BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – Colorado Mesa University earned four All-American honors on the final day of competition at the 2017 NCAA Div. II Swimming and Diving National Championships Saturday (March 11).

"I am pleased with how this group of swimmers and divers finished, what was a very successful season overall," said head coach Geoff Hanson. "Everyone who made the trip to Birmingham, men and women, swimmers and divers, battled hard for five days and came away with many great performances and a meet to be proud of. We had a lot of firsts and bests for the CMU Swimming and Diving program this week...the first women's relays to compete at NCAAs, the highest placing men's relay ever, the highest placing individual male ever, the most points scored and highest team finishes ever, and highest number of All-American performances ever. All in all, this was a great meet for the program and a foundation that we can continue to build on as we move toward being one of the best swimming and diving programs in the nation."

The Mavericks collected a pair of fifth place finishes, Mary Saiz in the 200 back (1:58.54) and Sam Bryant in the 1,650 free (15:20.63).

Kelsey Vreeman finished sixth on the three-meter (445.85) and Cassi Blakeman was eighth (404.85). Brittany Dixon finished 17^th (386.95), and Abby Smith was 21^st (354.65).

"Wow! What a week for the divers," said diving coach Logan Pearsall. "We qualified a school record six divers into the meet from Black Tuesday. We had a school record six All-Americans, as well as two women in one event, which has never happened before. Our divers believed in the process and succeeded to great heights. For Kelsey and Noah to come into finals as freshman and surprise the country, it really speaks to the level our divers are achieving.  Our divers, alumni and current, have worked hard at shaping the program into what it is. I couldn't be more proud of our swimming and diving program!"

The men's team finished 17^th with 103 points. The women's team placed 22^nd with 55 points.

Ryan Gifford broke the only school-record of the day for CMU when he swam 2:01.01 in the 200 breast to finish 20^th.

The men's 400 free relay of Sky Hirsch, Sam Bryant, Noah Beaver and Morgan Bean finished 18^th in a time of 3:01.49.

The women's 400 free relay of Marissa Bradley, Mary Saiz, Sam White and Eryn Leonard placed 21^st in the 400 free relay in a time of 3:28.54.

Eric Berg finished 27^th in the 200 back (1:51.82), and Josh Bedford was 28^th in the 200 breast (2:05.44).