After showing strong performances on and off over the first three weeks of the season, the Colorado State swimming & diving program put it all together Saturday, handily beating New Mexico State, 180-117, at Moby Pool.
“It felt good to see strong performances all across the board,” Head Coach Christopher Woodard said. “I think we saw the type of team we’re capable of being.”
The Rams (3-3) won the first six events, and 11 of the first 12, to take a commanding lead. In total, five athletes won eight of the individual swimming events. Junior Cristina Bassani (100 Breaststroke, 200 Breaststroke), freshman Katie Kicklighter (50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle) and junior Jessica Shepard (100 Backstroke, 200 Backstroke) each won both of their specialty events.
In addition to Kicklighter, fellow freshmen Colleen Olson (200 Freestyle) and Hailey Spratte (1000 Freestyle) earned their first collegiate victories.
“As I said before the season, we have several freshmen who are capable of doing big things for us,” Woodard said. “They train really hard, they’re buying in and they take a lot of pride in what they do. Until they see results, there’s always a little hesitation, but they’re starting to see the results. It’s great.”
The thing that impressed Woodard the most, however, was his team’s depth.
“We know who are top liners are, but to see some other kids progress and emerge is what I was most pleased with,” Woodard said. “When it comes down to it, we’re going to need a whole team effort.”
CSU finished first and second in five events and swept the top three spots three times.
The Rams were dominant in the pool, but equally impressive was the team’s execution on the boards. Junior Ariana Milone won both the 1-Meter and 3-Meter springboard events, putting up one of the best performances of her career.
On the 3-Meter boards, her score of 322.50 was a personal best and the second-best performer in school history. The school record was set by Lori Vigil in 2002 (324.16). In the 1-Meter event, Milone was just a few points from a career high, scoring 288.45, the fifth-highest score in CSU history.
“Ari did really, really well,” head diving coach Kevin Witt said. “She’s had good meets this year, but hadn’t completely put it all together. I think today was more of a step in that direction. She was very consistent on both boards and just a couple points away from a school record.”
Not to be overlooked, sophomore Emily Williams finished third in both diving events, earning an NCAA Zones qualifying score of 268.43 on the 1-Meter boards.
“This year compared to last, her scores have gone way up,” Witt said. “She’s been close to qualifying, and I’m so happy that she accomplished that. She did great.”
CSU’s 400 Medley Relay team won the opening swimming event by nearly seven seconds, and the 200 Freestyle Relay squad posted the top time, but did not score because the Rams exhibitioned their final two events.
Also scoring in individual events were: Jenna Beaury (100 Breaststroke, fourth; 200 Breaststroke, third), Madison Evans(1000 Freestyle, second; 200 Backstroke, fourth), Mary Kate Hardy (1-Meter, fourth; 3-Meter, fifth), Michelle Hawkins (100 Backstroke, fourth), Alexandra Jacobs (200 Butterfly, third), Lauren Kuechler (100 Butterfly, fifth), Megan Lloyd (200 Butterfly, second; 200 Breaststroke, second), Gabby Morley (1000 Freestyle, third; 500 Freestyle, fourth), Olson (50 Freestyle, fourth; 100 Freestyle, third), Elizabeth Prasse (100 Backstroke, third; 200 Backstroke, third), Karin Roh (200 Freestyle, third; 50 Freestyle, second; 100 Freestyle, second), Gianna Salanitro (500 Freestyle, second) and Tess Simpson (100 Breaststroke, second; 100 Butterfly, second). Lloyd, Salanitro and Jacobs also would have scored in the 200 IM if there times were not exhibition.
After competing in four-consecutive weekends to begin the season, CSU will get a week off before closing the fall portion of its season Nov. 20-22 at the Georgia Tech Invite.
“We’ve done most of our volume and heavy lifting, so these weeks are always difficult,” Woodard said. “I think today can be a shot in the arm for them to see that they’re still performing well, despite being really tired.”
