BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - With a deeper roster loaded with
talent, the CSU Bakersfield women's swimming and diving team opened the season
with an exclamation point on Saturday, defeating Seattle 202-86 in their first-ever Western
Athletic Conference meet at the Hillman Aquatics Center.
Freshman Michaela Paige (Lompoc, Calif., Cabrillo HS) made
quite a splash in the first meet of her collegiate career, not only winning the
200-yard butterfly, but also breaking a CSUB school record in the process with
a time of 2:03.63. She also took first place in the 500 freestyle with a time
of 5:05.34.
"I am stunned. We haven't been very good the last few years
and to come out and destroy our first WAC team that bad certainly is a
statement piece for the women," said CSUB Director of Swimming Chris Hansen. "Never in a million years would I have thought that I would see these
results for the CSUB women. We are going to really race some teams this year.
Michaela Paige breaking that record is unheard of in her first dual meet as a freshman.
With winning the 500 free as a freshman, Michaela was nothing short of a stud
today."
The 'Runners' 200 medley relay started the meet off on a
good note, taking first place with a time of 1:45.89, which is the
second-fastest mark in school history. Delise Batiza (So., San Ramon, Calif.,
Oregon State) won the 100 free in 10:32.58, which is the third fastest in
'Runner history.
Jeanette Dove (Jr., Fontana, Calif., UC Santa Cruz) placed
first in the 100 back (59.76), Lauren Kaufman (So., Renton, Wash., TCU) won the
50 free (24.15), Taylor Hanson (Jr., Modesto, Calif., Johansen HS) took first
in the 100 free (52.72) and Nicolet Goncalves (Fr., Mississauga, Ontario,
Erindale Secondary School)
As a team, the 'Runners, who joined the WAC prior to the start of the 2012 season before the entire CSUB athletic department accepted an invitation to join the WAC in 2013, took first place in 15 of the 18 events.
With 17 new swimmers on the roster this year, CSUB was led by the newcomers on
Saturday. Senior Lily Donohue
(Portland, Ore., Boise St.) was the only returning swimmer 'Runner to tally a
win as she won the 200 backstroke (2:08.92). Returning diver Jordan Reed (Sr.,
Bakersfield, Calif., Liberty HS) also swept the women's diving events, which
were uncontested by the Red Hawks.
CSUB will be back on action on Oct. 27 with a home meet
against Pacific. The meet is slated to begin at 1 p.m.
~www.GoRunners.com~
