Recap of the Weekends Action in the WAC:
Also Nominated: Fresno State junior Jesie Lewis claimed event-best times in the 50 and 100 free against Pac-10 opponent Oregon State. The Juneau, Alaska product holds the Bulldogs all-time best performance in the 50 free (23.76) and 100 free (51.55). To date, Lewis has collected 21 top-three finishes with 14 championships swims.
Junior Rachel Armstrong led Rice in its three dual meets in as many days with four individual victories, helping the three Owl relays take the top prize. Armstrong dominated the 200 freestyle event all three days and touched three full seconds ahead of the second-place swimmer at Texas A&M and TCU. Against TCU, she was successful in the 100 free, and was marginally edged out at SMU. Armstrong swam second in all three 200 free relay wins, turning in sub-24 second splits each time.
Newcomer Alenka Kejzar continued to create waves for SMU. The Mustangs' win over Rice was highlighted by outstanding performances by the freshman. Kejzar out swam her opponents in three events, including the 200 IM, 200 fly and 200 breast. In the dual with Houston a day later, Kejzar was a member of the triumphant 200-medley relay.
Looking Towards 10: With a record of 9-2, the Bulldogs are looking for their sixth 10-win season in the remaining meets. Fresno State took a tough loss to Oregon State on the road last Saturday. The Bulldogs managed to win four of 14 events, falling 145-117. Only the second setback of the season, Fresno State claimed 22 top-three finishes. The relays provided points for the 'Dogs as the 200 medley and 200 free relays finished second. Individually senior Jesie Lewis led the team in the 50 and 100 free. Fellow senior Summir Case added a victory in the 100 back, taking second in the 200 back to freshman Julian Hill.
Dominate Performances: Hawai'i earned consecutive victories over San Diego State and Washington Jan. 19-20. Both days, the Wahine placed first in eight of 10 events. Highlighting the meets was Morgan Hoestery, who swam a season-best 2:6.13 in the 200 IM. Divers Brook Morgan (270.53), Sarah Shepard (259.2) and Jenny Sprangers (256.73) had best outings of the season.
Hat Trick: Freshman Toni Ciffolilli blazed the way against Texas A&M, recording the hat trick and finishing ahead of teammate Elizabeth Williams in the 100 and 200 breast and 200 IM. Katie Scholl cruised to victory in the 500 and 1,000 free, while Mandy Mularz and Katie Hermann finished 1-2 in the 50 free. Despite winning eight of 16 events, the meet came down to the diving events. Since Rice doesnt field a diving squad, Texas A&M picked up 32 uncontested points.
Triple Crown: Eleventh-ranked SMU came out strong against in-state foe Rice on Jan. 26, recording a 116-83 conference win. Alenka Kejzar provided the highlights, taking three events, beginning with the fifth race of the night, the 200 IM. She followed-up with a win in the 200 fly before ending the evening with the crown in the 200 breaststroke. Contributing to the evenings success, Georgina Lee touched first in the 1,650 free, as Lisa Wanberg won the 100 free. McCall Dorr and Anu Koivisto were triumphant in the 500 free and 200 back, respectively. Kicking things off with a first-place effort was the 200-medley relay.
Individual winning efforts from Rachel Armstrong and Mandy Mularz were not enough for Rice to overcome SMU. Pacing herself to a winning time in the 200 free, Armstrong was edged out of the 100 free by SMU's Lisa Wanberg. The Owl's 200 free relay picked up points with a comfortable lead over the Mustangs. SMU turned in a solid effort, winning nine of 13 events; downing Houston 141-96. The Mustangs stand at 5-2 on the year, with a 3-2 home record.
Inaugural Dive: Backstroker and butterflyer Katie Carey became the first Owl to compete in diving in nearly a decade when she took the board against TCU on Jan. 27. Carey, a freshman, finished fourth, missing third by a point and a half.
The Owls grabbed nine of 11 events in the 128-111 victory over conference opponent TCU. Rachel Armstrong continued her winning ways, earning two titles, as did Katie Scholl. Armstrong and Kim Maher finished 1-2 for Rice in the 100 free. In the 200 free, Armstrong broke from the competition for a three-second margin of victory. Scholl and Jackie Corcoran teamed up for the 1-2 punch in the 500 and 1,000 free. Corcoran caught TCU's Jamie MacCurdy in the final 50 yards to finish second. Mandy Mularz and Katie Hermann joined the pattern in the 50 free, as did Elaine Lee and Jada Sanders in the 200 fly. In a last-second push, Toni Ciffolilli came from behind to win the 200 breast. Divers Lisa Munoz, Codi McLamb and Beth Kush shined for TCU in the loss. Standout Jamie MacCurdy clocked winning efforts in the 200 IM and backstroke, while earning third in the 500 free.