Fresno State Athletics
Swimming and Diving Rests to Prepare for WAC Championships
2/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Feb. 11, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. -
Women's Swimming and Diving Release for the Week of Feb. 11, 2002
WAC Championships Up Next The Bulldogs have finished the 2002 regular season Now take the next week to prepare for the 2002 Western Athletic Conference Championship, Thursday, Feb. 28 through Saturday, March 2, in San Antonio, Texas. Six teams will be in attendance, including Fresno State, Hawai'i, Nevada, Rice, San Jose State and SMU.
NCAA Prospects All three divers have now qualified for the 1-meter dual dive. Freshman Ashleigh Raley earned a NCAA mark of 275.60 on Nov. 3, at the Lancer Cup Invitational in the 1-meter dual. Later, freshman Lindsey Paulekas scored an NCAA Qualifying standard on Saturday, Dec. 15, when she scored 258.375 in the 1-meter event. Finally, sophomore Nicole Recupito inked her spot in the NCAA competition with a score of 263.175.
Where We've Been, How We Did The 'Dogs have lost their last four dual-meets since a double-dual meet victory over UC Irvine, Jan.12. With that stated, the team must recuperate for the upcoming WAC Championships. The last loss was to San Jose State, Saturday, Feb. 9, 171-129. Despite the loss, 11 'Dogs recorded personal-bests. Freshman Carolyn Wigginton led the 'Dogs with her two first place captures in the 100 and 200 backstroke events. Senior Jesie Lewis took first in the 50 free with a time of 24.80. Freshman Jennifer Palmberg was named "Swimmer/Diver of the Meet", as a result of her improvement from 25.10 to 24.89 in the 50 free. She placed second in the event.
Get Back One word describes Carolyn Wigginton, "Backstroker". The freshman has been touching the pad before numerous opponents this season, tallying 14 first place times - second on the team, eight second places and seven third places. Her 29 top three finishes leads the team. She also is the team leader in the 100 back (58.36) and 200 back (2:05.66). She recently recorded her personal-best 200 back time at the San Jose State meet, Saturday, Feb. 9. She is ranked third in the WAC in the 100 and fifth in the 200 event.
Kickin' It in the WAC The Bulldogs are making their way into the WAC's Top 25 and leading the way is Raley, who has four top ten scores in the diving events. She is ranked second in the 1-meter (290.85), second in the 1-meter championship (223.40), second in the 3-meter championship (341.60) and first in the platform (303.80). In addition, Raley received Fresno State's only WAC Athlete of the Week nod for her record-setting performance versus UC Irvine and San Diego State, Saturday, Jan. 12. Next is junior Jessica Klenner. The freestylist has three top 10 positions. Her best rank is sixth in both the 1000 free (10:30.52) and 1650 free (17:36.65). She also is ninth in the 500 free at 5:04.87.
Who's Who in the WAC Southern Methodist is the leader in the WAC as it ranks eighth in the College Swimming Coaches Athletic Association (CSCAA), with 149 points. The Mustangs have earned three Athletes of the Week. Three members of the Nevada Wolf Pack have also earned the honor, while Rice had two and FS ended the season with one. Hawai'i finished the season with a 1-6 record. Nevada ended its campaign at 10-2. Rice inked a record of 3-4-1. SJSU ended with a slate of 5-3, while SMU finished at 4-4. However, the Mustangs have the most difficult schedule, facing teams such as No. 2 Auburn, No. 7 Arizona, No. 5 Georgia and No. 3 Texas.
Head Coach Daniella Irle Head swimming and diving coach Daniella Irle is in her 10th season at the helm of the Bulldogs. During her nine-plus seasons, she has accumulated an overall record of 93-34. In each of her nine previous seasons, her teams have finished with a winning record. Also, each of the school records have been either broken or reset. Presently she has two record holders on the squad in Lewis and Raley. Raley set two Fresno State records this season, the 1-meter and 3-meter dual dives.
2001-02 Athlete Notes
Melissa Johnson (Fr., Sprint/Mid Free): Has 10 first place finishes on the season, which is third on the team ... team leader in the 200 free (1:54.37) ... 11th in the 50 (24.40) and 12th in the 200 free in the WAC ... named Swimmer/Diver of the Meet Oct. 13.
Jessica Klenner (Jr., Distance Free/Fly): Is second on the team in top three finishes with 25, has seven first places ...has five WAC Top 10 times ... is at the No. 2 position in the 1650 free with a time of 17:47.35 ... other four times are strong in the 500 free-ninth (5:06.65), 1000 free-fifth(10:30.52), 200 fly-10th (2:11.09) and 400 IM-ninth (4:39.79) ... named Swimmer/Diver of the Meet four times, Jan. 26, Nov. 2, 10 and 29 ... team leader in the 500 free, 1000 free, 1650 free, 200 fly and 400 IM.
Jesie Lewis (Sr., Sprint/Mid. Free): Second on the team in FS top three finishes with 26, including 10 first place captures, fourth-most on the squad ... also is the team leader in the 50 free (24.11) and 100 free (52.13) ... ranks seventh in the WAC in both the 50 and 100 free... owns the school record in the 50 free (23.76) and the 100 free (51.55) ... 2001 Mr. Bulldog Designee ... Swimmer/Diver of the Meet, twice, Oct. 19, Nov. 29.
Greer McGettrick (So., Breast/Free): Fifth on the team in top three finishes with 16 ... ranks seventh on the WAC Top 25 list in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.37) ... team leader in the 100 and 200 breast (2:24.97) ... 12th in the WAC for the 200 breast (2:24.97), 12th in the WAC ... is third all-time in the 100 breast (1:05.57) and fourth all-time in the 200 breast (2:20.72).
Minja Mickelsen (Fr., Free/Back): Is seventh on the team in top three finishes with 14 ...second on the team in the 100 back (1:00.45), third in the 200 back (2:11.66) ... ranks ninth in the WAC in the 100 back (1:00.45) and tied for 15th in the 200 back ... Swimmer/Diver of the Meet, Nov. 29.
Ashleigh Raley (Fr., Diving): Fourth on the team in top three finishes with 23, leads in first place finishes, 17 ... team leader in all three diving events ... NCAA Automatic Qualifier in the 1-meter ... FS record holder in the 3-meter (264.97) & 1-meter (290.85) ... ranked first in the WAC in the platform, second in the 1-meter and ninth in the 3-meter ... Four-time Swimmer/Diver of the Meet: Jan. 26,12, Nov. 2, and Oct. 6.
Bethany Starkweather (Jr., IM/Back): Has eight top three finishes this season ... swam in the third position of the top 25 800 free relay team (7:58.67) ... second on the team in the 400 IM (4:42.18)-13th in the WAC ... also second on the team in the 500 free (5:11.21)... Swimmer/Diver of the Meet, Feb. 5.
Carolyn Wigginton (Fr., Back/IM): First on the team in top three finishes with 29, second in firsts with 14 ... ranks third in the WAC in the 100 back (56.32) and fifth in the 200 (2:05.65), team leader in the same events ... time in the 100 is second on the All-Time FS list ... Swimmer/Diver of the Meet Nov. 3.
