Fresno State Athletics
Stepping Out of Comfort Zones
9/5/2000 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
This season Fresno State is looking down the barrel of a tough season. With an endless line of hard-hitting opponents the Bulldogs are going to have to pull together and harness all the skills that they possess. With a deep pool of talent , the key for the season will be the 'Dogs' mindset and their versatility.
Starting out after six short weeks of preparation, the 2000-01 season opener is at the Pacific Invitational in mid-October, which includes potential top 25 teams such as Nevada, Pacific and Fresno State. The team will continue tough competition with three intense national competitions. The University of Southern California Diving Invitational in November, the Speedo Cup Swimming Invitational and the U.S. Open Championships in December. If they post qualifying times, it would be the first time in the modern era that Fresno State has competed in the U.S. Open. Entering the second half of the season, Fresno State will have 8 meets on the slate (including a tough trip to Oregon State) including 3 home meets with the likes of Pacific, a dual meet with University of North Texas and Cal Poly, and San Jose State. They will then complete the season with the Western Athletic Conference championships at the end of February in San Antonio, Texas, the NCAA championships, as well as USA Swimming and Diving Nationals in March.
Versatility will be key as this year's team will be asked to step outside of their comfort zones and be willing to take on events other than their specialty events. The mindset of the team will make all the difference in their overall performance this season and their greatest opponent will be the unknown.
The Bulldogs are returning 15 swimmers from last years team that went 10-3 in dual meets and finished fourth in the WAC. In some events such as the freestyle and the 400 individual medley and backstroke events, they are returning the core of their swimmers these events. In others, such as the 200 individual medley, the group is completely fresh. With key positions left vacant from by graduation, crossover into new events is essential.
Ninth year head coach Daniella Irle has faith that her swimmers will step up and take on new responsibilities. Irle, who has guided the Bulldogs to five consecutive 10-win seasons, is also sure that the divers will need to have the same mindset. The squad will have three solid divers this season with the potential to help guide the program to new heights.
"They are going to have to be a very versatile team," Irle said. "I think the success of this team lies with the returners' willingness to take on new event responsibilities, and they definitely have the ability to do it."
The team has measured its needs and set its sights high. It will be critical for the newcomers to step forward and contribute immediately. The 15 returners boast a WAC champion, four record holders and nine top five school record holders, who will lead the way for the newcomers.
Freestyle
The freestyle events, which is traditionally one of the best area of events for the Bulldogs, will be a fierce group once again the year. Depending on the versatility of a couple of key swimmers, this will be a very strong scoring event for the 'Dogs this upcoming season.
Senior Jennifer Brown will make a large impact in the middle distance freestyle events. She earned twenty-one top three finishes and holds the fourth fastest time in the 500 free at Fresno State. Brown will also be asked to anchor the middle distance events as well as the breaststroke events. Junior Tami Bazacos and will need to have a breakout year if the 'Dogs are going to be successful. Senior Heidi Olsen will also return to fill out the group.
The sprint freestyle events will be lead by seniors Jesie Lewis and Summir Case, both who competed in the USA nationals last year. Senior Lena Darnell will also impact this group having had a lifetime best year last season earning the second fastest time in the 50 free (23.97) and the 100 free (52.01). The 'Dogs also add Chandra Riberich, a talented freshman.
For the distance free, the `Dogs are returning both the number one and two spots. Junior Julie Enright holds Bulldogs' season best time and owns Fresno State's second fastest all-time mark in the 1650 free (17:04.98). She will be complimented by sophomore Deanna Braun who had an impressive freshman year and holds the third-fastest season time in the 1000 free (10:27.40).
Filling out the distance events will be sophomore Jessica Klenner who completed an impressive freshman year and holds the fourth-fastest season time in the 1650 free (17:27.70). Brown and senior Temple Cowden, a IM/fly specialist, will also be assisting in these events from time to time.
Freshmen Nichole Siebert and Kristi Collins will be newcomers to the freestyle events and will fill the need to complete this group
"Freestyle will be an extremely tough racing group. We're deep in all those events, and probably over all, one of our stronger areas."
Backstroke
The Bulldogs were strong in the backstroke events last year but they are going to be even stronger this year. This event will showcase a large core of the team's talent.
All three of the top backstrokers from last year are returning. Case, a 2000 Olympic Selection Qualifier participant, and WAC champion in the 100, is back for the number one spot. Also returning this year is sophomore Bethany Starkweather who holds the second fastest time for the 200 back and the third fastest for the 100 back, and also senior Laurel Frisinger, who has the second fastest time in the 100 back and the third fastest time in the 200 back.
Newcomer, freshman Julian Hill, will challenge for the number two or three spot. Hill holds high school records in every backstroke event as well as four league records and four conference records. Hill is expected to develop into one of the WAC's best backstrokers.
"We are not hurting in this area at all. We're faster all the way across the board, and that group will be tough racers."
Breaststroke
The performance of the breaststrokers will be key for the team's success. The number one spot in the breast could be left open at times as Brown will be needed to crossover to other events. The remaining swimmers will be depended on to embrace their new roles and new faces will be asked to contribute immediately.
Senior Kristi Markiewitz is coming off of what Irle calls the best season of her swimming career. Markiewitz received the Bulldogs' Flex award and holds third-fastest time in the 200 breast(2:23.19). Sophomore Holly Calcote also returns this year, as does Olsen. Calcote holds the fourth-fastest time in 100 breast (1:05.68).
The `Dogs also add freshman Greer McGettrick who captured first place wins in the 100 (1:15.98) and 200 (2:47.55) meter breast in the Western Zone Championship this past summer. In addition, McGettrick will be asked to adjust quickly to the pressure and demand of collegiate competition and assert herself aggressively.
"Holly, Kristi and Greer have a burden to step up so that we can move Jen around a little, but I have faith that they will. I am positive that this group can get it done."
Butterfly
The `Dogs are strong in the top spots in the butterfly events but have some holes in the three and four spots.
Frisinger was the top 100 flyer on last year's team and is completely prepared to carry that weight again this year. Frisinger accomplished a lifetime best at the WAC championships last year on the 400 medley relay (57.10). The number one flyer in the 200 fly also returns. Cowden holds the schools all-time fifth fastest time in that event and also earned a lifetime best last season.
Bazacos will have to step up and assume some greater responsibility for the 100 fly. Bazacos currently holds the second fastest time in the 100 fly (58.93). Hill, who is primarily a backstroker, has also shown Irle some strong fly skills, while Collins also has demonstrated strong potential. Collins qualified three consecutive years in the 100 fly at the Nevada State Championships. Filling out the 100 group will be Siebert, who will add some needed depth.
In the 200 fly, Klenner made a large impact on mile event last season, and Irl will need her skill have to crossover to add depth in this event as she did last year. Junior Kristin Miller will challenge Klenner for the number two spot after recording the fifth fastest time in the 200 fly last season.
"We are not deep which does concern me a little, but I think our swimmers understand what needs to happen and if they do we will be better than we have ever been. Again we will need to rely on our team's versatility and their desire to take on new challenges."
Individual Medley
The 400 IM will be the cause of many nightmares for opposing coaches. One of the strongest weapons in the Bulldogs' arsenal, this event will be unbelievably tough to beat. All of the top three spots for the 400 IM are returning in Cowden, Miller, and Starkweather. Showcasing all three of the WAC's top three spots on the same team, the 'Dogs are planning to keep it that way.
The 200 IM is a bit unsure for Irle. With the number one spot vacated last season Irle has no proven replacement.
The 200 IM will be a complete crossover event for everyone. Cowden will take the role as the top IM swimmer although she did not swim that event in conference last year. Miller, Hill and Markiewitz will be battling for the number two spot.
"I can guarantee that no one will want to go up against us in the 400. In the 200, I know that that they can do it, we just need to get them to believe it."
Relay Events
The Bulldogs look solid for the relays. The `Dogs have some very dependable returners in these events as well as some strong fresh talent.
The `Dogs return three of the four 200 relay swimmers and three of the four 400 relay people along with the core of the sprinters.
The 200 and 400 free relay events boast the top three spots of the 1999 record breaking team in Lewis, Case and Darnell. Returning and adding depth to these two events will be Riberich, Brown and a host of others.
The four sports for the 800 free could be chosen from Lewis, Brown, Darnell, Cowden, Miller and Bazacos. All are returning from last year's relay team making the selection for these spots a close battle. In addition, there are a few others who have the ability to contribute as well.
The 200 and 400 medley relay will be lead by Case. Case held the number one spot last year and will be hard to dislodge, but Hill will be challenging her for it. The leading role of the breaststroke will most likely be shared by Brown and Calcote, and challenged by McGettrick.
The butterfly leg of the relay will be lead by Frisinger, but with Hill pushing her all the way. Bazacos, also with the skill for fly, will not slip out quietly from that competition without a fight. Klenner could also slip into the 100 fly, as well as Cowden and Miller.
The freestyle relay is Lewis' to control. She holds the school record for the 50 and 100 freestyle and was a part of the record holding 400 and 200 free relay teams. On her heels will be Darnell, who holds the fifth fastest all-time record for the 100 free and was part of the 200 and 400 relay teams as well.
"We literally have an A and B relay team which could trade punches and be two deep on everything as far as the medley relays are concerned. We should be very solid in our relays."
Diving
Second year diving coach Chunhua Zhao will have a stronger program this year with three divers as opposed to a solo diver last season. All three divers are first year divers for the Bulldogs. This trio will have to be versatile like the swimmers. They all specialize in the springboard but will need to work on improving or developing their skills on the tower.
Incoming freshman Nicole Recupito will be the veteran diver of the group. Having had a strong year at Northwestern high school in Kokomo Ind., including qualifying for Indiana state championships as well as diving at the USA Junior Olympic Diving Championships, Irle feels that Recupito will become the dominant scorer for the team.
Cara Caporusso is a junior college transfer who will add some strong skills to the program as well. She has placed two years consecutively in the top 10 at the California state competitions.
Sophomore Kristin Hermanson was recruited out of high school but went into cheerleading first. She was a part of a strong championship high school team and holds some impressive scorings at local championships.
"We are going to bring them along slowly. We're going to allow them to develop at a comfortable rate, and I hope they understand that the sooner the better because we need them."
Mindset is the Key
For the team's desire to lead them to victory it will need to be intense. It will have to burn past fear, fatigue and mindset. They will attain that victory by stoking that fire, and letting their desire to win replace all else. Comfort zones will be obliterated and opposing teams will follow. With the insurmountable talent they possess, fear of the unknown is their only enemy.
"We are going to be ready and we are going to do well. Why? Because we have no option."
