SAN LUIS OPISBO, CALIF.— The fourth day of competition at the MPSF Championships for the University of Hawai'i swim and dive team proved to be a day of building a lead for the women's squad, while the men's team fought to stay within striking distance of the top spot.
 
With one day left to go, the Rainbow Wahine sit atop the pack with a 576.50-523.50 lead over second-place BYU. But it was the Cougars who created some separation from the Rainbow Warriors with a 626.50-562.50 advantage. 
 
Senior Lucia Lassman kicked the day off for the women claiming a victory in the 100 fly, touching the wall at 53.49. Her success in the 100 fly was her first individual championship of the event.
 
Lassman's day wasn't done as she played a vital role in the 'Bows 400 medley relay. She teamed up with senior Anna Kotonen, junior Emma Frey, and sophomore Anna Friedrich, capturing the third relay championship of the week for UH. The foursome finished with a time of 3:38.30, nearly three seconds faster than the second-place finishers.
 
The Rainbow Wahine added three more top-three finishes as Kotonen placed second in the 100 breast, and Friedrich placed third in the 200 free. Senior Karolina Hajkova rounded out the day, adding a second place mark in the 100 backstroke. 
 
Sophomore Timothy Gallagher claimed his first individual championship with a time of 48.01 in the 100 backstroke, only two-tenths faster than the second-place finisher. Junior John Clark was the only other 'Bow to claim a top-three finish, placing second in the 200 free.
 
Clark joined fellow junior Tim Masten, sophomore Justin Lisoway, and freshman Sean Hogan for a second-place finish in the 400 medley relay.
 
Saturday will be the final day and conclude the MPSF Championships; action is scheduled to start at approximately 8 a.m. HT.