Fresno State Athletics
Swimming and Diving Reaches Within For Courage and Character
8/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Aug. 24, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. - Courage Under Fire
As Head Swimming and Diving Coach Daniella Irle enters the 2001 campaign, she has two words to describe the challenge that lies ahead - courage and character. With a squad equipped with just six veterans, including one senior, to guide 18 newcomers, she will need them to have the courage to take on the fiery schedule. Teams have the tendancy to view Fresno State as the underdog, and the case to prove otherwise is not any different this season with a roster comprised of 18 freshmen. Irle, now in her 10th season, thrives on being the underdog and that attitude carries over to the team. Being an underdog requires a great deal of character. One must have the character to "stay the course" through easy and hard times and disregard the dismissive attitude of the opponent. The question becomes whether a team comprised of mostly freshmen has the maturity to be courageous in obtaining the character needed at the Division I level.
"Our young people are going to have to have confidence and display a high level of maturity very quickly if we're going to be successful."
With such a young team, the Bulldogs must be focused and not become sidetracked. In order to accomplish this, they will have to do it through their character. The character of the Bulldogs is to know what needs to be done, have the courage to get it done, then do it.
Such a task cannot be handled entirely by the returning members, some of the freshmen are going to have to step out of their traditional roles and become young leaders.
"They are going to have to act, think and perform like our veterans and I know they can. We recruited individuals who are capable of doing just that."
How much courage and character will the 24-member squad need for the trials of the upcoming season? A closer look at the schedule may provide an answer.
The philosophy of Irle is that there is no better way to get better, to be the best, than to schedule the best. This season the program has done just that. 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 University of the 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 University of Nevada, Las Vegas 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. The University of Nevada, Reno, 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 schedule was meant to be demanding, challenging and difficult. The team doesn't want anything less. Being the underdog has its disadvantages but the Bulldogs don't look at the upcoming season with a disadvantaged perspective. They see it as an opportunity to surprise a few teams, a way to become stronger mentally and physically and a way to leave their mark as a confident and athletic program.
"I don't mind getting beat, but we are going to bleed getting beat," offers Irle. "We are not going to make it easy for anyone."
Freestyle
Tradition. What other word is there to describe the freestyle history of the swimming and diving program? There is not one and there does not need to be. There is no other motivating factor than being a member of one of the best freestyle programs in the WAC. All of the Fresno State records in this category were set within the past four years. In fact, only one record holder remains with the squad this season, which means that continuing the tradition is up to the newcomers. A big responsibility for certain, but there is no better time than the present to learn the tradition and no better athlete to learn from than senior Jesie Lewis.
Lewis entered the realms of traditionalism when she established her own precedent in the sprints by setting the school records as a sophomore in the 50 and 100 free. She has the ability to continue her success as an individual and as a member of a team. Lewis is the link between the past and future success of this program. In fact, that is why she is a role model, and her leadership will be critical in the upcoming season. Lewis will not be alone in the Bulldogs' pursuit of excellence in the sprinting events. Freshmen Melissa Johnson, Minja Mickelson and Jennifer Palmberg will be looked upon to support her in training and to back her up in the relay events. In return, Lewis will be pulling them along. Adding some depth will be freshmen Alicia Wilson, Cassandra Eckart and Tawne Fishback.
In the past, Lewis, joined by juniors Bethany Starkweather and Jessica Klenner, have also pulled duty in the middle distance events. However, a new crew will be looked upon to relieve the threesome from the pressure. Four women have been recruited to do the deed and they are Johnson, Jolene Valley, Jessica Jimenez and Katie Haney.
"These four freshmen can dominate," emphasized Irle. " They have both the potential and ability to dominate. They've just got to step in and do it"
In the distance events, it is no other better heir than Klenner. Her relentless attitude guided her to a 2001 season-best time of 1:53.87 in the 200 free last season. She also returns as the top swimmer in the 500 free with a season-best 5:02.23, the 1000 at 10:35.19 and the1650 free at 17:31.98. However it's not just her athleticism that precedes her, it's also her tenacity. "She is tough as nails and the personification of a Bulldog. That woman will bite and hang on," commented Irle. "She is tenacious in training and tenacious to race."
Right alongside Klenner will be Haney. Haney will step into the role as a distance swimmer with ease. Irle is confident in her ability to undertake the responsibility. After a productive summer of training, Haney has steadily prepared to jump into her role.
"Haney is one of the most talented distance freshmen we have ever brought in. She has potential coming out of her ears. We've just got to get her there. I feel really confident with Klenner and Haney handling the distance, very comfortable," ensured Irle.
Adding depth will be Starkweather and sophomore Greer McGettrick. The two are willing to step in to compete in the events, but two freshmen, Valley and Jiminez must back them. The coaching staff is also looking to develop freshmen Tiffany Collins and Kristin Leon into conference-level distance swimmers.
"Collins and Leon have the potential to become a part of the distance tradition," says Irle. "They are both good, solid, dual-meet swimmers."
Backstroke
Five quality backstrokers will fill the lanes for the Bulldogs this season. Leading the way is Starkweather. She is the top returnee in the 200 with a best time of 2:05.19. Joining the veteran will be incoming freshmen Carolyn Wigginton, Mickelson and Kim Hitch and Eckart. Irle knows without exception that she has five strong swimmers slated in the backstroke.
"All of our backstrokers are capable of scoring in the top 16 at conference. With Wigginton coming off a tremendous summer and with Hitch, Mickelson and Eckart in the mix, Starkweather will have the added depth she needs. However, the relay position is wide open for whoever can get up and get it done. Someone has the opportunity to really shine for us."
Breaststroke
The tradition continues with the breaststroke events, as McGettrick returns from a solid season in 2000. She is inked in both the 100 and 200 events. The swimmer earned two Fresno State all-time top five records as she clocked 1:05.57 in the 100 and 2:20.72 in the 200. Her top times are just one reason why she will take the lanes for the Bulldogs in those events. The national level swimmer will have freshman Stacy Brock as her sidekick.
"Brock gives us a one-two punch. She has the potential to be at McGettrick's level," commented Irle.
Joining the tandem, are Fishback, Jessica Baham and Rebecca Cannady. The trio will round out a great group of breaststrokers.
"Fishback and Baham are equipped with a lot of talent and must swim with self-confidence early on! And Cannady has more heart than possibly anyone I've ever coached. If her body can keep up with her heart and mindset, we're really going to be pleased with her progress."
Butterfly
"Lean on me" is the key phrase in this series of events. Sophomore Kristi Collins and Klenner will be leaned on heavily in the beginning of the year until the newcomers are able to provide a boost. Fishback was brought in to do just that. Her performance in the 50 and100 fly is going to provide the pump. "She has the potential to be the dominant flyer on our relays. If she wants, she can do it."
Klenner returns as the top swimmer in the flys and Kristi Collins is on her heels. Valley and Jiminez join the duo and are capable of being conference finalist swimmers.
"Both Jolene and Jessica will develop into great 100 and 200 flyers within this conference, I just know it! Overall though, we have a great group of flyers to turn to."
Individual Medleys
Two returnees will have the responsibility of keeping what has been known as the achilles heel of the program for the past few years, under wraps this season. Kristi Collins and Starkweather are given that task. Collins will control the 200, while Starkweather takes the 400 by the reigns. For the most part however, the care of these events is up for grabs. Irle is really counting on everyone to help in these events. Those vying for a top seed will be Brock, Wigginton, Hitch and Klenner.
"I have extremely high hopes for Wigginton and Brock. They should develop into solid 200 and 400 IM'ers for us," states Irle.
Relays
Once again it comes down to Lewis. She is the nucleus of the sprint relays. Both the 200 and 400 relays will be built around her. Irle is looking for Johnson and Mickelson to possibly fill the leadoff spot. Jiminez, Valley, Klenner and Palmberg are candidates to surround Lewis. It will be up to everyone on the team to battle it out. Everyone will be afforded the opportunity to be a relay member.
The 800 free will be built around Klenner and Johnson, with backup coming from Haney, Lewis, Jimenez, Mickelson and anyone else who has the courage to be a hero! There is a lot of freedom to have various combinations before finding the right one.
The medley events are the most open for the `Dogs. Backstroke has the most freedom of selection. McGettrick backed up by Brock and Baham, are potential breast swimmers in the event. Kristi Collins, Fishback, Valley, Jimenez and Klenner will battle it out for the fly position. Finally, Lewis is going to have to be unseated. Johnson will be on her heels pushing her along the way.
In general the relay positions are up for grabs. The entire squad will have the opportunity to prove they deserve to be in the relays.
"I expect everyone to want to be a part of the relays, but they must demonstrate the desire and skill to be awarded the privilege."
Diving
It's a whole new world for the diving squad this season. The team is comprised of three quality divers, all of whom have the ability to take the program to a higher level of competition. The triad has a lot of scoring potential and must step it up in order for the team to succeed as a whole. Sophomore Nicole Recupito takes the lead and will be looked upon for her guidance. She returns with a year of solid diving experience to teach incoming freshmen Ashleigh Raley and Lindsey Paulekas what it takes to be a Division I diver.
"The three of them can absolutely take this program to a new level with the scoring potential they have," emphasized Irle. "I know Head Diving Coach ChunHua Zhao is excited to see the potential they have. This group could prove to be the most damaging group of all to our opposing teams."
Some teams compete with talent alone however, the Bulldogs believe that courage and character, are two attributes that this young squad must display. And this team is certainly abundant in talent, however merited success will be earned through its courage and character.
