The Colorado State swimming & diving team has nothing but good vibes coming into the 2014-15 season. For the first time in four years, the Rams are coming off a winning dual-meet season. Add that to a lineup which returns more than 80 percent of its letterwinners, and CSU has placed expectations upon itself to be a driving force in the Mountain West.
“I am very optimistic about this year.” Head Coach Christopher Woodard said. “We have the sophomore class that knows what to expect and how to compete at this level, and they are a great compliment to our upperclassmen. We also have very capable freshmen.”
The Rams also return a tremendous group of divers. Led by junior Ariana Milone and senior Melissa Bollig – who both scored at last season’s conference championship meet – the talented group of divers is expected to carry the program to another successful season.
“Once again, our diving team will be among the best in the conference,” Woodard said. “Ari is our strongest diver, and she’ll steal a lot of first places, which helps our team win dual meets and puts points on the board for us. Our diving team is very experienced and strong.”
Milone finished fifth in the 1-meter diving event at the Mountain West Championships last February, the Rams’ highest finish. She also earned ninth place on the 3-meter springboard, while Bollig placed eighth in the 1-meter event.
Those two, in addition to Paige Greely and Mary Kate Hardy, qualified for NCAA Zones in 2013-14, the most represented by CSU in more than a decade and tied for the most in the Mountain West.
In addition the strong diving group and veteran presence, the Rams are also optimistic because of their balance.
“We have a much more-rounded team this year,” Woodard said. “Megan Lloyd is a force in the Mountain West and Karin Roh, our freestyler, has really come into her own and is extremely motivated this year. Jessica Shepard and Tess Simpson are also lynch pins to what we do. They have a lot of diversity, and they know how to swim tough.”
Shepard earned All-Mountain West honors last year, finishing fifth in the 100 Backstroke, while Simpson placed 10th in the 100 Breaststroke.
Woodard and his staff added seven freshmen to its roster this year, highlighted by four Colorado athletes and High School All-American Katie Kicklighter.
“I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen from our freshmen,” Woodard said. “They’re clicking well, and I expect them to make an immediate impact for us. They understand what it means to be Ram tough.”
With a new year comes new renovations to Moby Pool. There has been a joint effort between campus and athletics to update the swimming facilities, which has the Rams excited.
“I hope the updates invigorate our athletes,” Woodard said. “Not to make excuses for my girls, but I think that it is tough on them seeing the same thing every day, and after these renovations they will have a little shot and a sense of pride.
The renovations include updated bleachers and painted walls, and most importantly, new starting blocks and a rebrand to the pool deck.
Building off last year’s success, it is clear that the Rams’ swimming & diving program is headed in the right direction.
“Our goal is to beat as many people as we can along the way and build confidence to be ready for the Mountain West Championships,” Woodard said.
The Rams begin their season with a meet at Denver on Oct. 18. Less than a week later, they will be home to host four teams over three-straight weekends, beginning with Wyoming (Oct. 24). CSU also hosts Northern Colorado in January before embarking on the Mountain West Championships in San Antonio, Texas (Feb. 18-21).
