SAN DIEGO – After a month-long hiatus, San Diego State swimmers return to the competition pool on Tuesday, Dec. 19, when they play host to Mountain West adversary Air Force in a dual meet at Aztec Aquaplex. First race is scheduled for 10 a.m. PT, and admission is free.
The Aztecs' home opener will feature 14 swim-only events, commencing with the 200 medley relay to be followed by the 1,000 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, 50 butterfly and 50 freestyle. After a short break, the meet resumes with the 100 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 50 breaststroke, 500 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 100 individual medley and 400 freestyle relay.
SDSU is 5-0 in dual meets this season, extending its winning streak to 55 consecutive victories after defeating Pepperdine by a 101-47 count on Oct. 5 in Malibu, California. The Aztecs have not dropped a dual meet since falling short to Colorado State at home, 153-147, on Jan. 8, 2018, a span of nearly six years.
San Diego State is 14-2 against Air Force since the 2000-01 campaign and has won 10 straight dual meets vs. the Falcons, including a 108-91 triumph in the last meeting between the two squads nearly two years ago to the date at Aztec Aquaplex on Dec. 21, 2021.
Among SDSU returners, Wilma Johansson, Paige Mitchell and Riley Tapley each won individual event titles in that meet. Johansson (2:06.41) captured the 200 butterfly; Mitchell (10:32.45) was victorious in the 1,000 freestyle, while Tapley (2:03.41) was the fastest swimmer in the 200 backstroke and tied former Aztec Kristina Murphy for the top spot in the 200 individual medley (2:04.12). In addition, Meredith Smithbaker contributed to the Scarlet and Black's triumphant 200 freestyle relay team (1:35.69).
Smithbaker has garnered two Mountain West Swimmer of the Week accolades this season, earning her second honor after leading the Aztecs with 45 individual points at the Art Adamson Invitational, held Nov. 15-17 in College Station, Texas.
The SDSU junior logged three top-seven placements at that meet, highlighted by a victory in the 50 freestyle with a career-fast and NCAA "B" cut time of 22.24, which ranks third in school history. She also recorded a sixth-place swim in 100 freestyle with a season-best 49.48 clocking and finished seventh in the 100 breaststroke with a season-fast 1:01.17, surpassing another NCAA "B" cut qualifying standard.
In addition, reigning MW Swimmer of the Year Alex Roberts emerged triumphant in the 200 backstroke at the Art Adamson Invite, touching the wall with a winning effort of 1:53.45 after finishing fourth in the 100 back at 53.73. Both performances represented NCAA "B" cut times.
The Aztecs boasted several additional swimmers who registered NCAA "B" cut qualifying standards during last month's Texas excursion, including Christiana Williams (100, 200 breast), Abby Storm (200 back), Mai McKenna (200 fly) and Moa Bergdahl (100 breast).
Among SDSU newcomers, Reka Nyiradi has received Mountain West Freshman of the Week recognition on two occasions this fall, claiming one honor after posting 46 points at the Fresno State Invitational (Oct. 7-8). The Budapest, Hungary, native notched four top-six individual placements at that meet, including a fourth-place swim in the 200 fly (2:02.99). She also contributed to a pair of fourth-place relay teams, leading off the Aztecs' 800 free relay (7:34.05) before swimming the butterfly segment of SDSU's 400 medley relay (3:46.81).
Following the holiday break, San Diego State will be back in action when it welcomes Cal State East Bay and Concordia-Irvine for a double-dual meet on Friday, Jan. 5 at Aztec Aquaplex. The swim-only competition is slated for another 10 a.m. PT start.
Aztec Swimmers Set to Host Air Force Tuesday
