The Mountain West Conference Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships will take place Feb. 22 through 25 at the OCCC Aquatic Center. The first event will begin at 12:30 p.m.

For more than a decade now, OCCC has hosted the Mountain West Conference Swimming and Diving Championships. The Aquatic Center takes a lot of pride in being involved in the event, OCCC Director of Recreation and Fitness Roxanna Butler said.

“It is an honor to bring such a prestigious event to Oklahoma City,” she said. “One more opportunity to showcase our amazing natatorium,” she said.

Each year the MWC staff, coaches, athletes and spectators comment about the wonderful hospitality they receive in Oklahoma. Everyone is friendly, and goes out of the way to make them feel at home.

The number one ranked team in the conference is San Diego State with a 16-0 overall record. Not far behind is the Air Force, at 15-2 overall. Other teams still fighting for the number two slot are Boise State, 9-2 and also Wyoming 11-4.

“The Conference has always been pleased with the facility improvement we have made over the previous years,” Butler said.

“They are always looking for the latest technology and want the best for their athletes.”

The Moutain West Swimming and Diving meet in Oklahoma City also creates a homecoming for two local swimmers. Boise State freshmen Megan Myers hales from Broken Arrow, and graduated from Tulsa Union High School. Myers, a business major, had a prestigious career at Tulsa Union as a threetime state champion in the 500 freestyle and a five-time OSSAA 6A state champion, according to broncosports.com.

Texas Christian University junior Parris Schoppa is one of the more decorated swimmers in Oklahoma history. While at Putnam City North High School, Schoppa broke the Metro Conference record for 50-meter freestyle, according to gofrogs.com. In 2009, Schoppa won the Oklahoma State Championship and was voted Oklahoma High School Swimmer of the Year. Schoppa is a fashion merchandising major who has helped her TCU team to a 13-6 overall record, according to gofrogs.com.

The Mountain West Conference could have chosen other locations in the country to host their swim meet but they specifically chose OCCC, and Roxanna Butler said she believes she knows why.

“The Conference likes the facility,” she said. “But the positive attitude, dedication and commitment of the OCCC staff to see that all their needs are met help them feel confident that each meet will be successful. It is these relationships that make the conference staff and coaches want to return to see their old friends.”

To contact Brandon Willis, email sportswriter@occc.edu.