Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal Poly Invitational
Bulldogs Second At Mustang Invitational
12/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Dec. 6, 2008
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The Bulldogs kicked off today's meet with an explosive performance in the 400 medley relay event, improving not only its time as a team roughly 12 seconds to finish in an impressive 4:04.06, but also in four individual, 100-yard performances by all four members.
A rapidly growing relay team in confidence and strength, freshman Heidi Gjoen (Oslo, Norway), the lead off in backstroke, followed by junior Mary-Tess Taylor (Granite Bay, Calif.) in breaststroke, freshman Jordan Morillo (Lindsay, Calif.) in butterfly and freshman Dede Torres (Fresno, Calif.), who wrapped up the race with an solid 100 freestyle, earning a best of 54.9.
"We are improving immensely," said head coach Jeanne Fleck. "The whole team did well and it felt like today they decided to become a team. The relays are becoming much more competitive."
Junior Kelli Sargent (Modesto, Calif.) earned a second place finish and a personal top time in heat one of the 200 freestyle event, finishing 2:04.34. It was a battle between Bulldogs in heat two, as Taylor, junior Rebecca Strmiska (Fresno, Calif.) and sophomore Rebecca Atchley (Porterville, Calif.) swam the race out side by side. Strmiska and Atchley earned best times.
The meet continued with a series of shorter, 50-yard events in backstroke and breaststroke. In the 50 backstroke event, junior Stephanie Saunders (Castro Valley, Calif.) earned a best time of 35.74.
Fresno State continued to show improvements in the 100 butterfly event. Two flyers, sophomore Cindy Engle (Edwards, Colo.) and Rebecca Sussman (Walnut Creek, Calif.) continued action earning improved times from yesterday's event.
It was a red wave in heat two of the 100 freestyle event, where Fresno State showcased a six lane face off between the `Dogs. Atchley earned a best time while five other teammates earned first times in the event. Swimmers use races such as these to improve upon each other and further build experience in competition.
It was a Bulldog duo that dominated heat two of the 100 breaststroke event over Cal Poly, with Taylor finishing first and fellow Bulldog Marissa Cecil (Palmdale, Calif.) shortly behind in second.
One of the strongest events for Fresno State today was the 500 freestyle, a 20-lap distance swim. All four competitors earned vast improvements in times, including Sargent who progressed six seconds and placed third, Strmiska, improving her time five seconds, Atchley with a roughly nine second advancement and freshman Sara Blake (Reedley, Calif.), who improved her time 12 seconds.
"It was assistant coach Ryan who pushed to have the girls rest this week," said Fleck. "It was great and the girls deserved the improvement and progress they've made."
Today's meet concluded with the 400 freestyle relay, which Fresno State earned a second place finish in. The team now heads into Christmas training, the most intense training of the season.
"This is the training that is going to get us ready for conference," said Fleck. "They know they need to do it and why."
Final Standings:
1. Cal Poly-1,674
2. Fresno State- 1,050
3. Northridge-569
For complete results for the Mustang Invitational, please log onto www.gobulldogs.com.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State swimming and diving team brings in the new year Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009 on the campus of UC Davis against the Aggies and the Spartans of San Jose State at 1 p.m.
Players Mentioned
