive with a score of 316.90, followed by Burman at the No. 2 spot at 313.75. As a result of Burman registering a 300 or better score and qualifying last year, he will return to the NCAA Zone E event in early March to have a chance at the NCAA Championships.
 
As for the Rainbow Wahine, Elma Lund, another newcomer, made her mark placing No. 3 in the women's three-meter. Lund's debut score was set at 270.75, followed by teammate senior Victoria Moretti with a score of 263.50.