SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State swim and dive program continues its early season schedule this weekend when it drives up the coast to battle Pepperdine in a dual meet on Thursday, Oct. 5, before jaunting over to the Central Valley for the Fresno State Invitational, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6-7, in Fresno, California.
The Aztecs will square off against the Waves at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool in Malibu, California, beginning at 10:30 a.m. PT in the first of two head-to-head meetings between the schools this season. Streaming video will be available on a subscription basis via ESPN+, with a link provided on GoAztecs.com.
Admission to the meet is free and because of limited bleacher seating, fans may choose to bring a blanket or chair to sit on the hillside.
SDSU has emerged triumphant in all 20 encounters with the Waves since 2001, including an 83-59 victory in Malibu last season. The Aztecs recorded the top three scoring times in four different individual events and won both relays while boasting three of the top four divers to highlight a successful meet.
Pepperdine will travel to "America's Finest City" for the rematch on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.
San Diego State is coming off a sweep of Cal Poly and Fresno Pacific in a double dual on Sept. 30 in San Luis Obispo, California, defeating the host Mustangs and the Sunbirds by respective scores of 128-71 and 132-38. In a modified format last Saturday, the Aztecs captured all 10 relay events and won two diving competitions, extending their winning streak to 54 consecutive dual-meet victories since Jan. 8, 2018.
Individually, Meredith Smithbaker and Paige Mitchell were represented on four winning relay teams, including the 500 (50-100-150-200) free relay (4:38.08) and the 400 free relay (3:32.38), which featured both swimmers, while Alex Roberts, Riley Tapley and Trine Forss contributed to three victorious squads.
Not to be outdone, Reka Nyiradi was named Mountain West Freshman of the Week for her role in SDSU's spotless weekend, which also included a 150-135 decision over Cal Poly in a head-to-head meet on Sept. 29. Against the Mustangs, the Budapest, Hungary, native captured the event title in the 200 free with a 1:50.52 clocking before competing on a pair of triumphant relay teams in the double dual the following day.
Meanwhile, San Diego State will battle Mountain West foes San José State and the host Bulldogs at the Fresno State Invitational, along with Pac-12 schools UCLA and Washington State.
Friday's action at the Fresno State Aquatics Center gets underway at 11 a.m. PT, with a second session to follow at 6 p.m., while Saturday's competition begins at 10 a.m. Heats will be timed finals, and a link to live results will be available on GoAztecs.com.
SDSU has finished second in all six previous appearances at the Fresno State Invite since 2016. Last year, the Aztecs surged into the runner-up position with a two-day point-total of 794.33, trailing only UCLA's tally of 962.83 points, while California (628.5) took third. Another Pac-12 squad landed in the fourth spot as Washington State racked up 423.5 points, while Mountain West members Fresno State (396.33), Colorado State (379) and San José State (337.5) rounded out the meet.
Following this weekend's events, San Diego State will be off from competition until Nov. 15-17, when it travels to the Lone Star State for the Art Adamson Invitational in College Station, Texas.
Aztecs Prepare for Busy Weekend
