Denver Swimming and Diving Wraps Up Opening Weekend

Friday, October 2

Fort Collins, Colo.

5 p.m. MT

University of Denver

Front Range Invite

Day 2 Results Day 1 Results

Denver Swimming and Diving Wraps Up Opening Weekend

10/3/2026 3:16:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving

Day 2 Results

Hamish McLellan and Pierce Bickerton picked up individual wins on Saturday afternoon

By: Niko Blankenship

DENVER – The University of Denver men's and women's swimming and diving programs closed out the 2026-27 opening weekend with the final day of the Front Range Invite in both Fort Collins (swimming) and Colorado Springs (diving) on Saturday afternoon.

Standings:
Men's:
Air Force 1182
Wyoming 1041
Denver 822

Women's:
Air Force 949
Wyoming 765
Colorado State 645
Northern Colorado 614
Denver 574

Event Winners:
Women's 200 Medley Relay – Isa Cardenas, Tinkara Novak, Julia Saxman, Tenaya Winter – 1:43.41
Men's 100 Fly – Hamish McLellan – 48.49
Men's 200 Free – Pierce Bickerton – 1:41.18

How it Happened:
Denver opened the second day of the season with a win in the women's 200 medley relay. The quartet of Isa Cardenas, Tinkara Novak, Julia Saxman and Tenaya Winter combined for a time of 1:43.41.

In the men's medley relay, Quinn Collins, Kito Campbell, Hamish McLellan and Viktor Hristov turned in a time of 1:31.85 to take second.

Denver's IMers earned a pair of podium spots in the women's 400 on Saturday. Sabrina Rachjaibun finished second in 4:32.81 and Lilly Zippel took third in 4:33.89.

Nico Morton turned in another Denver podium performance in the men's 400 IM, clocking in at 4:05.87 to take second. Cota Clise finished fifth in 4:12.61.

The Pioneers first individual win of the day came in the men's 100 fly when McLellan reached the wall in 48.49.

Pierce Bickerton and Hristov earned Denver's first 1-2 of the season when the duo finished the 200 free in 1:41.18 and 1:42.00, respectively.

Campbell got Denver's next podium spot, taking second in the men's 100 breast, getting to the wall in 56.31.

Cardenas got Denver 15 points in the women's 100 back, earning fourth with a time of 57.75. Samantha Synsvoll had a 57.98 to take sixth.

In the final distance race of the weekend, Finn Holdredge swam the mile in 16:12.11 to take second.

Denver's freestyle relays rounded out the swimming portion of the meet. The Pioneer women finished fourth and the men took second. McLellan, Benjamin Stone, Jack Andrew and Hristov swam the second-place finish with a 3:04.80.

UP NEXT:
Denver will have a week off before heading to Colorado Springs for double duals against Air Force and Washington State. The October 16 meet will begin at 5 p.m. MT.

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