Colorado State earned a strong victory over Idaho Saturday afternoon, splitting on the day during a double dual meet against the Vandals (165-135) and San Diego State Aztecs (187.5-112.5). San Diego State improved to 10-0 on the season, also beating Idaho, 193.5-106.5.
“We showed a lot more fight this week,” Head Coach Christopher Woodard said. “They never got deterred and just kept battling, which I’m happy about.”
The Rams (2-3) started the meet slow, earning just 12 points through the first four events. That changed during the fifth event – the 100 Breaststroke – when junior Cristina Bassani won the event with a time of 1:05.35. Just behind her was teammate Tess Simpson (1:05.72), giving CSU 13 points in that event alone.
Several events later, the breaststroke was again CSU’s stronghold, going 1-2 with sophomore Megan Lloyd (2:22.97) and Bassani (2:23.20) finishing first and second, respectively. Sophomore Jenna Beaury swam to a fourth-place finish (2:26.61), earning an additional two points for the team.
“She’s been battling a bit of a nagging injury,” Woodard said of Bassani. “She didn’t feel her best in warmups, but she came out and raced like she knows she’s capable of. She’s developing into a great competitor.”
The diving squad continued to be solid for CSU, totaling 23 points. Junior Ariana Milone won the 3-Meter boards with a season-best score of 306.65, while senior Mary Kate Hardy (272.40) and freshman Erin Taylor (271.40) scored third and fourth. On the 1-Meter boards, the trio was again dominant, with Hardy finishing second (260.40), followed by Taylor (255.90; third) and Milone (250.45; fourth).
“The divers again came up big, especially in the 3-Meter,” Woodard said. “They continue scoring points for us.”
CSU saw strong performances from several other athletes Saturday, including Katie Kicklighter (second place in the 50 Freestyle, third in the 100 Freestyle),Jessica Shepard (second in the 100 Backstroke, third in the 200 Backstroke, fourth in the 200 IM), Colleen Olson (third in the 200 Freestyle), Lloyd (third in the 200 Butterfly), Madison Evans (1000 Freestyle), Karin Roh (fifth in the 200 Freestyle, fifth in the 50 Freestyle), Alexandra Jacobs (fifth in the 200 Butterfly) and Simpson (fifth in the 100 Butterfly).
The Rams will compete at home for the third-straight week next Saturday, hosting New Mexico State at 11 a.m. MT.
College Swimming News courtesy of Colorado State Rams.
Congrats to the Rams and Colleen o!