Rams earn 2 victories Friday

MEET RESULTS

The Colorado State swimming & diving team competed on Friday for the first time in seven weeks, but had little rust to shake off, going 2-1 at Aztec Aquaplex. The Rams earned convincing wins over North Texas (220.5-79.5) and Tulane (223-76), and fell just short against undefeated San Diego State (149-137), the reigning Mountain West champions.

CSU had several key performances on the day, but the biggest were saved for the end. CSU athletes took first in each of the final four events, allowing the team to build on its two leads and make a comeback attempt against the Aztecs that eventually ran out of events.

In the 100 Butterfly, the 13th event of the day, junior Tess Simpson<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/tess_simpson_770144.html> earned the Rams’ first top finish, winning with a time of 58:04. The Rams also won the 200 IM (Jessica Shepard, 2:10.90) and 400 Freestyle Relay (3:33.95), in addition to 3-Meter Diving.

CSU swept the 3-meter event, claiming the top three spots, led by sophomore Ariana Milone<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/ariana_milone_826816.html> (290.95). Finishing second was junior transfer Melissa Bollig<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/melissa_bollig_845063.html> (254.35). It was Bollig’s first-ever meet with the Rams after missing the first half of the season due to NCAA transfer rules.

In addition to CSU’s first-place finishes, several Rams placed in the top three, including: Allison Arnold<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/allison_arnold_845038.html> (500 and 1000 Freestyle); Cristina Bassani<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/cristina_bassani_826696.html> (100 Breaststroke); Bollig (3-Meter Diving); Yana Garvey<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/yana_garvey_719931.html> (100 and 200 Backstroke); Felicia Gilson<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/felicia_gilson_826700.html> (100 Butterfly); Paige Greely<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/paige_greely_826701.html> (1-Meter and 3-Meter Diving); Alexandra Jacobs<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/alexandra_jacobs_845040.html> (200 IM); Megan Lloyd<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/megan_lloyd_845035.html> (200 Breaststroke and 200 Butterfly); Gabby Morley<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/gabby_morley_845042.html> (500 Freestyle); and the Rams’ 400 Freestyle and 200 Medley Relay teams.

Arnold’s time in the 1000 Freestyle was CSU’s best of the season by nearly 12 seconds. Yana Garvey<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/yana_garvey_719931.html> (200 Backstroke, 2:03.55) and Megan Lloyd<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/megan_lloyd_845035.html> (200 Breaststroke, 2:21.06) also had CSU’s top times of the season on Friday. Although she had already qualified, Milone’s score on the 3-meter boards once again was NCAA Zones qualifying.

The victories give the Rams a 4-3 dual-meet record entering the team’s home contest vs. New Mexico on Saturday, Jan. 18. The meet, which will begin at 11 a.m., is Senior Day. Admission is free.

This release was provided to SwimSwam courtesy of CSU Swimming and Diving.