Houston right-handed pitcher Alex Solis (8) pitching for the first inning during an NCAA baseball game, Tuesday, March 26, 2025, in Houston, Texas. | Gillian Wisniewski/Cougar

Houston baseball cruised to its second straight win, overpowering Stephen F. Austin 9-2. Thanks to standout pitching and offense that backed it up, the Cougars sent the Lumberjacks back to Nacogdoches with a chip on their shoulder. 

Solis sets the tone

Sophomore pitcher Alex Solis shone throughout the night, earning his first win of the season. Through six strong innings, he allowed just four hits and two runs while striking out eight. Solis’ eight strikeouts doubled his previous record of four against Kansas. 

Solis wasted no time in making his presence known, retiring the first three batters on just seven pitches. Even as the Lumberjacks threatened in the second with runners in scoring position, Solis remained calm, striking out the next three batters to escape the jam unscathed. 

“He (Solis) was fantastic,” junior infielder Tyler Cox said. “He’s got absolutely electric stuff and when he can get his pitches going in different directions, he keeps hitters off balance.” 

The bullpen kept Solis’ momentum alive, allowing only two hits over the final three innings without giving up a single walk. The Cougars’ pitching staff finished the night with 11 strikeouts, silencing SFA’s offense. 

Cox Leads Offense

While Houston’s pitching kept the game on lock, the Cougars’ bats took charge as they stunned the Lumberjacks. 

Cox cut through SFA’s pitching, driving in a career high 4-RBIs on three hits. 

Cox started his offensive onslaught in the third inning, knocking a single up the middle to bring in the Cougars’ second run. He added two more runs in the sixth with another single, extending Houston’s lead to 7-2. Cox capped off his performance with an RBI double in the eighth before returning to the dugout. 

Houston takes early lead 

Sophomore outfielder Tre Broussard opened the first with a sharp double down the left-field line and quickly stole third for his 16th stolen base of the season. Junior catcher Kenneth Jimenez, who played designated hitter, followed with a clean single, sending Broussard home for an early 1-0 lead. 

Even after getting ahead, Houston kept the pressure on. After a single by sophomore outfielder Xavier Perez and a sacrifice bunt from senior third baseman Aaron Lugo, the bases were loaded. Junior infielder Carsten Sabathia drew a walk, bringing in another run and making it 2-0. 

“We had our minds sharp and we were ready to play today,” Cox said. 

Securing the win 

The Cougars took advantage of SFA’s mistakes in the fourth. After an error in the fourth inning allowed senior designated hitter Kenneth Jimenez to reach first, he sparked an undeniable momentum for the Cougars. Even though he was tagged out at home, junior outfielder Cade Climie delivered a clutch two-RBI double down the left field line, pushing the score to 4-1.

Redshirt freshman outfielder Evan Haeger added to the tally in the eighth after a stolen base and a throwing error advanced him to third. Sophomore infielder Anthony Avalos knocked an infield single to bring Haeger home, extending the Cougars’ lead to 8-2. Cox added his final RBI soon after, locking in the 9-2 victory.

With their win, the Cougars improve to 14-10 on the season as they prepare to take on TCU at Schroeder Park. The Cougars will face the Horned Frogs on Friday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

sports@thedailycougar.com

—
“Houston baseball chops down ‘Jacks in record shattering 9-2 victory” was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston pitcher Ranci Willis (15) prepares to pitch the ball during an NCAA softball game, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar

Houston softball fell 3-0 in its lone matchup against Oklahoma State on Sunday at Cowgirl Stadium after inclement conditions caused partial cancellation of the originally scheduled three-game series.

A scoreless first inning set the stage for either team to take advantage in the second frame.

While the Cougars were not able to generate any offense, the Cowgirls captured a 1-0 lead when an Oklahoma utility reached on an error and senior infielder Megan Bloodworth hit a triple down center field for the first run of the matchup.

Houston never responded, recording its only hit in the fourth inning.

Oklahoma extended its lead in the bottom of the fifth as Bloodworth continued to find success at the plate, hitting a solo home-run to left field pushing the Cowgirls lead to two runs.

Eyeing a complete shutout, Oklahoma hit a single through the left for the last run of the game, moving Houston’s deficit to the final score of 3-0.

Defensively the Cougars showed promise holding the offense powered Cowgirls to three runs, marking only the eight game of the year in which Oklahoma recorded three runs or fewer.

With the loss, the Cougars are now 16-8 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

Up next

Houston heads home for its rescheduled midweek matchup against Lamar on Tuesday, March 18.

sports@thedailycougar.com

—
“Houston softball shutout by No. 14 Oklahoma State in weather-shortened series” was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston juniors Isabella Lojewski and Gigi Casten prepare to race against TCU sophomore Amanda Ulicny in the women’s 200 Free during an NCAA college swim and dive meet, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar

Houston’s swimming and diving team made a lasting impact at the Big 12 Championship meet, held Feb. 25 to March 1 at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash. 

The Cougars dominated the diving events throughout the five-day competition, ultimately clinching the title in the category. Their strength in the swimming lanes also played a crucial role in their success, securing Houston a third-place finish overall.

Houston’s bronze finish

The Cougars ended their championship bid with 1,211.5 points, just behind Arizona (1,240) and champion No. 14 Arizona State (1,695). 

Houston held a 357.5-point lead over their fourth-place opponent, TCU.

The Cougars reached the podium once again in their second appearance at the Big 12 Championship. 

With a strong foundation, standout talent and an big presence in the Big 12, Houston has put the rest of the conference on notice. 

Houston’s silver streak 

On the second-to-last day of competition, Houston’s winning streak was highlighted by multiple second-place finishes, sealing their podium finish. 

Senior Adelaide Meuter finished in second place with a time of 1:56.85 in the A-finals of the 200-yard butterfly, improving her previous third-fastest record. 

Sophomore Sydney Nethercutt (1:57.99) followed closely behind in third, while junior Noor El Gendy (1:59.22) earned sixth and senior Abbie Alvarez (1:59.22) took seventh. 

Sophomore Nora Hetyei clocked in at 1:59.83 for 10th and freshman Kristina DiPietro finished 14th in the event for the Cougars, touching the wall at 2:01.66. 

Senior Henrietta Fangli broke her own program record twice in the 100-yard breaststroke finals and preliminaries, earning second place in the A-finals with a 58.12, just .03 seconds away from first. 

Also in the A-finals, sophomore Evelyn Entrekin clocked in at 59.69 for sixth. In the B-finals, junior Virag Peter won ninth overall with a time of 1:00.66. 

In the 100-yard backstroke, freshman Lottie Cullen earned another second-place finish for the Cougars as she touched the wall at 52.28. 

Sophomore Elizabeth Jimenez claimed fourth with a time of 53.17.

Junior Liya Goupil, freshman Sienna Bruner, junior Jenna Kerkman and Jimenez finished seventh in the 200-yard freestyle event, clocking in at 1:31.42. 

Arizona State continued to lead the championship with 1,210 points. Houston rose to second with 926.5 points, while Arizona fell to third with 864.

Houston dominates day one 

Houston’s swimming & diving team made a powerful statement on the first day of competition, racking up 170 points to take an early lead and put the rest of the Big 12 on notice. 

Graduate Hedda Grelz, sophomore Michelle McLeod and graduate Emilia Waters worked together in team diving to score 306.00 and add 64 championship points to the Cougars’ total. 

In the 800-yard freestyle, Goupil, Entrekin, Jimenez and Bruner raced to a third-place finish with a time of 7:11.96, securing the Cougars 54 points. 

Cullen, Fangli, El Gendy and Kerkman came within reach of breaking a program record in the 200-yard medley relay. They finished in fourth with a time of 1:37.85, just .38 seconds away from rewriting the record books. 

As the first day wrapped up, Houston sat atop the leaderboard, edging Arizona State (168 points) and Arizona (157 points). 

Houston loses the first-place spot but remains in the top three 

Houston lost their grasp on the competition’s top spot, falling to third as stronger performances from Arizona State and Arizona pushed them down the leaderboard. Despite the setback, the Cougars battled fiercely to stay in contention. 

Grelz, Houston’s only top-ten finisher in the diving preliminaries, proved the Cougars weren’t backing down. 

She placed eighth in the A-finals of the 1-meter event, scoring 280 points. McLeod, Waters and freshman Caroline Roelen placed 10th (275.15), 12th (264.70) and 13th (264), respectively, in the B-finals.

Goupil punched her ticket to the B-finals of the 50-yard freestyle after swimming the second-fastest time (22.59) in program history in the preliminaries. 

She finished first in the B-Finals, taking ninth overall after clocking in at 22.47. Her time was just .05 off from the program record. 

Entrekin led Houston in the 200-yard IM, placing eighth with a 2:01.90. Hetyei (14th) and Kerkman (16th) followed with times of 2:01.33 and 2:02.75, respectively. At the same time, Peter dominated the C-finals, taking 17th with a 2:00.36.

Kerkman also made history in the 200-yard IM preliminaries, posting the 10th fastest 200-yard IM time in program history, while Fangli set a personal record with 2:03.47

Freshman Mariana Cote led the charge in the 500-yard freestyle. After securing a B-final spot with a personal-best 4:52.52 in the preliminaries, she powered through to win her heat and claim ninth place with a time of 4:50.56. 

Freshman Kaeli White followed in 16th (4:53.43) and Nethercutt took 23rd (4:57.16).

Arizona State led the competition with 544 points, followed by Arizona with 409.5 and Houston with 352.

The Cougars shatter records on third day of competition 

The Cougars delivered another strong performance, setting new records and securing key finishes as the championship continued.

Cullen, Fangli, El Gendy and Goupil broke program records during the 400-yard medley relay, placing third at 3:31.95. Their B-Finals finish shattered the Cougars record for the second time this season. 

Unfortunately, Goupil’s 1:47.06 time in the 200-yard freestyle kept her out of the B-finals. However, that time improved her fifth-fastest time in program history, resetting the record books. 

Freshman Alexandra Curcan also swam her personal best in the 200-yard freestyle preliminaries at 1:52.81. 

In the 100-yard butterfly, Meuter placed fourth, clocking in at 53.19. She was quickly followed by El Gendy, touching the wall at 53.32 for sixth.

Meuter and El Gendy also excelled in the 400-yard medley relay preliminaries, swimming 53.29 and 53.05, respectively. Their finishes punched their tickets to the B-finals. 

Hetyei swam the ninth fastest time in team history during the 400-yard individual medley, finishing at 4:18.86 for 10th place. 

In the 3-meter springboard finals, McLeod scored 283.30 to receive second place. Grelz secured eighth with a 270.30, Waters took 12th overall with a 269.05 and Roelen placed 13th with a 253.50.

Arizona State continued to lead at the end of the night with a score of 898, followed by Arizona (632.5) and Houston (616). 

Houston wraps up the competition, securing a third-place finish

On the last day of competition, Houston sealed their podium spot by locking out any challengers with flashy final performances. 

Fangli and Peter dominated the 200-yard breaststroke preliminaries, placing third (2:11:24) and fourth (2:11.44), respectively. Peter surged to second place in the final (2:09.92), while Fangli secured fourth at 2:10.74. 

In the 200-yard backstroke, Jimenez qualified for finals with a 1:55.33 in preliminaries before finishing in fourth at 1:55.95. 

Graduate Danielle Titus improved on her time (1:57.10), touching the wall at 1:56.22 for 11th place. 

Cullen made the most significant jump, dropping from 14th in preliminaries (1:57.82) to a ninth-place B-finals finish with a blazing 1:54.28. 

Distance swimmers also excelled in the grueling 1,650-yard freestyle. Nethercutt posted a 16:37.60, locking in a fourth-place finish. Cote followed in 10th place with a time of 16:43.37.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Goupil, Bruner, Kerkman and Jimenez combined for a seventh-place finish, clocking in at 3:22.18. 

Goupil secured a spot in the 100-yard freestyle B-finals after scoring ninth overall in the preliminaries, but despite a strong effort, she slipped to 11th with a time of 49.84. 

On the diving platform, McLeod earned second place in the finals with a score of 293.55. Waters added to Houston’s tally, taking 11th in the B-finals with 232.90.

Next, Houston will travel to Iowa City, Iowa, to compete in the NCAA Diving Zones. The event will be broadcast on ESPN+ from March 10 to March 12.

sports@thedailycougar.com

—
“UH swimming & diving secures third place at Big 12 Conference Championships” was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston juniors Isabella Lojewski and Gigi Casten prepare to race against TCU sophomore Amanda Ulicny in the women’s 200 Free during an NCAA college swim and dive meet, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar

Houston’s swimming and diving team made a lasting impact at the Big 12 Championship meet, held Feb. 25 to March 1 at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash. 

The Cougars dominated the diving events throughout the five-day competition, ultimately clinching the title in the category. Their strength in the swimming lanes also played a crucial role in their success, securing Houston a third-place finish overall.

Houston’s bronze finish

The Cougars ended their championship bid with 1,211.5 points, just behind Arizona (1,240) and champion No. 14 Arizona State (1,695). 

Houston held a 357.5-point lead over their fourth-place opponent, TCU.

The Cougars reached the podium once again in their second appearance at the Big 12 Championship. 

With a strong foundation, standout talent and an big presence in the Big 12, Houston has put the rest of the conference on notice. 

Houston’s silver streak 

On the second-to-last day of competition, Houston’s winning streak was highlighted by multiple second-place finishes, sealing their podium finish. 

Senior Adelaide Meuter finished in second place with a time of 1:56.85 in the A-finals of the 200-yard butterfly, improving her previous third-fastest record. 

Sophomore Sydney Nethercutt (1:57.99) followed closely behind in third, while junior Noor El Gendy (1:59.22) earned sixth and senior Abbie Alvarez (1:59.22) took seventh. 

Sophomore Nora Hetyei clocked in at 1:59.83 for 10th and freshman Kristina DiPietro finished 14th in the event for the Cougars, touching the wall at 2:01.66. 

Senior Henrietta Fangli broke her own program record twice in the 100-yard breaststroke finals and preliminaries, earning second place in the A-finals with a 58.12, just .03 seconds away from first. 

Also in the A-finals, sophomore Evelyn Entrekin clocked in at 59.69 for sixth. In the B-finals, junior Virag Peter won ninth overall with a time of 1:00.66. 

In the 100-yard backstroke, freshman Lottie Cullen earned another second-place finish for the Cougars as she touched the wall at 52.28. 

Sophomore Elizabeth Jimenez claimed fourth with a time of 53.17.

Junior Liya Goupil, freshman Sienna Bruner, junior Jenna Kerkman and Jimenez finished seventh in the 200-yard freestyle event, clocking in at 1:31.42. 

Arizona State continued to lead the championship with 1,210 points. Houston rose to second with 926.5 points, while Arizona fell to third with 864.

Houston dominates day one 

Houston’s swimming & diving team made a powerful statement on the first day of competition, racking up 170 points to take an early lead and put the rest of the Big 12 on notice. 

Graduate Hedda Grelz, sophomore Michelle McLeod and graduate Emilia Waters worked together in team diving to score 306.00 and add 64 championship points to the Cougars’ total. 

In the 800-yard freestyle, Goupil, Entrekin, Jimenez and Bruner raced to a third-place finish with a time of 7:11.96, securing the Cougars 54 points. 

Cullen, Fangli, El Gendy and Kerkman came within reach of breaking a program record in the 200-yard medley relay. They finished in fourth with a time of 1:37.85, just .38 seconds away from rewriting the record books. 

As the first day wrapped up, Houston sat atop the leaderboard, edging Arizona State (168 points) and Arizona (157 points). 

Houston loses the first-place spot but remains in the top three 

Houston lost their grasp on the competition’s top spot, falling to third as stronger performances from Arizona State and Arizona pushed them down the leaderboard. Despite the setback, the Cougars battled fiercely to stay in contention. 

Grelz, Houston’s only top-ten finisher in the diving preliminaries, proved the Cougars weren’t backing down. 

She placed eighth in the A-finals of the 1-meter event, scoring 280 points. McLeod, Waters and freshman Caroline Roelen placed 10th (275.15), 12th (264.70) and 13th (264), respectively, in the B-finals.

Goupil punched her ticket to the B-finals of the 50-yard freestyle after swimming the second-fastest time (22.59) in program history in the preliminaries. 

She finished first in the B-Finals, taking ninth overall after clocking in at 22.47. Her time was just .05 off from the program record. 

Entrekin led Houston in the 200-yard IM, placing eighth with a 2:01.90. Hetyei (14th) and Kerkman (16th) followed with times of 2:01.33 and 2:02.75, respectively. At the same time, Peter dominated the C-finals, taking 17th with a 2:00.36.

Kerkman also made history in the 200-yard IM preliminaries, posting the 10th fastest 200-yard IM time in program history, while Fangli set a personal record with 2:03.47

Freshman Mariana Cote led the charge in the 500-yard freestyle. After securing a B-final spot with a personal-best 4:52.52 in the preliminaries, she powered through to win her heat and claim ninth place with a time of 4:50.56. 

Freshman Kaeli White followed in 16th (4:53.43) and Nethercutt took 23rd (4:57.16).

Arizona State led the competition with 544 points, followed by Arizona with 409.5 and Houston with 352.

The Cougars shatter records on third day of competition 

The Cougars delivered another strong performance, setting new records and securing key finishes as the championship continued.

Cullen, Fangli, El Gendy and Goupil broke program records during the 400-yard medley relay, placing third at 3:31.95. Their B-Finals finish shattered the Cougars record for the second time this season. 

Unfortunately, Goupil’s 1:47.06 time in the 200-yard freestyle kept her out of the B-finals. However, that time improved her fifth-fastest time in program history, resetting the record books. 

Freshman Alexandra Curcan also swam her personal best in the 200-yard freestyle preliminaries at 1:52.81. 

In the 100-yard butterfly, Meuter placed fourth, clocking in at 53.19. She was quickly followed by El Gendy, touching the wall at 53.32 for sixth.

Meuter and El Gendy also excelled in the 400-yard medley relay preliminaries, swimming 53.29 and 53.05, respectively. Their finishes punched their tickets to the B-finals. 

Hetyei swam the ninth fastest time in team history during the 400-yard individual medley, finishing at 4:18.86 for 10th place. 

In the 3-meter springboard finals, McLeod scored 283.30 to receive second place. Grelz secured eighth with a 270.30, Waters took 12th overall with a 269.05 and Roelen placed 13th with a 253.50.

Arizona State continued to lead at the end of the night with a score of 898, followed by Arizona (632.5) and Houston (616). 

Houston wraps up the competition, securing a third-place finish

On the last day of competition, Houston sealed their podium spot by locking out any challengers with flashy final performances. 

Fangli and Peter dominated the 200-yard breaststroke preliminaries, placing third (2:11:24) and fourth (2:11.44), respectively. Peter surged to second place in the final (2:09.92), while Fangli secured fourth at 2:10.74. 

In the 200-yard backstroke, Jimenez qualified for finals with a 1:55.33 in preliminaries before finishing in fourth at 1:55.95. 

Graduate Danielle Titus improved on her time (1:57.10), touching the wall at 1:56.22 for 11th place. 

Cullen made the most significant jump, dropping from 14th in preliminaries (1:57.82) to a ninth-place B-finals finish with a blazing 1:54.28. 

Distance swimmers also excelled in the grueling 1,650-yard freestyle. Nethercutt posted a 16:37.60, locking in a fourth-place finish. Cote followed in 10th place with a time of 16:43.37.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Goupil, Bruner, Kerkman and Jimenez combined for a seventh-place finish, clocking in at 3:22.18. 

Goupil secured a spot in the 100-yard freestyle B-finals after scoring ninth overall in the preliminaries, but despite a strong effort, she slipped to 11th with a time of 49.84. 

On the diving platform, McLeod earned second place in the finals with a score of 293.55. Waters added to Houston’s tally, taking 11th in the B-finals with 232.90.

Next, Houston will travel to Iowa City, Iowa, to compete in the NCAA Diving Zones. The event will be broadcast on ESPN+ from March 10 to March 12.

sports@thedailycougar.com

—
“UH swimming & diving secures third place at Big 12 Conference Championships” was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston juniors Isabella Lojewski and Gigi Casten prepare to race against TCU sophomore Amanda Ulicny in the women’s 200 Free during an NCAA college swim and dive meet, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar

Houston’s swimming and diving team made a lasting impact at the Big 12 Championship meet, held Feb. 25 to March 1 at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash. 

The Cougars dominated the diving events throughout the five-day competition, ultimately clinching the title in the category. Their strength in the swimming lanes also played a crucial role in their success, securing Houston a third-place finish overall.

Houston’s bronze finish

The Cougars ended their championship bid with 1,211.5 points, just behind Arizona (1,240) and champion No. 14 Arizona State (1,695). 

Houston held a 357.5-point lead over their fourth-place opponent, TCU.

The Cougars reached the podium once again in their second appearance at the Big 12 Championship. 

With a strong foundation, standout talent and an big presence in the Big 12, Houston has put the rest of the conference on notice. 

Houston’s silver streak 

On the second-to-last day of competition, Houston’s winning streak was highlighted by multiple second-place finishes, sealing their podium finish. 

Senior Adelaide Meuter finished in second place with a time of 1:56.85 in the A-finals of the 200-yard butterfly, improving her previous third-fastest record. 

Sophomore Sydney Nethercutt (1:57.99) followed closely behind in third, while junior Noor El Gendy (1:59.22) earned sixth and senior Abbie Alvarez (1:59.22) took seventh. 

Sophomore Nora Hetyei clocked in at 1:59.83 for 10th and freshman Kristina DiPietro finished 14th in the event for the Cougars, touching the wall at 2:01.66. 

Senior Henrietta Fangli broke her own program record twice in the 100-yard breaststroke finals and preliminaries, earning second place in the A-finals with a 58.12, just .03 seconds away from first. 

Also in the A-finals, sophomore Evelyn Entrekin clocked in at 59.69 for sixth. In the B-finals, junior Virag Peter won ninth overall with a time of 1:00.66. 

In the 100-yard backstroke, freshman Lottie Cullen earned another second-place finish for the Cougars as she touched the wall at 52.28. 

Sophomore Elizabeth Jimenez claimed fourth with a time of 53.17.

Junior Liya Goupil, freshman Sienna Bruner, junior Jenna Kerkman and Jimenez finished seventh in the 200-yard freestyle event, clocking in at 1:31.42. 

Arizona State continued to lead the championship with 1,210 points. Houston rose to second with 926.5 points, while Arizona fell to third with 864.

Houston dominates day one 

Houston’s swimming & diving team made a powerful statement on the first day of competition, racking up 170 points to take an early lead and put the rest of the Big 12 on notice. 

Graduate Hedda Grelz, sophomore Michelle McLeod and graduate Emilia Waters worked together in team diving to score 306.00 and add 64 championship points to the Cougars’ total. 

In the 800-yard freestyle, Goupil, Entrekin, Jimenez and Bruner raced to a third-place finish with a time of 7:11.96, securing the Cougars 54 points. 

Cullen, Fangli, El Gendy and Kerkman came within reach of breaking a program record in the 200-yard medley relay. They finished in fourth with a time of 1:37.85, just .38 seconds away from rewriting the record books. 

As the first day wrapped up, Houston sat atop the leaderboard, edging Arizona State (168 points) and Arizona (157 points). 

Houston loses the first-place spot but remains in the top three 

Houston lost their grasp on the competition’s top spot, falling to third as stronger performances from Arizona State and Arizona pushed them down the leaderboard. Despite the setback, the Cougars battled fiercely to stay in contention. 

Grelz, Houston’s only top-ten finisher in the diving preliminaries, proved the Cougars weren’t backing down. 

She placed eighth in the A-finals of the 1-meter event, scoring 280 points. McLeod, Waters and freshman Caroline Roelen placed 10th (275.15), 12th (264.70) and 13th (264), respectively, in the B-finals.

Goupil punched her ticket to the B-finals of the 50-yard freestyle after swimming the second-fastest time (22.59) in program history in the preliminaries. 

She finished first in the B-Finals, taking ninth overall after clocking in at 22.47. Her time was just .05 off from the program record. 

Entrekin led Houston in the 200-yard IM, placing eighth with a 2:01.90. Hetyei (14th) and Kerkman (16th) followed with times of 2:01.33 and 2:02.75, respectively. At the same time, Peter dominated the C-finals, taking 17th with a 2:00.36.

Kerkman also made history in the 200-yard IM preliminaries, posting the 10th fastest 200-yard IM time in program history, while Fangli set a personal record with 2:03.47

Freshman Mariana Cote led the charge in the 500-yard freestyle. After securing a B-final spot with a personal-best 4:52.52 in the preliminaries, she powered through to win her heat and claim ninth place with a time of 4:50.56. 

Freshman Kaeli White followed in 16th (4:53.43) and Nethercutt took 23rd (4:57.16).

Arizona State led the competition with 544 points, followed by Arizona with 409.5 and Houston with 352.

The Cougars shatter records on third day of competition 

The Cougars delivered another strong performance, setting new records and securing key finishes as the championship continued.

Cullen, Fangli, El Gendy and Goupil broke program records during the 400-yard medley relay, placing third at 3:31.95. Their B-Finals finish shattered the Cougars record for the second time this season. 

Unfortunately, Goupil’s 1:47.06 time in the 200-yard freestyle kept her out of the B-finals. However, that time improved her fifth-fastest time in program history, resetting the record books. 

Freshman Alexandra Curcan also swam her personal best in the 200-yard freestyle preliminaries at 1:52.81. 

In the 100-yard butterfly, Meuter placed fourth, clocking in at 53.19. She was quickly followed by El Gendy, touching the wall at 53.32 for sixth.

Meuter and El Gendy also excelled in the 400-yard medley relay preliminaries, swimming 53.29 and 53.05, respectively. Their finishes punched their tickets to the B-finals. 

Hetyei swam the ninth fastest time in team history during the 400-yard individual medley, finishing at 4:18.86 for 10th place. 

In the 3-meter springboard finals, McLeod scored 283.30 to receive second place. Grelz secured eighth with a 270.30, Waters took 12th overall with a 269.05 and Roelen placed 13th with a 253.50.

Arizona State continued to lead at the end of the night with a score of 898, followed by Arizona (632.5) and Houston (616). 

Houston wraps up the competition, securing a third-place finish

On the last day of competition, Houston sealed their podium spot by locking out any challengers with flashy final performances. 

Fangli and Peter dominated the 200-yard breaststroke preliminaries, placing third (2:11:24) and fourth (2:11.44), respectively. Peter surged to second place in the final (2:09.92), while Fangli secured fourth at 2:10.74. 

In the 200-yard backstroke, Jimenez qualified for finals with a 1:55.33 in preliminaries before finishing in fourth at 1:55.95. 

Graduate Danielle Titus improved on her time (1:57.10), touching the wall at 1:56.22 for 11th place. 

Cullen made the most significant jump, dropping from 14th in preliminaries (1:57.82) to a ninth-place B-finals finish with a blazing 1:54.28. 

Distance swimmers also excelled in the grueling 1,650-yard freestyle. Nethercutt posted a 16:37.60, locking in a fourth-place finish. Cote followed in 10th place with a time of 16:43.37.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Goupil, Bruner, Kerkman and Jimenez combined for a seventh-place finish, clocking in at 3:22.18. 

Goupil secured a spot in the 100-yard freestyle B-finals after scoring ninth overall in the preliminaries, but despite a strong effort, she slipped to 11th with a time of 49.84. 

On the diving platform, McLeod earned second place in the finals with a score of 293.55. Waters added to Houston’s tally, taking 11th in the B-finals with 232.90.

Next, Houston will travel to Iowa City, Iowa, to compete in the NCAA Diving Zones. The event will be broadcast on ESPN+ from March 10 to March 12.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“UH swimming & diving secures third place at Big 12 Conference Championships” was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston juniors Isabella Lojewski and Gigi Casten prepare to race against TCU sophomore Amanda Ulicny in the women’s 200 Free during an NCAA college swim and dive meet, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar

Houston’s swimming and diving team made a lasting impact at the Big 12 Championship meet, held Feb. 25 to March 1 at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash. 

The Cougars dominated the diving events throughout the five-day competition, ultimately clinching the title in the category. Their strength in the swimming lanes also played a crucial role in their success, securing Houston a third-place finish overall.

Houston’s bronze finish

The Cougars ended their championship bid with 1,211.5 points, just behind Arizona (1,240) and champion No. 14 Arizona State (1,695). 

Houston held a 357.5-point lead over their fourth-place opponent, TCU.

The Cougars reached the podium once again in their second appearance at the Big 12 Championship. 

With a strong foundation, standout talent and an big presence in the Big 12, Houston has put the rest of the conference on notice. 

Houston’s silver streak 

On the second-to-last day of competition, Houston’s winning streak was highlighted by multiple second-place finishes, sealing their podium finish. 

Senior Adelaide Meuter finished in second place with a time of 1:56.85 in the A-finals of the 200-yard butterfly, improving her previous third-fastest record. 

Sophomore Sydney Nethercutt (1:57.99) followed closely behind in third, while junior Noor El Gendy (1:59.22) earned sixth and senior Abbie Alvarez (1:59.22) took seventh. 

Sophomore Nora Hetyei clocked in at 1:59.83 for 10th and freshman Kristina DiPietro finished 14th in the event for the Cougars, touching the wall at 2:01.66. 

Senior Henrietta Fangli broke her own program record twice in the 100-yard breaststroke finals and preliminaries, earning second place in the A-finals with a 58.12, just .03 seconds away from first. 

Also in the A-finals, sophomore Evelyn Entrekin clocked in at 59.69 for sixth. In the B-finals, junior Virag Peter won ninth overall with a time of 1:00.66. 

In the 100-yard backstroke, freshman Lottie Cullen earned another second-place finish for the Cougars as she touched the wall at 52.28. 

Sophomore Elizabeth Jimenez claimed fourth with a time of 53.17.

Junior Liya Goupil, freshman Sienna Bruner, junior Jenna Kerkman and Jimenez finished seventh in the 200-yard freestyle event, clocking in at 1:31.42. 

Arizona State continued to lead the championship with 1,210 points. Houston rose to second with 926.5 points, while Arizona fell to third with 864.

Houston dominates day one 

Houston’s swimming & diving team made a powerful statement on the first day of competition, racking up 170 points to take an early lead and put the rest of the Big 12 on notice. 

Graduate Hedda Grelz, sophomore Michelle McLeod and graduate Emilia Waters worked together in team diving to score 306.00 and add 64 championship points to the Cougars’ total. 

In the 800-yard freestyle, Goupil, Entrekin, Jimenez and Bruner raced to a third-place finish with a time of 7:11.96, securing the Cougars 54 points. 

Cullen, Fangli, El Gendy and Kerkman came within reach of breaking a program record in the 200-yard medley relay. They finished in fourth with a time of 1:37.85, just .38 seconds away from rewriting the record books. 

As the first day wrapped up, Houston sat atop the leaderboard, edging Arizona State (168 points) and Arizona (157 points). 

Houston loses the first-place spot but remains in the top three 

Houston lost their grasp on the competition’s top spot, falling to third as stronger performances from Arizona State and Arizona pushed them down the leaderboard. Despite the setback, the Cougars battled fiercely to stay in contention. 

Grelz, Houston’s only top-ten finisher in the diving preliminaries, proved the Cougars weren’t backing down. 

She placed eighth in the A-finals of the 1-meter event, scoring 280 points. McLeod, Waters and freshman Caroline Roelen placed 10th (275.15), 12th (264.70) and 13th (264), respectively, in the B-finals.

Goupil punched her ticket to the B-finals of the 50-yard freestyle after swimming the second-fastest time (22.59) in program history in the preliminaries. 

She finished first in the B-Finals, taking ninth overall after clocking in at 22.47. Her time was just .05 off from the program record. 

Entrekin led Houston in the 200-yard IM, placing eighth with a 2:01.90. Hetyei (14th) and Kerkman (16th) followed with times of 2:01.33 and 2:02.75, respectively. At the same time, Peter dominated the C-finals, taking 17th with a 2:00.36.

Kerkman also made history in the 200-yard IM preliminaries, posting the 10th fastest 200-yard IM time in program history, while Fangli set a personal record with 2:03.47

Freshman Mariana Cote led the charge in the 500-yard freestyle. After securing a B-final spot with a personal-best 4:52.52 in the preliminaries, she powered through to win her heat and claim ninth place with a time of 4:50.56. 

Freshman Kaeli White followed in 16th (4:53.43) and Nethercutt took 23rd (4:57.16).

Arizona State led the competition with 544 points, followed by Arizona with 409.5 and Houston with 352.

The Cougars shatter records on third day of competition 

The Cougars delivered another strong performance, setting new records and securing key finishes as the championship continued.

Cullen, Fangli, El Gendy and Goupil broke program records during the 400-yard medley relay, placing third at 3:31.95. Their B-Finals finish shattered the Cougars record for the second time this season. 

Unfortunately, Goupil’s 1:47.06 time in the 200-yard freestyle kept her out of the B-finals. However, that time improved her fifth-fastest time in program history, resetting the record books. 

Freshman Alexandra Curcan also swam her personal best in the 200-yard freestyle preliminaries at 1:52.81. 

In the 100-yard butterfly, Meuter placed fourth, clocking in at 53.19. She was quickly followed by El Gendy, touching the wall at 53.32 for sixth.

Meuter and El Gendy also excelled in the 400-yard medley relay preliminaries, swimming 53.29 and 53.05, respectively. Their finishes punched their tickets to the B-finals. 

Hetyei swam the ninth fastest time in team history during the 400-yard individual medley, finishing at 4:18.86 for 10th place. 

In the 3-meter springboard finals, McLeod scored 283.30 to receive second place. Grelz secured eighth with a 270.30, Waters took 12th overall with a 269.05 and Roelen placed 13th with a 253.50.

Arizona State continued to lead at the end of the night with a score of 898, followed by Arizona (632.5) and Houston (616). 

Houston wraps up the competition, securing a third-place finish

On the last day of competition, Houston sealed their podium spot by locking out any challengers with flashy final performances. 

Fangli and Peter dominated the 200-yard breaststroke preliminaries, placing third (2:11:24) and fourth (2:11.44), respectively. Peter surged to second place in the final (2:09.92), while Fangli secured fourth at 2:10.74. 

In the 200-yard backstroke, Jimenez qualified for finals with a 1:55.33 in preliminaries before finishing in fourth at 1:55.95. 

Graduate Danielle Titus improved on her time (1:57.10), touching the wall at 1:56.22 for 11th place. 

Cullen made the most significant jump, dropping from 14th in preliminaries (1:57.82) to a ninth-place B-finals finish with a blazing 1:54.28. 

Distance swimmers also excelled in the grueling 1,650-yard freestyle. Nethercutt posted a 16:37.60, locking in a fourth-place finish. Cote followed in 10th place with a time of 16:43.37.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Goupil, Bruner, Kerkman and Jimenez combined for a seventh-place finish, clocking in at 3:22.18. 

Goupil secured a spot in the 100-yard freestyle B-finals after scoring ninth overall in the preliminaries, but despite a strong effort, she slipped to 11th with a time of 49.84. 

On the diving platform, McLeod earned second place in the finals with a score of 293.55. Waters added to Houston’s tally, taking 11th in the B-finals with 232.90.

Next, Houston will travel to Iowa City, Iowa, to compete in the NCAA Diving Zones. The event will be broadcast on ESPN+ from March 10 to March 12.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“UH swimming & diving secures third place at Big 12 Conference Championships” was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston infielder Connor McGinnis (17) and left-handed pitcher Antoine Jean (7) celebrate in the air after a home run, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Houston, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar

Houston claimed its second straight series win as they overtook Berkley 2-1 Friday-Sunday with wins on each end of the trip.

The Cougars had a longer layoff than expected with both of their midweek road matchups getting canceled due to weather, but the rest aided them as their pitchers worked heavily in their series the weekend prior.

Ryan Dollar strikes gold on the mound as Houston wins

After a tumultuous opening day start, junior pitcher Ryan Dollar delivered a dominant performance on the mound, helping Houston secure a 6-4 victory over Berkeley. 

Dollar was in complete control through 5.2 innings, allowing only three hits and striking out six while allowing only one earned run in the bottom of the fifth. His stellar performance surpassed his previous season highs of three innings pitched with five strikeouts as he stunned the Golden Bears. 

After cruising through Berkeley’s lineup early, Dollar faced some trouble in the bottom of the sixth when California started a rally. With two outs, sophomore infielder PJ Moutzouridis hit a single and sophomore infielder Dominic Smaldino earned a walk. Dollar then passed the torch to senior pitcher Brady Fuller.

Fuller, however, struggled with his command, walking another to load the bases. With the Cougars’ lead in jeopardy, sophomore pitcher Alex Solis entered and successfully escaped the jam, striking out sophomore utility Jacob French looking to leave the inning unscathed. 

The Cougars’ offense capitalized early, breaking the game open with three runs in the third inning, highlighted by junior infielder Connor McGinnis’ two-run double. McGinnis also flaunted his speed, stealing third base before scoring on an error.

Houston tacked on three more runs in the fifth, thanks to sharp baserunning and a clutch single from junior outfielder Jake Tatom. 

California made a late push, cutting the deficit to 6-4 in the eighth and pushing across an unearned run in the ninth. However, sophomore pitcher Richie Roman stood strong, stranding the tying run in scoring position to seal the win and his third save of the season. ‘

Houston falls to Berkley amind a scoring slump 

Houston fought hard but couldn’t overcome a quiet offense and a rough sixth inning, falling 5-1 and tying the series against Berkeley.

The Cougars struggled at the plate against Berkeley’s redshirt freshman pitcher Gavin Eddy who held them hitless through five innings. Houston’s earliest chance came in the first when junior infielder Cade Climie and McGinnis worked back-to-back walks, but a strikeout and a flyout ended the threat.

Junior pitcher Paul Schmitz was able to keep Houston in the fight, limiting the Golden Bears to two runs in the third, but in the sixth trouble brewed fast. Sophomore infielder Jarren Advincula sparked Berkeley’s rally with a leadoff single before stealing third. A walk forced Houston to the bullpen, but junior reliever Chris Scinta gave up an RBI single and hit a batter, loading the bases. Moments later, an infield hit and a throwing error put the score at 5-0, pulling the game out of reach.

Houston’s lone run came in the ninth when sophomore two-way hitter Xavier Perez singled and sophomore infielder Anthony Avalos knocked him in with a deep single to right field. However, that was all the offense the Cougars could generate before a lineout ended their bid. 

Houston closes series with win over Berkeley

Houston’s bats came alive as the Cougars powered past Berkeley 7-4 in the last game of the series.

Sophomore outfielder Tre Broussard set the tone, batting 3-for-5 with a solo home run, a double and two stolen bases. McGinnis also had a big day at the plate, finishing with three hits, two RBIs and a stolen base of his own. 

If Broussard and McGinnis weren’t terrifying enough for the Golden Bears, Climie came prepared, reaching base twice with a three-run bomb in the ninth to seal the game. 

Houston’s pitching kept Berkely’s bats quiet for most of the game. Senior pitcher Graysen Drezek earned the win, tossing five innings with just one unearned run and two hits. Graduate pitcher Antoine Jean followed with 3.1 innings, striking out five despite surrendering two runs.

Berkeley answered Broussard’s third inning solo shot to right field by capitalizing on an error in the bottom half. Their momentum was short lived, though, as the Cougars’ fifth inning outburst restored control with a 5-1 lead. Climie’s home run drove in junior infielder Tyler Cox and Broussard, and a sacrifice lineout from junior infielder Carsten Sabathia gave the Cougars some breathing room. 

Smaldino provided Berkeley’s biggest chance with a three-run homer in the ninth, putting the game at 7-4. Unfortunately for the Golden Bears, Roman came prepared to lock in his fourth save of the season, striking out two batters for the final outs.

With this win, Houston improves to 5-2 on the season, securing the series victory as they head home to face Sam Houston Bearkats on Tuesday at Schroeder Park. The game is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“Houston baseball sends Berkeley Bears into hibernation with series win” was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston infielder Connor McGinnis (17) on a run during the third inning of an NCAA college baseball game, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Houston, Texas. | Joshua Braggs/The Cougar

After a blowout loss in their season opener, Houston baseball came back with a vengeance as they secured back-to-back wins to take the series over Minnesota 

Game 1

Houston struggled in their season opener on Friday, suffering a crushing 14-3 loss to Minnesota at Schroeder Park. 

Minnesota seized a four-run lead within the first inning as Houston struggled to catch up. Houston’s pitching stumbled from the first pitch as junior starter Ryan Dollar lasted only two-thirds of an inning before being pulled. The seven pitchers used from the bullpen didn’t fare much better, allowing 11 additional runs as the game continued. 

Houston’s offense remained silent until the sixth inning when sophomore outfielder Tre Broussard put a hit on the board with a single to left-center field. Junior infielder Cade Clime responded with an error-ridden single-turned-triple, that drove Broussard home. To finish the inning, junior infielder Carsten Sabathia hit Houston’s first home run of the season to make it 13-3.

Minnesota’s pitching staff shut out the Cougars, with sophomore pitcher Cole Selvig striking out six over six innings and junior reliever Joe Sperry keeping the rest of the game scoreless. 

Even with home-field advantage, Houston could not generate enough offense to stay in the game.

Game 2

Despite being out-hit 5-4, Houston relied on their baserunning and pitching to secure a 4-2 victory Saturday.

Pitching proved to be the difference in Houston’s redemption. Junior starting pitcher Paul Schmitz delivered a strong performance through six innings, allowing just two runs while striking out six. Sophomore relievers Alex Solis and Richie Roman combined for three shutout innings, with Roman securing the save.

The Cougars came in hot in the first inning when Clime scored on a double from junior infielder Connor McGinnis. Although Minnesota briefly took the lead in the third with a two-run homer from junior outfielder Drew Berkland, McGinnis answered in the fifth with a two-run blast of his own to center field, successfully putting the Cougars back on top. 

A crucial insurance run came in the sixth when senior outfielder Irvin Weems scored on a wild pitch, bringing the Cougars one batter closer to a win. 

Minnesota threatened the Cougars in the eighth, loading the bases with no outs after a single, double and hit-by-pitch. Solis took control, forcing a double play that cut down the lead runner at home. He followed up by forcing a fielder’s choice and finishing the inning unscathed. 

Houston’s defense finished the game strong, securing the victory and tying the series 1-1.

Game 3

Houston held off a late Minnesota rally to secure an 8-7 victory and close the series with a winning record on Sunday.

The game was a back-and-forth battle as both teams sought to take the series. Minnesota struck first in the third inning with a home run from sophomore infielder Charlie Sutherland and two doubles. However, Houston responded immediately as they stole a 3-2 lead in the bottom after a wild pitch and a two-run double from senior infielder Aaron Lugo. Lugo continued to have a standout night at the plate, batting 3-for-4 with a double, triple and three RBIs.

Minnesota continued to challenge the Cougars as they tied the game in the fourth, but Houston answered with runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings to reclaim control. 

Houston secured their win in the seventh inning as they tacked on three additional runs.

Junior outfielder Jake Tatom’s RBI single and junior infielder Tyler Cox’s sacrifice fly extended the lead to 8-7, putting the Cougars in position to close it out. The game was then left up to the pitchers to secure the win.

On the mound, Houston used seven pitchers, with graduate starter Antoine Jean earning the win and Roman securing his second save of the season. Minnesota challenged Houston for the last time in the ninth, taking advantage of a throwing error to cut the lead down to one. With the tying run on base, Roman shut the door with a strikeout, locking in the victory.

The Cougars improved to 2-1 on the season, an improbable turnaround after the opener.

Next up, Houston will travel to UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Tuesday to face No. 18 Texas. The game is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“Houston baseball strikes back to take season-opening series against Minnesota” was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston Guard Emanuel Sharp (21)  against Baylor Guard Jeremy Roach (3) during the first half of an NCAA college men’s basketball game, Monday, Feb.10, 2025, in Houston, Texas. | Joshua Braggs/The Cougar

No. 6 Houston men’s basketball will travel to Tucson, Ariz. to face the No. 13 Arizona Wildcats. Houston currently leads the Big 12 conference by a single game, and with Arizona close behind, a loss could shake up the standings. 

Tough road for the Cougars

Arizona, boasting an 11-1 home record, thrives in one of the most intimidating arenas in the country. The Wildcats’ deafening crowd makes McKale Center a brutal environment for all visiting teams. Houston must be at its best to withstand the pressure. 

Historically, the Cougars and Wildcats are tied at six wins a piece in their 12 previous meetings. The winner of Saturday’s game will tip the all-time record in their favor. The last time these two teams met in 2022, Houston secured a 72-60 victory. However, this time, the stakes are even higher with the Cougars’ first-place spot on the line. 

Keys to Success

For the Cougars to secure a win, their defense must be a priority. Arizona is a high-scoring team, so applying pressure, limiting turnovers and dictating the pace will be essential. Anticipating a tough defensive battle, coach Kelvin Sampson emphasized decision-making and discipline leading up to the game.

“What they’ve learned is not necessarily how not to turn it over,” Sampson said. “But how to make better decisions.”

In their recent 76-65 win against Baylor, Houston allowed only four offensive rebounds and turned the ball over seven times. Offensively, the Cougars shot 50.9% from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range. The Cougars played with confidence and took more shots, outperforming the Bears despite their 57.9 FG% and 60% accuracy from beyond the arc. 

Houston will need to continue their defensive brand of basketball to overpower Arizona’s efficiency.

“Defense has been the main focus,” graduate guard L.J. Cryer said. “We gotta get back to being us, and just go out there and lock down on defense.”

Arizona averages 43.7% FG and maintains a 12.5-point margin over opponents. The Wildcats also continue to dominate the boards with an average of 40.9 points from rebounds. To limit second-chance opportunities, Houston must control the glass and minimize openings.

 Sticking to their game

Despite Arizona’s strengths, the Cougars remain committed to their own style of play.

“We wanna go in there and play our game,” Cryer said.

The Cougars pride themselves on toughness, efficiency and strong team chemistry which have been key factors in their success. Rather than adapting to Arizona’s tempo, they plan to dictate the flow and play how they always have.

“We just gotta come in there and be who we are,” redshirt junior guard Emmanuel Sharp said. “We gotta play to our culture and be tough.”

The opponent 

This game will likely be determined by a battle of the backcourt, where Houston must stand their ground against Arizona’s experienced guards. The Wildcats shoot an impressive 47.4% from the field, but the Cougars remain unphased. 

“We’re approaching this like every other game,” redshirt sophomore guard Terrance Arcenaux said. “We go in and practice with the same mindset every day.”

Arizona’s graduate guard Caleb Love, a 6’4 veteran known for his explosive scoring potential, poses a major threat. Averaging 15.6 points per game, Love scores efficiently no matter where he is on the court. 

“We got to get up in him,” Sharp said. “We got to respect him. We can’t come out lackadaisical and lazy, and let them throw the first punch.”

Another key contributor is Arizona’s sophomore guard KJ Lewis, a 6’4 senior guard averaging 11.4 points at home with a 52.1 FG%. 

Junior guard Jaden Bradley’s ability to read defense will also challenge Houston’s perimeter. Bradley has a knack for forcing turnovers and disrupting passes. He also wields an 82.8 free throw percentage, making it imperative that the Cougars do not send him to the line.

While the guard’s performance is critical, the Cougars emphasize their whole-team approach. Their foundation relies on relentless defense and unity on the court. 

“It’s not just one-on-one basketball, we need all five people guarding the ball,” Cryer said. “Just having each other’s back is the main thing.”

The Cougars will tip off against the Wildcats on Saturday at 1 p.m. at McKale Memorial Center ESPN.

sports@thedailycougar.com

—
“No. 6 Houston men’s basketball set for showdown against No. 13 Arizona in tight conference race” was originally posted on The Cougar