Nov. 14, 2001
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This Week
The San Diego State swimming and diving team travels to Utah this week for a pair of dual-meet competitions. The Aztecs meet up with Mountain West Conference opponents Brigham Young on Friday at 6 p.m. in Provo and will be in Salt Lake City a day later for a noon meet with Utah. SDSU comes off a 167-129 win over USD on Saturday. The victory is its third consecutive in dual competition this season.
USD Recap
Senior Meghan Casillan placed first in three events and senior Heather DeFelice first in two events Saturday versus USD. All three of Casillan's top finishes were also season-best times for the Aztecs. She swam the 100-yard backstroke in 58.69, the 200 back in 2:09.10 and the 200 individual medley in 2:10.65. Casillan's finishes were part of a string of seven more season bests set by SDSU on Saturday. Sophomore Megan Storey's first-place time of 10:22.35 in the 1,000 freestyle was the fastest in that event this season as was senior Tara Johnson's first-place clocking of 58.83 in the 100 butterfly. Junior Erin Kilpatrick was responsible for two season bests, one in the 200 free (1:55.78) and another in the 100 free (54.25). DeFelice's top finish in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.08) gave the Aztecs another season best. Her other top finish of the afternoon came in the 50 free (25.06). SDSU also set season bests in the 200 medley relay (1:48.68) and 400 free relay (3:37.76). Both of those times were good for first place and helped the Aztecs claim a sweep in relay competition. Overall, SDSU won 9-of-14 swimming events to capture its third straight victory this season in dual meet action.
SDSU This Season
Prior to the USD meet, SDSU swept a double dual with Mountain West Conference foes Air Force and New Mexico. The Aztecs won 12-of-14 swimming events on their way to wins over Air Force, 93-47, and New Mexico, 94-46. The meet was the first of two home events for the Aztecs this season. The Aztecs opened their 2001-02 season on Oct. 19-20 (Fri.-Sat.) at the Pacific Invitational, placing third in the two-day event. Sophomore Jennifer Graham had three top-five finishes on Saturday to lead the team. The Santa Rosa native finished fourth in the 100 butterfly and 200 breaststroke and fifth in the 100 breast. Aztec senior Heather DeFelice had two top-10 finishes on Friday and turned in her best performance of the meet with a third-place swim in the 200 breast on Saturday. Sophomore Megan Storey was the Aztecs' only individual medalist on Friday, winning the 1,650 freestyle with a time of 17:20.35, 27 seconds faster than her nearest competitor.
On The List
Six Aztecs are listed among the Mountain West Conference's top-five times in several events this season. Sophomore Megan Storey is listed in three events. She owns the league's fastest time in the 1,650 freestyle (17:20.35) and fourth best in the 500 free (5:05.72) and 1,000 free (10:26.50). Senior Meghan Casillan is listed twice, third in both the 100 and 200 backstroke with times of 58.97 and 2:09.55, respectively. Senior Tara Johnson is also featured twice, ranking fourth in the 100 butterfly (59.53) and second in the 200 butterfly (2:09.19). Joining Johnson in the 100 fly category is sophomore Jennifer Graham with the fifth-fastest time of 59.87. Senior Heather DeFelice is second in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.13) and junior Erin Kilpatrick third in the 400 individual medley (4:39.59).
Cleaning Up
The Aztecs have placed first in 21 events thus far this season. Twelve of those wins have come by way of three athletes - seniors Meghan Casillan (5) and Heather DeFelice (4) and sophomore Megan Storey (3). SDSU has eight 1-2 sweeps and one 1-2-3-4 sweep this season. SDSU has also yet to lose a relay event in dual competition this season.
On The Chart
Sophomore Jennifer Graham, a transfer from Santa Rosa JC, moved into the Aztecs' top-five all-time bests in the 100 and 200 breaststroke after her performance at the Pacific Invite. Graham swam the school's fourth-best time of 1:07.42 in the 100 and fourth-best in the 200 (2:26.16).
Welcome To Sea Level
SDSU hosts two meets this year. The first, in which the Aztecs swept Air Force and New Mexico, was on Nov. 3 and the second comes against Northern Arizona on Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. All home meets will be held at Southwestern College in Chula Vista.
Practice Times
The Aztecs will conduct their training this season at City Heights Pool. For future practice times or directions to the pool, contact the Aztec Media Relations office (619) 594-5547.
Aztec Coaching Staff
SDSU head coach Deena Deardurff Schmidt is in her eighth season as head coach of the Aztec swimming and diving program. Schmidt is assisted by Greg Hutt, also in his eighth season.
Looking Ahead
SDSU will take next weekend off from competition for the Thanksgiving holiday. The team hits the pool again on Nov. 29 for the three-day UNLV Invitational in Las Vegas.