ATHLETE OF THE WEEK (Oct. 13-19)
Fresno State's Michelle Dockendorf was named the Verizon WAC Swimmer of the week for Oct. 13-19.
Dockendorf, a freshman from Santa Barbara, Calif., scored the most points for the Bulldogs as she placed in the top-10 in six events at the University of Pacific Invite on Oct. 15-16. In her first collegiate swim meet, Dockendorf was the individual winner in the 200-yard breaststroke, recording a time of 2:21.79. She also claimed fourth in the 400 IM, eighth in the 100 breast, sixth in the 200 IM and helped the 800 Freestyle Relay team to a seventh-place finish. She went on to claim another victory on the second day of competition as she won the 200 breast once again. Dockendorf helped Fresno State earn nearly a third of its points (111 out of 346), as the Bulldogs took fourth place.
Other swimmers nominated: Chavisa Thaveesupsoonthorn, Nevada; Darcie Anderson, San Jose State
This Week in WAC Swimming
Four schools hit the pool in Western Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving this week. Boise State travels to Las Cruces, N.M., for dual meets against North Texas and host New Mexico State. Idaho competes at the Debbie Pipher Invite in Pullman, Wash. Fresno State returns home to battle Fresno Pacific in Clovis, Calif.
TEAM NOTES
Boise State Broncos
The Broncos come into this season after having won their first ever WAC championship in swimming and diving ... in only its fifth year of existence, the team looks to repeat as champions in 2011 ... opening weekend for the broncos was Oct. 8-9, as they competed and won 298-176 against Rice ... the Broncos won 10 of the 12 swimming events, and freshman diver Ciera Cortney picked up her second victory in as many days, scoring 228.9 points ... the Broncos return to the pool Oct. 22-23, for dual meets against North Texas and host New Mexico State.
Fresno State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs finished in fourth place at their opening meet of the 2010-11 season at the University of Pacific Invitational ... freshman Michelle Dockendorf had an outstanding performance, as she was the individual winner in the 200-yard breaststroke, with a time of 2:21.79 ... she also accounted for nearly a third of Fresno's points (111 out of 346), placing in the top-10 in six events ... junior Dede Torres also swam a lifetime best in the 200-yard backstroke ... the Bulldogs return home Oct. 23 as they take on Fresno Pacific.
Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine
The Rainbow Wahine defeated Seattle University 146-86 and 177-110 at home on Oct. 15-16 ... Melissa Myers, Maura Barrett, Alyssa Foo and Maddie Takaki all won two individual events each ... Myers took the 1,000 freestyle (10:32.79) and the 500 freestyle (5:06.83), Barrett won the 200 freestyle (1:52.52) and the 100 freestyle (52.98), Foo won the 100 backstroke (1:00.16) and the 200 backstroke (2:07.44), and Takaki won in the 200 butterfly (2:09.06) and the 100 butterfly (58.37) ... UH next hosts Arizona State on Nov. 5-6.
Idaho Vandals
Idaho enters the season after a ninth place finish at the WAC championships last year ... Idaho is still relatively young and returns three seniors for the 2010-11 season ... the Vandals' season got under way at the WSU Relays on Oct. 8-9, where they finished second ... the team of Kelsie Saxe, Samantha Bettis and Calleagh Brown captured the 300 butterfly event for Idaho ... next up for Idaho is the Debbie Pipher Invite on Oct. 22-23 in Pullman, Wash.
Nevada Wolf Pack
The Wolf Pack fell to 0-2 after a 99-68 loss to San Jose State in Stanford, Calif., on Oct. 15-16 ... top ranked Stanford and No. 5 Cal also competed in Saturday's meet, however, the Wolf Pack and the Spartans scored this meet as a dual ... sophomore Chavisa Thaveesupsoonthorn led Nevada by claiming first in the 200-yard IM (2:08.64) and taking third place in the 100-yard backstroke (59.98) ... the Wolf Pack return to competition on Oct. 29 against Pacific in Stockton, Calif.
New Mexico State Aggies
The New Mexico is coming off its best finish in school history, as it took second place at the 2010 WAC championship ... head coach Rick Pratt was named WAC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season ... the Aggies open the 2010-11 season on Oct. 22 when they host North Texas and Boise State in dual meets.
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Northern Arizona is coming off a 2010 season in which it finished fifth at the WAC championships ... the Lumberjack women return a very experienced team as nine seniors are back in the mix for the 2011 campaign ... head coach Andy Johns also returns for his 15th season with the Lumberjacks after guiding a team that earned 17 All-WAC selections, 13 WAC All-Academic awards, and won six medals, including two for gold, last season ... the lumberjacks open their regular season at the Vandal Relays on Nov. 11.
San Jose State Spartans
The Spartans finished third at the George Haines Invitational and won in dual scoring against Nevada, 99-68 on Oct. 15-16 ... Darcie Anderson was the Spartans' top swimmer as she finished second in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:04.77, and was part of the 200 medley relay team and the 200 freestyle relay that each finished third ... San Jose State next competes in a non-conference meet at UC Davis on Nov. 6.
WAC CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS TO SAN ANTONIO – The 2011 edition of the WAC Championship returns to Palo Alto Natatorium in San Antonio, Texas. Boise State will look to defend its 2010 title in hopes of repeating as WAC champions. The championship will be held Feb. 23-26, 2011.
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP:
Finals: March 17-19, 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
The Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center
Host: Texas