SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State swim and dive team will conduct its final home meet of the regular season on Friday, Jan. 26, when it plays host to the University of San Diego at Aztec Aquaplex. First race is set for noon PT, and admission is free.
Prior to the Aztecs-Toreros clash, SDSU will hold a special Senior Day ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of Jules Harrison, Rachel Hubka, Wilma Johansson, Mai McKenna, Paige Mitchell, Alex Roberts, Evonne Stehr, Riley Tapley and Christiana Williams.
Friday's meet will feature 14 scored swimming events, beginning with the 200 medley relay to be followed by the 1,000 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, 500 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 200 individual medley and 400 freestyle relay.
In addition, the Scarlet and Black will battle USD in a pair of diving competitions on the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard.
San Diego State is coming off a sweep of Pepperdine (109-98) and Loyola Marymount (111-87) in a double dual meet on Jan. 19 at Aztec Aquaplex.
SDSU's tremendous depth was once again on full display in the individual swimming races, as seven different swimmers posted the fastest time in their respective events.
Not to be outdone, diver Valentina Lopez Arevalo emerged triumphant on both the 1-meter (278.03) and 3-meter springboard (303.60), giving her 11 event titles for the season. Both of her performances surpassed NCAA Zone qualifying standards.
As of Jan. 25, the Aztecs boast seven of the best individual times in the Mountain West thus far, along with two of the top relays (200 free relay, 400 free relay).
Reigning MW Swimmer of the Year Alex Roberts maintains the top spot in the 50 fly (24.80), 100 IM (55.29) and 200 back (1:53.45), the latter of which ranks 15th in the country entering the weekend.
In addition, Smithbaker is tied for 33rd nationally in the 50 free (22.24) to go with a league-best effort in the 100 free (49.48), while Williams occupies the fifth and 36th positions, respectively in the 50 breast (28.68) and 200 breast (2:10.79).
Not to be outdone, the Aztecs' 200 freestyle relay team of Hubka, Smithbaker, Alyssa Schiller and Avery Turney ranks 30th in the country after placing fifth with a time of 1:30.86 in a stacked field at the Art Adamson Invitational in Texas last November, while SDSU's 400 freestyle relay team of Smithbaker, Turney, Stehr and Schiller is slotted 47th nationally this week after posting a fourth-place finish of 3:20.00 at the same meet.
Friday's crosstown battle marks the second of three scheduled meetings vs. USD this season. The Aztecs will also square off against the Toreros in a long course meet at Aztec Aquaplex at a day and time to be determined in April.
Earlier, the two sides opened the 2023-24 with their annual pentathlon meet, as the Scarlet and Black prevailed at the USD Sports Center Pool. The Aztecs won all 11 races and boasted at least the top-four finishers in nine of those competitions, led by the freshman duo of Reka Nyiradi and Trine Forss, who each captured three event titles.
Including their annual pentathlon meets, SDSU has been victorious in 32 straight meetings against the Toreros dating back to the 2000-01 season.
Following Friday's festivities vs. USD, Aztec divers will journey to the Grand Canyon State for the NAU Lumberjack Invitational, Feb. 8-10, in Flagstaff, Arizona.
San Diego State will look to capture its third consecutive conference title two weeks later when it travels to the Lone Star State for the 2024 Mountain West Championships, Feb. 21-24, in Houston, Texas.