Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Nevada
Bulldogs Improve Against Tough Nevada Team
10/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
By Jason Kelm
jakelm@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
RENO, Nev. – The Fresno State swimming and diving team fell 176-121 against Nevada on Saturday afternoon, breaking school records and personal-bests. Highlights include record-breaking performances from freshman Ugne Mazutaityte and senior Brooke Rodriguez. All times include altitude conversions of 1.2 seconds for 200-yard events.
"Our younger swimmers are really stepping up as four of our nine seniors are injured," Fresno State head coach Jeanne Fleck said. "As we continue to swim competitively this fall, I'm very pleased with how we're progressing."
Mazutaityte won the 100 Backstroke (56.76) and broke a Fresno State record in the 200 Backstroke with a 1:58.66.
"Ugne [Mazutaityte] is training at a higher level than she ever has," Fleck added. "She's very coachable and is improving each and every week. We're all excited to continue to watch her grow."
Senior Leah Hatayama won the 50 Freestyle with a 23.82, .03 seconds faster than second place finisher, Rebecca Murray of Nevada.
Rodriguez, junior Esme Gullick and senior Karissa DeRousseau took the top three spots in the 100 IM, a new event in competitions this year. Rodriguez's 1:00.14 would set the standard for future Bulldog swimmers. Fresno State also had the top three times in the 200 Freestyle Relay and placed second in the 200 Medley Relay.
Junior diver Shelbie Holden placed second in the 3-meter dive with a score of 239.10 and third in the 1-meter (240.66).
It's been a tough week for the Bulldogs, as senior diver Lacie Ruth's father Mike, from Visalia, Calif., was involved in a serious motorcycle accident on his way to work last Monday, Oct. 26. Much of the team has been by their side at the hospital for the majority of the week, taking time away from their typical training regimen.
"I'm really proud of our student-athletes," Fleck said. "Emotionally and mentally, it's been hard on all of us this week and we all wanted to be there for Lacie [Ruth] and her family. Today there has been good signs as her dad is making a slight turn for the better, but it's still tough."
What's Next
Next Saturday, the Bulldogs head back to Stockton, Calif., as they face Pacific and Oregon State at 11 a.m. PT.
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Players Mentioned
