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"I think it's just good to get in and start racing," said WSU Head Coach Erica Quam on the team's performance. "I think that we started off pretty strong, just looking at some of the returners and their times in the first dual meet in years past."
“We swam hard,” Jager said. “This is what I expected. They (WSU) have a better talent base and they swim within their comfort zone. We were swimming out of our comfort zone.”
The meet was set up in a less traditional way with only eight events, all of which were relay events.
"I think this early in the season we wanted to do something different than the traditional dual meet because we have so many dual meets during the season," said Quam. "Just to get some other people doing things off of relay exchanges, it builds confidence because you get faster splits. It was fun."
The Cougars finished first in all eight events. In the 350 butterfly relay, senior Katie Van Horne, junior Bryn Mooney and freshman Michaela Ahlin, making her first appearance for Washington State, combined for a final time of 3:32.91 to take first, while junior Larissa Barth, sophomore Jamie MacLeod and junior McKenzie Reiter took second. Seniors Lindsay Backhouse and Erin McCleave and sophomore Afton Pickett took first in the 350 yard backstroke relay with a time of 3:31.98. Freshman Shawna Keller also made her Cougar debut, swimming to a first place finish in the 350 breaststroke relay with teammates Elyse Peterson and Monika Povilonyte.
"Just to see Michaela Ahlin and Shawna Keller get in and race for the first time, that was good," said Quam.
WSU relay teams also took first in the 500 freestyle relay (4:41.98), the 400 medley relay (3:55.15), the 1500 freestyle relay (15:27.00), the 400 IM relay (4:04.66) and the 200 freestyle relay (1:37.06).
Although the final score was not pleasing, Jager was excited about the performance by Katie Kolva.
“Katie swam great,” Jager said. “She really wants to get fast and be in the sprint relays.”
Kolva finished with great splits in the 500 free relay and the 200 free relay.
Jager feels optimistic about the way the rest of the season will go and felt that tonight was just another test to send the team in the right direction.
“It helps us get ready for the WAC,” Jager said. “It will be a different story against Cal State Northridge.”
Next up for the Cougars will be the first home meet of the season as WSU takes on the San Jose State Spartans in a 5:00 pm dual meet at Gibb Pool. The Vandals will meanwhile tangle with the University of Alberta October 14th.
