BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- The Roadrunner women's swimming and diving team added three new members to the family this week. Chris Hansen, CSU Bakersfield's Director of Swimming, announced the signing of three young women, Miriam Gonzales, Jayssielisa Haynes, and Alisa Cooke, to National Letters of Intent to compete for the 'Runners starting in 2016.
“We are excited to sign three Californian women for next year!” Hansen said. “Alisa Cooke, Miriam Gonzales, and Jayssie Haynes are all three going to help our women in a big way. We are losing a ton of points graduating Nicolette Goncalves, Michaela Paige, Chrisy Vo, Kelsey Lange, and Meghan van Raalte. Those seniors are our relay swimmers.”
While several point contributors are set to move on from the Roadrunners after this season, Hanson is optimistic the incoming student-athletes will provide a bright future: “Cooke and Gonzales both come in with faster times then these ladies did in high school. They could really help by taking those relays spots and help fill the sprint void after we lose Vo and Lange. Haynes is one of the faster women recruits we have had out of high school; she will really help by replacing the points we will lose graduating Paige.”
Cooke will come to Bakersfield from Simi Valley, Calif. next year. The freestyle and butterfly specialist went to the Speedo Winter Junior Nationals last year and posted a strong performance on her leg of the Conejo Simi 'A' 800 free relay team (1:53.64). She has a 50 free best time of 24.30 and swam the 100 free in 52.01, just a second and a half outside of CSUB's Top 5.
Haynes is an all-around swimmer who can help the 'Runners out in several events. The native of San Jose, Calif. posts strong times in the distance freestyle events, the breaststroke, and the individual medley. Haynes' 200 breast time of 2:24.39 already places her less than a second off of the CSUB Top 5 in the event.
Gonzalez, a native of Murrieta, Calif. who will graduate from Vista Murrieta High School, was a member of the Mesa Aquatics club team. The incoming freshman has already posted a 50 free time of 24.03, less than half of a second outside of the CSUB Top 5 all-time. Gonzalez also registered a personal best 52.21 in the 100 free.
These three Roadrunners will have to wait another season to suit up for CSUB, but the 2015-16 'Runners will hit the water again next week when they head to San Diego. Bakersfield has been preparing for the highly-competitive A3 Performance Invitational that will take place Nov. 19-21.
~GoRunners.com~
