Fresno State Athletics
Swimming and Diving Prepares for Fall Valley Classic
10/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Oct. 8, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. -
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Looking Ahead
The Fresno State women's swimming and diving team will host its second home meet of its 2001-02 campaign this Saturday, Oct. 13, as Cal State Bakersfield travels north in the San Joaquin Valley. The Fall "Valley" Classic begins at 11 a.m. It is also the second of two meets at home for the Bulldogs to start the season with.
The "Early Bird" Finishes Second
Fresno State has a history of finishing in second place at the Colorado State "Early Bird" Invitational. The 'Dogs have finished in second the last three years and would like to break the streak. Last year the squad scored a school record-high 800 points. They had their closest finish ever versus Colorado State, which captured 875.50 points and the tournament crown. Sophomore Greer McGettrick was a member of the 200 free relay team that finished second. In addition, McGettrick joined senior Jesie Lewis in the 400 medley relay for a second place finish. Lewis also won the 50 (24.56) and 100 (53.24) freestyle events. Sophomore diver Nicole Recupito stepped up for a 10th place finish in the 1-meter dive (294.60.)
Rally for Raley
Freshman diver, Ashleigh Raley (pronounced "Ray-lee) debuted in veteran style as she twisted and turned her way to two first place finishes at the Bulldogs' first home meet of the season on Saturday, Oct. 6. Raley scored 229.20 points in the 1-meter and 244.95 in the 3-meter. Prior to Fresno State she was a District Champion in the 1-meter from 1998-2000 at McNeil High School in Austin, Texas. Freshman diver Lindsey Paulekas stepped in for two third place finishes of her own. She inked 211.95 points in the 1-meter and 219.52 in the 3-meter.
Joining the Ranked
The Bulldogs faced some tough competition this Saturday, Oct. 6, as they hosted two Top 50 schools in No. 7 California and No. 28 Pacific. Versus California, the team scored 112 to the Golden Bears' 182. Against Pacific, the 'Dogs tallied 109 to Tigers' 181. In the Bulldogs' home and season opener, there wasn't much the young squad could do but learn. The 17 freshmen and five upperclassmen took their places knowing what was expected of them. The goal, set by head coach Danielle Irle and her team, was to get the team ready for the Colorado State Invitational. By competing against some big schools, the squad was able to see where they are at a competitive standpoint. The Bulldogs didn't falter as they managed three top three finishes against the elite Golden Bears and Tigers. Lewis clocked a third place time of 24.52 in the 50 free, while Raley and Paulekas combined for four top three finishes in the diving events.
Tip-Top
The squad will compete against seven Top 50 schools from around the nation. Between October and February, the Bulldogs have 17 meets, of which four are at home. Right from the start the squad will set the tone of the season as it faces No. 7 California and No. 28 Pacific for the home opener on Saturday, Oct. 6. On tap next is the "Early Bird" Invitational in Fort Collins, Colo., where the Bulldogs have finished in second place for the past three years and are looking to alter the pattern by taking first. Later, the team travels to Las Vegas, Nev., for No. 42 UNLV Rebel Swimming Invitational from Thursday, Nov.29, through Saturday, Dec. 1. Before facing No. 45 Oregon State at home on Saturday, Jan. 26, the 'Dogs host Cal Poly on Saturday, Dec. 15. Nevada follows Oregon State on Saturday, Feb. 2. Nevada has been a top 15 program in recent years. Finally, in preparation for the WAC Championships in San Antonio, Texas, the Bulldogs will take on rival San Jose State Saturday, Feb. 9. The championships are slated for Thursday, Feb. 28, through Saturday, March 2.
The Wild, Wild West
Of the 23 members of the roster, nine are from out-of-state. They hail from six different western states and one mid-western state, including Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas and Indiana. Lewis moved south from Juneau, Alaska. Freshmen Katie Haney and Jolene Valley arrived from Bend, Ore. Freshman Minja Mickelsen comes from Sumner, Wash. Freshman diver, Lindsey Paulekas moved to California from Laramie, Wyoming. Freshman Jessica Jimenez migrated north from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Joining her were freshman Ashleigh Raley and junior Bethany Starkweather from Austin and Plano, Texas. Sophomore Nicole Recupito headed west from Kokomo, Ind.
Head Coach Daniella Irle
Head swimming and coach Daniella Irle enters her 10th season at the helm of the Bulldogs. She owns an overall record of 87-27 and has finished with a winning record each of the 10 years.. During her tenure, all 19 school records have been broken or reset.
2001-02 Athlete Notes
Kristi Collins: (2001-02) Swam a 2:20.68 in the 200 fly and 1:01.47 in the 100 fly in season opener ... (2000-01) Most Improved Swimmer award ... claimed the season second- fastest time in the 200 IM (2:10.33) and fourth-fastest times in the 100 (:59.68) and 200 (2:18.32) butterfly ... grabbed six top-three finishes.
Jessica Klenner: (2001-02) Swam a 10:50.25 in the 1,000 free, a 2:15.52 in the 200 fly and a 5:21.28 in the 200 breast in the season opener... (2000-01) Finished with 17 top-three finishes with 2 championship swims ... holds the season fastest time in the 200 freestyle (1:53.87lo) ... also holds the season third-fastest times in the 1650 freestyle (17:31.98), 200 butterfly (2:07.22) and 100 butterfly (:59.56) as well as the fourth-fastest time in the 1000 freestyle (10:35.19) ... Dean's List, Fall 2000 semester.
Jesie Lewis: (2001-02) Finished third in the 50 free at 24.52 and swam a 53.97 in the 100 free in the season opener ... (2000-01) Holds the all-time fastest times in the 50 (:23.76) and 100 freestyle (:51.55) events ... also holds the season third-fastest time in the 200 freestyle (1:55.63) ... collected 23 top-three finishes with season-leading 16 championship swims.
Greer McGettrick: (2001-02) Swam a 1:09.03 in the 100 breast and a 2:30.90 in the 200 breast in the season opener ... (2000-01) Best Newcomer award ... holds all-time third-fastest time in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.57) and fourth-fastest in the 200 breaststroke (2:20.72) ... set season fifth-fastest time in he 1650 freestyle (17:54.77) ... has 18 top-three finishes claiming first place seven times.
Nicole Recupito: (2001-02) Finished fifth in the 1-meter dive (191.175) and sixth in the 3-meter (200.17) in the season opener ... (2000-01) Qualified for NCAA Zone Finals in both 1-meter (310.75) and 3-meter (360.35) springboard dive ... holds school record for 1-meter dual dive (284.75) ... collected 18 top-three finishes with 10 winning dives.
Bethany Starkweather: (2001-01) Swam a 2:03.01 in the 200 free a 2:16.67 in the 200 back and a 4:48.53 in the 400 IM in the season opener ... (2000-01) Holds season second-fastest time in the 400 IM (4:33.82), third-fastest in the 200 backstroke (2:09.59), fourth-fastest in the 100 backstroke (1:01.35), fifth-fastest times in the 1000 freestyle (10:49.66) and 500 freestyle (5:15.65) ... has eight top-three finishes.
School Records Fall at WAC Meet
In addition to finishing in sixth place at the 2001 Western Athletic Conference Championships, the Bulldogs broke seven school records and set 14 All-Time Top-Five times at the WAC Championship meet this week in San Antonio. Summir Case reset her 100-yd. backstroke record three times in the first two days of the tournament. Julian Hill set a school record in the 200-yd. backstroke with her time of 2:02.55. Hill's barely lasted through the morning. Case soon reset the record with her time of 2:02.16. The current Bulldogs making the All-Time Top-Five in 2000 season are listed by rank among Fresno State's Fastest swims followed by their time. All swims were earned in the WAC Championship meet.
Bulldogs in the NCAA
Two Bulldogs qualified for the chance to make an appearance at the NCAA Championships this season. Lone diver, Recupito traveled to Federal Way, Wash. to compete in the diving Zone E competition. She placed 37th in the 1-meter with her score of 180.60 and 26th in the 3-meter with her score of 206.80. Senior Summir Case made the provisional cuts for her second consecutive season. Case made the cuts for her 200-yd. backstroke time of 2:02.16. Unfortunately, Case was not invited to compete in the NCAA Finals.
Academic Success Leads the WAC
The swimming and diving team has set a high standard of performing well in the classroom. In the spring of 2001, it posted a team GPA of 3.12, to rank 35th in the nation. In the fall of 2001, Fresno State posted a 3.285 - the highest in the WAC. The GPA is the second highest in program history and ranks them 13th nationally. Five 'Dogs made the Dean's List. To make the list, a student must achieve a 3.5 GPA and a minimum of 12 units (full-time). Seniors Jennifer Brown, Temple Cowden, Kristi Markiewitz sophomore Jessica Klenner and freshman Chandra Riberich made the list this semester. Of the 16 person roster, 15 scored a 3.0 or better. Since 1992 the Bulldogs have been ranked nationally in every semester with their team GPA.
