PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State swim team completed the second half of their season, finishing eighth at the 2019 Pac-12 Championships. The Cougars posted 10 WSU Top-10 times, including the school record in the 200 breast. The Cougars also saw their first NCAA qualifier, Mackenzie Duarte, since the 2010 season.

The Cougars are ranked second in the Pac-12 based on improvement from this time last year, according to an article released by SwimSwam. Washington State improved 52%, sitting just behind Utah who are at a 53% improvement.

"Cougar swimming is quickly on the rise," said head coach Matt Leach. "If you look at our mid-season performance and our conference improvement, you could say that we are the quickest rising team out there. We have a long way to go, but I am very excited for our future! Along with our improvement in the pool, we have also made big strides in the classroom. Having our first NCAA qualifier in nine years shows how quickly this program is rising! It's a great time to be a Cougar! GO Cougs!"

Sophomore Mackenzie Duarte has had an outstanding performance this year – making her way to the NCAA Championships. Duarte touched the wall in 2:09.47 in the 200 breast at the Pac-12 Championships to secure a spot in the finals and a chance to compete at NCAAs. Duarte ultimately finished seventh at the conference championships, the highest placing in program history. The Walnut Creek, Calif. native is no stranger to success, having the second-highest number of wins on the team this season. The sophomore breaststroker has earned 11 wins this season, including two wins over then-No. 14 Arizona and then-No. 25 Arizona State. Duarte is also a member of the 400 medley relay team that took home first against Arizona. 

Sophomore Taylor McCoy has also been impressive in the pool this year – earning 14 wins and leading the team in four individual events. The Pullman, Wash. native took home wins in the 100 back over Arizona, 200 IM over Arizona and Arizona State, and the 400 IM over Arizona. The sophomore backstrokeris proving to be an asset to the Cougars, etching her name in the WSU Top-10 in four individual events just this year – 100 and 200 back and 200 and 400 IM.

Freshman Keiana Fountaine has had an impressive rookie campaign, earning twelve individual wins and is a member of nine winning relays. Fountaine found her niche in the 100 free early this season, breaking the school record at the mid-season invite after touching the wall in 49.67. Fountaine also sits in the WSU Top-10 in the 200 free at 1:47.30 – less than a second off of the school record.

The breaststrokers are a driving force for the Cougars this season, as each is in the WSU Top-10. Senior Linnea Lindberg finished her Cougar career second in the 100 breast, touching the wall in 1:01.06. Lindberg also won the National Invitational title in the 50 breast, clocking a 28.01. Freshman Lauren Burckel has her name in the WSU Top-10 in three individual events. Burckel clocked an impressive 2:12.51 in the 200 breast at the Pac-12 Last Chance Invite to sit third in the Top-10. The Albuquerque, N.M. native is also tenth in the 200 IM and eighth in the 100 breast.

Junior Ryan Falk saw her name in the WSU Top-10 in three individual events after the Pac-12 Championships. Falk clocked an impressive 16:37.56 in the 1650 free for third all-time. The Portland, Ore. also sits fourth in the 1000 and 500 free – sitting just tenths of a second from moving up to third in those respective events.

Sophomore Chloe Larson has had a stellar performance for the Cougars this year – earning her first win as a Cougar. Larson is currently fifth in the 50 free and sixth in the 100 free in the WSU Top-10.