LONG BEACH, Calif. (Dec. 1) -- The University of Denver men's and women's swimming teams got their west-coast trip off to a good start on Wednesday, as both swept triangular meets at the Belmont Plaza complex in Long Beach, Calif. The men (3-1) defeated Cal Poly 33-10 and UC-Irvine 32-11, while the women (3-1) swept both schools by scores of 33-10 and 31-12, respectively.

The men won all four individual events and the lone relay. Sophomore Brian Keats (Toronto, Ontario / North Toronto HS / Univ. of New Mexico) was the lone double-winner of the meet, taking the men's 50-yard backstroke in a time of 24.89 and the 100 individual medley in 55.22. Senior Rikki Rikardson (Reykjavik, Iceland / Ægir HS / Sund JC) won the 50 butterfly, while junior Tim Grams (Littleton, Colo. / Columbine HS) took the 50 breaststroke in 27.79.

The Pioneer women won two of the four individual races and the relay. Sophomore Helen Rychecky (Littleton, Colo. / Heritage HS) won the night's first race, the 50 fly, by nearly a full second by touching in 26.99. Junior co-captain Kerith Kanaber (Littleton, Colo. / St. Mary's Academy) won the 50 breast in 31.70.

In addition, the men won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:27.53, while the women took the same race in 1:41.36.

Denver begins the three-day Speedo Cup at the same Belmont Plaza pool on Thursday.

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