BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The 2010 Conference USA Championships in Houston are on this week's slate for the CSUB women's swimming and diving team with competition beginning Wednesday, Feb. 24 and concluding Saturday, Feb. 27 in the CRWC Natatorium on the campus of University of Houston.
The women's side of the championship features nine teams including CSUB, Southern Methodist, East Carolina, Houston, Rice, North Dakota, Tulane, Marshall and Northern Colorado.
“We have a lot more people seeded this year, a lot seeded in the top eight and people seeded in multiple events,” said Head Coach Pat Skehan. “We've worked hard all year and haven't had an unnecessary drama or distractions. I think we are going to see a lot of good drops and take some shots at some varsity records, which hasn't happened in a long time.”
Leading the way for the Roadrunners will be Rachel McCall, Stephanie Donnelly and Rachel Holm, all of whom had earned top eight seeds in multiple events. McCall's top times so far this season include 23.82 in the 50 free, 51.88 in the 100 free, 1:55.46 in the 200 free, 1:05.34 in the 100 breast and 2:23.28 in the 200 breast. Her time in the 100 breast is a CSUB record, which she achieved at the US Short Course Nationals in December.
Donnelly holds season-best times of 58.77 in the 100 back, 2:07.23 in the 200 back, 57.56 in the 100 fly and 2:10.44 in the 200 fly. Holm also holds a CSUB top five time in the 100 breast (1:05.81).
Skehan also expects top performances from Louise Westergren, who was seeded in the 50 free, along with Olivia Ramos, Michelle Kroll and Brooke Penney.
“They are all in a position to step up and score some points for us,” said Skehan.
Divers Victoria Kreutz and Hannah Yoder should also excel in the one and three-meter springboard events. Kreutz took fourth in the one-meter event and sixth in the three-meter event last year.
“We will achieve season-best marks across the board and make some impact statements,” said Skehan. “We have more balance more people who will score than we have in past years.”
