Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
WAC Championships
Gjoen Shatters School Record
2/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Feb. 28, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Freshman Bulldog swimming sensation Heidi Gjoen led the Dogs Saturday in San Antonio, Texas placing third in the 200 backstroke finals while surpassing a nearly nine-year-old school record and claiming a first-team All-WAC title.
"It is very exciting to break a record our first year back," said head coach Jeanne Fleck. "I am so ecstatic and so proud."
Gjoen swam the preliminary event Saturday morning 2:02.20, just six-tenths off the school record that was set in the 2001-2002 season by Carolyn Wigginton. In the finals, Gjoen easily surpassed her preliminary time and finished third in 2:00.65 to earn the Bulldogs 16 points and a top three finish. She prevailed over nearly 20 opponents.
In the 200 breaststroke preliminaries, junior Mary Tess Taylor earned another lifetime best of 2:25.96 and went on to improve her time in the Heat C finals. Taylor placed 20th overall in the event.
"These girls have swum their hearts out," said Fleck. "They never backed down and never got scared. Every single girl on the team went a lifetime best time and we couldn't have done it without these young ladies."
The Bulldogs made a big splash at the WAC Championships their first full-season back after a hiatus and swam the final event of the championship with another improved time in the 400 freestyle. The team finished 3:36.24.
Both swimmers and divers were impressive in their first conference championship meet. Each competitor had their own strengths to showcase, including diver Kendra Weeks' inaugural "first point" for the Bulldogs on the 1-meter Thursday to near-record breaking performances by the 200 medley relay team in the championship opener.
"Each and everyone has done phenomenal," said Fleck. "We had a diver earn us that first point and I know we are only going to get better from here on out. Tonight was a really, really good night for us and a great way to conclude the WAC Championships."
Final Standings:
1. Nevada 639
2. Northern Arizona 623
3. New Mexico State 572
4. San Jose State 511.5
5. Hawaii 463.5
6. Boise State 391
7. San Diego 248
8. Idaho 170
9. Fresno State 121
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Players Mentioned
