Aztecs Prep for Another Double Dual Meet on Tuesday

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State swim and dive program continues its busy stretch early this week when it plays host to Cal State East Bay and Colorado College in a double dual meet on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Aztec Aquaplex. First race is scheduled for 2 p.m. PT, and admission is free.

A total of 11 swimming events will be contested against the Pioneers and Tigers, commencing with the 200 medley relay to be followed by the 1,000 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 50 freestyle and 400 individual medley.  After a short break, the meet resumes with the 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 500 freestyle, 100 breaststroke and 200 freestyle relay. Additionally, Aztec divers will square off against Colorado College on the 1- and 3-meter springboards.

SDSU is coming off a home sweep of Pepperdine (165-129) and New Mexico (165-126) in a double dual meet on Jan. 2.  The Aztecs logged the fastest times or highest marks in 15 of 16 events and were bestowed victories in 11 of those to raise their record to 7-0 in dual-meet competition this season.

SDSU displayed its tremendous depth as nine different competitors captured event titles, including Alli Mann (100 free, 200 fly), who took home a pair of crowns that counted towards the Scarlet and Black’s team score, while Summer West (1,000 free), Wilma Johansson (200 free), Liv Peebles (100 back), Moa Bergdahl (100 breast), Meredith Smithbaker (50 free), Elisa Branca (200 breast), Valentina Lopez Arevalo (1M dive) and Jessica Schroeder (3M dive) emerged triumphant as well.

With their results, the Aztecs extended their winning streak to 72 straight dual meets. San Diego State has not lost a dual meet since dropping a 153-147 decision to Colorado State at home on Jan. 8, 2018, a span of seven years.

As of Jan. 6, Meredith Smithbaker boasts the Mountain West’s fastest times thus far in the 50 free (22.42) and 100 free (48.33), while Abby Storm tops the conference in the 200 back (1:55.11). In addition, the Aztecs’ 200 medley relay team of Smithbaker, Mann, Kaydence Bispo and Peebles own the league’s top time of 1:30.08. All performances were recorded at the Iowa Hawkeye Invitational, Nov. 21-23.

SDSU has captured all five dual meets against Cal State East Bay, including a 132-118 triumph last season at Aztec Aquaplex on Jan. 5, 2024. The Scarlet and Black posted the fastest times in all 14 races and were awarded victories in nine, including two apiece by Avery Turney (100, 200 free) and Reka Nyiradi (100 fly, 200 back).

CSU East Bay claimed the team title at the La Verne Winter Collegiate Invitational in its last meet, Nov. 22-24, topping 15 other squads in Monterey Park, California. The Pioneers are 1-3 in dual meet competition this year after splitting a pair of encounters at home against Simon Fraser, Nov. 1-2. East Bay emerged victorious by a 104-63 count in its opening clash with SFU before dropping an 87-80 decision the following day.

The Pioneers will face their second and third Mountain West opponents of the season this week after falling to Nevada 156-81 in Reno on Oct. 5. Following Tuesday’s battle at SDSU, East Bay will travel to San José State on Jan. 10. Last year, the Pioneers topped 12 other schools to win the Pacific Coast Swimming Conference championship.

The Aztecs have faced Colorado College on one previous occasion, posting a 62-32 road victory on Jan. 19, 2008. The Tigers have been idle since late November after finishing third out of 10 teams at the Centre College Invitational in Danville, Kentucky.

Colorado College is 2-1 in dual meets this season after routing Adams State (182.5 to 31.5) at home on Nov. 16. Last year, the Tigers placed second out of 10 schools at the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships in Garland, Texas.

Following Tuesday’s action, San Diego State will make the short drive across town to battle conference rival Colorado State and the University of San Diego in a three-team invitational on Saturday, Jan. 11, at the USD Sports Center Pool. First swim is set for noon PT.

In addition, Aztec divers will compete at the CBU Lancer Invitational, Jan. 9-11, in Riverside, California. Individual results will be ultimately factored into team scores for the SDSU-CSU-USD meet.