Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Set To Face Off Against Fresno Pacific
10/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Oct. 19, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State swimming and diving team is set to compete on Friday as they battle cross-town rival Fresno Pacific. This will mark the first time since the return of the program that both the swimmers and divers will compete against the Sunbirds. The event, which will be hosted by Fresno Pacific, is the first for the Bulldogs have in Fresno since the return of the program last season. It will be the only event of the 2009-10 season for the Bulldogs that will be held within the city limits. The meet will be held at Fresno State's practice facility, Clovis North High School at 3:30 p.m. and is free of charge.
Scouting Fresno Pacific
Fresno Pacific fared well in their first meet of the season as they competed in the PCSC on Oct. 9 where they finished third behind Loyola Marymount and Concordia at Clovis North. The Sunbirds had three second place finishes: the 300 backstroke, the 200 freestyle relay and the 400 freestyle relays.
Divers Look to Dominate for Second-Straight Year
Last season the Bulldogs diving squad led by Kendra Weeks, Jillian Mason and Blair Hopkins posted season-best scores against Fresno Pacific which boosted the Bulldogs past the Sunbirds for a hard fought victory. Last season, Weeks posted the top score by a Bulldog in the 2008-09 season in the 3-meter dive with a 227.35 while Mason posted a personal best in the 1-meter dive scoring 196 points for the Bulldogs. Freshman newcomers Stacey Luke and Nikki Khols also look to be a force for the Bulldogs as they both posted impressive scores last weekend in the WAC Shootout.
Bulldogs Open Season With Strong Times in WAC Shootout
The Fresno State swimming and diving team opened the season with a promising performance from all of its freshmen swimmers along with highly improved times from last year's returners. The `Dogs, led by sophomore Heidi Gjoen, scored many points and won multiple events in dual meet competition. The `Dogs looked very sharp in both the 1- and 3-meter diving events. In the 3-meter dive Stacey Luke posted a score of 236.70, which was good enough for a first place finish against Boise State, while Kendra Weeks scored a 218.15 in the 1-meter dive, which was also good enough for first place against the Broncos. Rayanne Nguyen was very impressive in the second day as well, posting times good enough to boast second place against both Boise and Nevada in dual meet competition. Many of the swimmers are already bettering times from last year in the season finale WAC championships, leading everyone to believe that this young Bulldog team is only going to get better and better as the year rolls on.
Returning WAC Freshman of the Year Gjoen Looks to Make Mark
After being named WAC freshman of the year Heidi Gjoen looks to push her limits even further and be a huge point contributor this season for the Bulldogs. Gjoen a national champion in Norway was the `Dogs top performer last year and through tough training and continuous practice will be a force to be reckoned with in the WAC.
New Pool Expected for 2010-11 Season
The ground breaking on a new multi-million dollar aquatic complex that will sit directly east of Bulldog diamond off Barstow Ave will set sail fall 2009. The facility will feature a 50-meter pool with eight lanes, including a one-meter, three-meter and platform diving well at five, seven and ten-meter heights, along with coach's offices. A wet classroom will also be available to swimmers and divers for just out-of -the water coaching and exercises, as well as both home and visiting locker rooms. The pool will be seven feet deep and the diving well 13-15 feet to accommodate swimmers, divers and the possibility of a water polo team in the future. The pool will also be swim meet ready with diving blocks, lane lines and flags. With the development of the new facility, the team will have the ability to host home meets and practice on campus giving the dogs a permanent place they can call home.
"We are Your Team" - The swimming and diving team returns to the pool Friday Oct. 23, as the `Dogs face off against the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds in a dual meet at 3:30 p.m. at Clovis North High School
