Fresno State Athletics
Gjoen Earns National Title
4/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
April 1, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State's top backstroker Heidi Gjoen (Oslo, Norway) made history in her home country and captured two first place finishes in the 100 and 200 backstroke events to earn national titles in short course meters at her second Norwegian National appearance Friday.
After the conclusion of the regular season and a successful swim at the WAC Championships in late February, Gjoen continued to practice for nearly a month in preparation for the national championships in her homeland.
"Heidi went all best times and placed second in the 50 backstroke," said head coach Jeanne Fleck. "She was really excited."
Friday's events outcome are the first individual national title for Gjoen, who competed in the nationals last summer, when her 400 medley relay team won the national title and broke a record. Gjoen placed third in the 100 backstroke as well.
Now a year later, the leader in Bulldog swimming returns to the Valley with a Norwegian National title in an individual event, a first for her.
Gjoen was Fresno State's top swimmer during the 2008-09 season, and set a decade-long school record in the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:00.65 and earned first-team All-WAC honors.
Players Mentioned
