Nov. 27, 2001
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This Week
After a week away from competition, the San Diego State swimming and diving team (3-2 dual) travels to Las Vegas for the three-day UNLV Invitational. Competition gets underway Thursday and runs throught Saturday. SDSU comes off a pair of dual-meet losses to Brigham Young on Nov. 16 and Utah on Nov. 17.
Recapping the Utah Road Swing
SDSU came away from its Utah road trip with five season-best times. Senior Heather DeFelice swam the team's fastest times this season in the 50 freestyle (24.54) and 200 breaststroke (2:24.73) versus Brigham Young. Senior Meghan Casillan also set a season best versus the Cougars, doing so with a 2:06.92 first-place time in the 200 backstroke. Casillan teamed with DeFelice, senior Tara Johnson and junior Erin Kilpatrick to swim the fastest time this season in the 400 medley relay at BYU. The team's other season best came against Utah in the form of a second-place finish (54.21) in the 100 free by Kilpatrick. The Aztecs took top honors in six swimming events versus Utah and five at BYU.
Aztec Honors
Aztec senior Meghan Casillan was named the Mountain West Conference's swimmer of the week on Nov. 14. The honor came following her three-win performance at USD. This is her second career swimmer of the week award.
SDSU This Season
Prior to its Utah road trip, SDSU recorded its third-straight win in dual-meet competition with a 167-129 victory over USD. Senior Meghan Casillan placed first in three events and senior Heather DeFelice first in two events. All three of Casillan's top finishes were season best times. Her finishes were part of a string of of seven other Aztec season bests. On Nov. 3, 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
Five 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), fourth-best in the 1,000 free (10:22.35) and fifth in the 500 free (5:05.72). Senior Meghan Casillan is listed twice, fifth in the 100 backstroke and second in the 200 back with times of 58.69 and 2:06.92, respectively. Senior Tara Johnson is also featured twice, ranking fifth in the 100 butterfly (58.83) and third in the 200 fly (2:09.19). Senior Heather DeFelice is fifth in the 50 free (24.54) and 200 breaststroke (2:24.73). Freshman Jennifer Arrow is fifth in the 100 breast (1:06.08).
Cleaning Up
The Aztecs have placed first in 32 events thus far this season. Eighteen of those wins have come by way of three athletes - seniors Meghan Casillan (7) and Heather DeFelice (4) and sophomore Megan Storey (7). SDSU has 14 1-2 sweeps and one 1-2-3-4 sweep this season. The Aztecs have placed first in all but two relay events thus far 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). On Nov. 16 senior Heather DeFelice recorded the school's fifth-fastest time in the 50 free (24.54). DeFelice teamed with Meghan Casillan, Tara Johnson and Erin Kilpatrick to record the program's second-fastest time of 1:48.68 in the 200 medley relay also on Nov. 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 are 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's last match this semester comes on Dec. 8 when it hosts Northern Arizona. The Aztecs next compete Jan. 4-5 at the UC Irvine Invite.