ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Pepperdine swimming and diving program began the MPSF Championships by setting two new school records and taking home the 200 medley relay championship this evening.
 
The Waves came out ready to go and won the first event of the night as the group of Layla Busquets (Diablo, Calif.), Charli Sunahara (Chino, Calif.), Sophia Ware (Allen, Texas) and Alexandra Browne (Arlington, Va.) clocked a 1:41.84 in the 200 medley relay. Not only was this time good enough to win the event, but it set a new school record by more than half a second - besting the 2023 time set by Browne, Sunahara, Jenna Sanchez and Kylie Taylor.
 
Pepperdine then set another school in the only other event tonight as the squad of Lindsay Hemming (Orinda, Calif.), AJ Adams (Castle Rock, Colo.), Elliot Easton (Tampa, Fla.) and Ansley Halbach (Watkinsville, Ga.) posted a time of 7:28.85 in the 800 free relay to take home a second place finish. The group's time was more than two seconds better than the previous school record that Adams, Halbach, Hemming and Lexi Fok posted in this same championship just a year ago (7:30.98).
 
The Waves sit in first place after their two impressive performances tonight.
 
STANDINGS

1. Pepperdine 74
2. Pacific 72
3. Incarnate Word 64
4. San Diego 62

QUOTABLES
"The Waves had a stellar start to the MPSF Championship and I couldn't have been happier with how tonight's session went," head coach Ellie Monobe said. "We knew the field was going to be incredibly tight and that we would be able to compete for a title, but to also walk away with a school record is a great feeling and a nice reward for all the adversity we've faced. It was great to see Sophia Ware post the fastest split in the 50 fly in the field, and to watch Alexandra Browne anchor with a 22.25. Overall, I was very impressed with our sprint squad. Seeing our 800 free relay step up and execute that race very smartly was awesome. To walk away with a school record in that event was unexpected, but very much deserved. Watching Ansley Halbach have the grittiest finish was a big highlight for us in that event. All-in-all, this has set the tone for our championship and it was much needed. From here, the goal is to keep pushing and executing the way we have been all year."
 
NEXT UP
The Waves will continue with day two of the MPSF Championships starting with swimming prelims at 9 a.m. PT tomorrow. Diving will take place at 11:30 a.m. PT, while the swimming finals will begin at 5 p.m. PT.
 
FOLLOW
Follow @WavesSwimDive on Facebook and Twitter for immediate updates, results and more. Find the Waves on Instagram @waveswimdive. Go to pepperdinewaves.com for all information, releases and schedules.