BAKERSFIELD, Calif.- While the San José State Spartans swam to a big win over CSU Bakersfield on Friday morning, the Roadrunners got some good news in the strong return of one of their top swimmers, Michaela Paige (Jr., Lompoc, Calif., Cabrillo HS). After a five-week training camp, the 'Runners lost to SJSU 199.5-97.5, but Paige's quick swims proved her to be back to normal health which will benefit CSUB in the long run.
“It is certainly nice to have Michaela back,” said Chris Hansen, Bakersfield's Director of Swimming. “She went 1:51.45 in the 200 free and that's her best of the season and will probably rank her in the top three or four in the WAC right now. That's what she was doing this time last season to prepare her to go 1:47 at the end. It's nice to see her do it so that's great news.” Not only did Paige drop her best 200 free time this season by almost three seconds, she managed to leapfrog herself from just outside the Top 20 in the Western Athletic Conference to record the third best WAC time this season. The junior will need to ride this momentum if she plans to move out of second-place all-time for the 'Runners and break Loni Burton's school record of 1:47.10.
Paige would go on to the lead CSUB with a second-place finish in the 500 free (5:06.92), but was not the only 'Runner who had a successful day. Lauren Kaufman (Sr., Renton, Wash., TCU) sprinted her way to a win in the 50 free with a time of 24.29, while Paola Hernandez (So., Lompoc, Calif., Cabrillo HS) picked up a rare split-win as she and SJSU's Taylor Solorio tied in the 100 free (52.44). The sophomore would go on to earn second-place finishes in a couple of off-events as well: 100 fly (57.47) and 100 back (58.17). Finally, Delise Batiza (Sr., San Ramon, Calif., Oregon State) missed her season best time by just over one second in the 1000 free with a second-place finish and a time of 10:32.40.
“We are in training camp, so, we are really tired,” said Hansen. “I kept trying to tell the team that you might be tired, but you're going to be stronger. Paola and Michaela were great today. Dylana's 200 breaststroke was amazing today. Delise swam well today. This is faster than I thought we'd be able to swim after five weeks of training camp. I'm psyched, really!” Milobar's 200 breast time of 2:24.52 is less than a second off of her season-best time in the event.
While Cari Reiswig of SJSU picked up 18 points with wins on both boards, the Roadrunner divers also impressed Hansen: “I was pleased with Carlee Burks leading the divers to 2-3-4 finishes. Last year, there were meets that we lost because of diving and now we go into every meet saying 'Thank God we have it' because they are the reasoning we are winning some meets.” Burks (So., Bakersfield, Calif., Centennial HS) finished second in both events for the 'Runners, scoring 243.68 points on the 1m board and 249.23 for the 3m.
The Roadrunner women will rejoin the men next week as the two squads get set to host another meet. On Jan. 6, the men will face off in a dual against UNLV, a tough WAC foe, while the women will host UNLV and Fresno State in a non-conference tri meet. The first event is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Tuesday here at the Hillman Aquatics Complex, so, come on out and support the 'Runners. Don't forget to bring donations for the Operation Gratitude Collection Drive, hosted by CSUB Swimming and Diving. For more information on the drive, click here.
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