Bulldogs open homecoming Saturday hosting Nevada

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State Swimming & Diving team will kick off a big homecoming Saturday as the 'Dogs will host their first dual of the season facing MW foe Nevada at 11 a.m. at the Aquatics Center. Admission for the meet is free of charge and fans will have a chance to win free football tickets for the homecoming game vs. Hawaii on Saturday night.

"It's our first dual meet of the year so we're excited," Fresno State head coach Jeanne Fleck said. "Nevada was third place in conference last year so we'll be facing one of the top (MW) teams. We have quite a few girls out now that are injured or sick but our goal is to give them a run for their money."

The 'Dogs and Wolf Pack meet annually and, despite some close finishes, Fresno State has come up short of a dual win over the rival from Reno. "We're going to have to be at our best," Fleck added. "We're going to have to swim better than we have in the last two invites if we're going to get it done."

Fresno State opened its season hosting the Chick-Fil-A Invitational before competing in the CSUB Sprint Classic last Friday. Senior Ugne Mazutaityte earned a win in the 200 Back over competitors from five teams in the Chick-Fil-A Invitational and the 'Dogs placed third in the meet ahead of San Jose State and Air Force.

Freshman Brenda Diaz Martinez continued her impressive start to her rookie season as she won the 400 IM in a field of 30 swimmers at the CSUB Sprint Classic. Her time of 4:24.91 was more than two and a half seconds better than the second place finisher as she recorded the fourth fastest time in the event in program history. Junior Manuela Mendolicchio had a third place finish in the 50 Breast and swam the fifth-fastest 100 IM in program history in the non-traditional meet in Bakersfield.

For the season Diaz Martinez has the fastest times on the team in the 200 Free, 500 Free, 200 IM, and 400 IM. Mazutaityte has the best 100 and 200 Back times, Mendolicchio leads in the 100 Breast and 200 Breast, sophomore Zofia Niemczak has recorded the best 100 and 200 Fly times, and senior Osianna Mcreed is the top sprinter on the team in the 50 Free and 100 Free.

Nevada placed third, behind just Boise State and San Diego State, at the 2018 MW Championship. The Wolf Pack won the Pacific Invitational two weeks ago, finishing ahead of Pacific as well as MW schools New Mexico and San Diego State. Andressa Cholodovskis earned MW Swimmer of the Week honors after winning six total events in the meet.

Nevada opened its season with a dual win over Oregon State and beat Washington State while losing to San Diego State in a double dual relay meet (both events were swimming only). The Wolf Pack will compete at UC Davis on Friday before visiting Fresno on Saturday.

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Bulldogs open homecoming Saturday hosting Nevada

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Players Mentioned

Brenda Diaz Martinez

Ugne Mazutaityte

Osianna Mcreed

Manuela Mendolicchio

Zofia Niemczak

Fresno State Athletics