An outpouring of support from the Wyoming swim team

I cannot imagine how to comfort the families of the three University of Wyoming swimmers who died in a traffic accident on Route 287 in northern Colorado on February 22nd.

Longtime UW Athletics coach Tom Berman, who had to find the right words, said they are dealing with the tragedy as humanly possible.

But we all know that life will never be the same for the loved ones of 21-year-old Luke Slabber, 19-year-old Charlie Clark, and 18-year-old Carson Muir. Or about two University of California swimmers who survived a shipwreck and are now released from the hospital.

You can feel the atmosphere of grief just by walking around the athletics facility and talking to coaches and athletes who are dealing with the shock and grief of this cruel loss.

“Our team is having a hard time coming to grips with the reality of suddenly losing three of our friends and teammates,” he said after the Cowgirls managed to advance to last weekend's Mountain West championship against Wisconsin State University. said swimming coach Dave Denniston. We wish all members of our program and coaching staff resilience as we mourn the loss of Charlie Clark, Carson Muir, and Luke Slabber.

“We appreciate the outpouring of support from the University of Wyoming community, Wyoming State, Mountain West Conference coaches, athletes, and members of swimming and diving programs across the country as we work through this difficult situation,” Time said. ”

Surprisingly, it was Colorado State, the team's fiercest rival, that provided the Cowgirls and Cowboys with the empathy and support they needed during their darkest moments.

A day after the devastating accident, CSU posted a photo on social media of swimmer Rachel Saxon preparing to compete in the Rams' conference championship with the words “WYO”, a heart on her arm and a UW sticker. Posted. 's iconic “Steamboat” prancing horse is on the cheek.

This image, taken by my Green and Gold colleague and friend Mike Brohard, moved many Brown and Gold fans I know to tears.

The Cowgirls also expressed their feelings on their sleeves — on their bare arms, to be exact — with the names of their fallen teammates written in magic marker.

“I don't think anyone was okay (there),” CSU swimmer Megan Hager said when asked about competing against and cheering on Aodai during the emotional MW meet in Houston. '' he told the Denver Post. “Frankly, I'm surprised and still impressed and admire their ability to stay here, because frankly, I don't think I could have done that. Frankly, I wouldn't have been able to do that after receiving news like that. To be honest, I would have withdrawn from the match and gone straight home.

“But they're out there, they're showing up, and they're still doing really well. And it's incredible and their (toughness), I mean, 'Cowgirl Tough I think it's real proof of what it means to be. And I think they're really showing that to everyone right now. ”

Tara Joyce of the Cowgirls won the 200-yard freestyle, and Carly Palmer received the Senior Recognition Award for her performances in the 200-yard individual medley, 100-yard breaststroke and 100-yard freestyle.

The 800-meter freestyle relay was won by Joyce, Palmer, Mycin Klymczak and Kari Hranokowiak.

Brynley Bascall, Heidi Billings, Alicia Gonzalez, and Nettie Knapton were also all in the MW cast as the school record list went down.

The Cowboys opened the WAC Championship this week by placing second and third in the first two relay events. The university also performed well at Thursday's event in Pharr, Texas, moving it up to fourth place.

“Our guys swam with a lot of grit and broken hearts,” Denniston said. “I’m really proud of the never-quit attitude and great energy that they all bring to the pool, which is a tribute to their teammates and friends.”

The University of Wisconsin has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help the victims' families pay for funerals, transportation and other expenses.

Men's team members Clark and Slover were from Las Vegas and Cape Town, South Africa, respectively. Muir, a member of the women's team, is from Birmingham, Alabama.

The goal was to raise $60,000. As I am typing this Friday morning, the total donations are $133,813.

“It's not surprising,” UC women's basketball coach Heather Ezell said of the outpouring of support. She said, “We are a close-knit community. We always talk about 'One Wyoming,' but it's not just a phrase we use; it's a reality.

“We all support each other and we're a family. And when you lose someone, whether it's your team or not, it affects all of us.” That's how we are. It shows how tense it is. ”

Sadly, other generations of cowgirls and cowboys had to go through this hellish situation.

In September 2010, University of California football player Ruben Narcisse, 19, of Miami, was killed on Route 287, six miles south of the Wyoming border, after the driver of his car fell asleep at the wheel. He collided and died.

Justin Lambert Belanger, 20, of Timmins, Ontario, September 2001. Kody Brown, 21, of Hudson, Colorado. Kyle Johnson, 20, of Riverton. Joshua Jones, 22, of Salem, Oregon. Morgan McClelland, 21, of Gillette. Kevin Salverson, 19, of Cheyenne; Nicholas Chabron, 20, of Laramie; and Douglas resident Shane Shutt, 19, were killed in a two-vehicle crash south of Laramie on Route 287 near Tie Siding.

“I'm a father of four and two kids who drive,” University of Vienna men's basketball coach Jeff Linder said. “I've driven the 287 so many times that I don't know how dangerous it is. I understand,” he said. There are too many accidents on this road, so if anything good comes from it, there will be some change where that motorway is widened to 4 lanes, similar to Tieside Siding. I hope so. We know why. Happened. ”

Last winter, the Poke's bus slipped off Owl Canyon Road in a snowstorm while returning from a game at Air Force.

Linder's team must have been thinking about the swimmers heading south on U.S. 287 toward Fort Collins on Friday.

“I just pray for the families, pray for the parents, pray for the survivors. Obviously it's going to be difficult and then it's just the swimming and diving program,” Linder said. Ta.

A moment of silence will be observed before Saturday's game between the Cowboys and Rams at Moby Arena.

The kindness and love from the other side of the border war says it all.