BORDER WAR
Colorado State continues its season with its home opener against the Wyoming Cowgirls. CSU has been dominant over Wyoming over the years with an overall record of 41-8, but in the 2013-14 season fell short to the Cowgirls in Wyoming.
“We put the work in during the summer and early fall, and now we will be ready for a tough test here at home,” Head Coach Christopher Woodard said. “This is one of the most marquee match-ups for us during the season, and we are excited for it.”
ORANGE OUT
The Rams’ home opener against Wyoming is their annual Orange Out meet. The first 100 students will receive a free CSU orange T-shirt courtesy of the CSU Bookstore.
SEASON-OPENING SPLIT
The Rams began their season with a split, dominating Nebraska Omaha, 221.5-61.5, but fell short to host Denver, 162-121. CSU began the meet strong, winning the first two events by Jessica Shepard (50 Backstroke; 26.50) and Cristina Bassani (50 Breaststroke; 29.35). Freshman Katie Kicklighter also made a splash in the water by taking home two first places.
The Rams continue to be dominant on the boards, taking 1-2-3 on the 1-meter with Mary Kate Hardy earning first place (255.20) and Ariana Milone winning the 3-meter (298.88).
“Overall I think our team came out with a lot of positive energy and attacked the races, especially early,” Woodard said. “It was a good experience and a good start to our season.”
KICKLIGHTER’S DEBUT
Freshman Katie Kicklighter started her collegiate career with a huge splash for the Rams, winning both of her individual events (50 Freestyle; 23.41 and 100 Freestyle; 51.60.
“She is going to be a key contributor throughout her career here, maybe even more so than we thought,” Woodard said. “She is highly motivated in her events and she is definitely a force to be reckoned with.”
SEASON OUTLOOK
The Colorado State swimming & diving team has nothing but good vibes coming into the 2014-15 season. For the first time in four years, the Rams are coming off a winning dual-meet season. Add that to a lineup which returns more than 80 percent of its letterwinners, and CSU has placed expectations upon itself to be a driving force in the Mountain West.
“I am very optimistic about this year.” Woodard said. “We have the sophomore class that knows what to expect and how to compete at this level, and they are a great compliment to our upperclassmen. We also have very capable freshmen.”
ON THE BOARDS
The Rams also return a tremendous group of divers. Led by junior Ariana Milone and senior Melissa Bollig – who both scored at last season’s conference championship meet – the talented group of divers is expected to carry the program to another successful season.
“Once again, our diving team will be among the best in the conference,” Woodard said. “Ari is our strongest diver, and she’ll steal a lot of first places, which helps our team win dual meets and puts points on the board for us. Our diving team is very experienced and strong.”
Milone finished fifth in the 1-meter diving event at the Mountain West Championships last February, the Rams’ highest finish. She also earned ninth place on the 3-meter springboard, while Bollig placed eighth in the 1-meter event.
Those two, in addition to Paige Greely and Mary Kate Hardy, qualified for NCAA Zones in 2013-14, the most represented by CSU in more than a decade and tied for the most in the Mountain West.
VETERAN AND SKILLED LINEUP
In addition the strong diving group and veteran presence, the Rams are also optimistic because of their balance.
“We have a much more-rounded team this year,” Woodard said. “Megan Lloyd is a force in the Mountain West and Karin Roh, our freestyler, has really come into her own and is extremely motivated this year. Jessica Shepard and Tess Simpson are also lynch pins to what we do. They have a lot of diversity, and they know how to swim tough.”
Shepard earned All-Mountain West honors last year, finishing fifth in the 100 Backstroke, while Simpson placed 10th in the 100 Breaststroke.
Woodard and his staff added seven freshmen to its roster this year, highlighted by four Colorado athletes and High School All-American Katie Kicklighter.
“I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen from our freshmen,” Woodard said. “They’re clicking well, and I expect them to make an immediate impact for us. They understand what it means to be Ram tough.”
RENOVATIONS TO MOBY POOL
With a new year comes new renovations to Moby Pool. There has been a joint effort between campus and athletics to update the swimming facilities, which has the Rams excited.
“I hope the updates invigorate our athletes,” Woodard said. “Not to make excuses for my girls, but I think that it is tough on them seeing the same thing every day, and after these renovations they will have a little shot and a sense of pride.
The renovations include updated bleachers and painted walls, and most importantly, new starting blocks and a rebrand to the pool deck.
SEASON GOALS
Building off last year’s success, it is clear that the Rams’ swimming & diving program is headed in the right direction.
“Our goal is to beat as many people as we can along the way and build confidence to be ready for the Mountain West Championships.”
UP NEXT
CSU will be home again next week, facing Idaho and San Diego State in a double dual meet on Saturday, Nov. 1. The meet will begin at 11 a.m.
College Swimming News courtesy of CSU.