Aztecs Roll Past USD, Vanderbilt in Double Dual Meet
It was business as usual for the San Diego State swim and dive program, which rang in the new year with a pair of victories over the University of San Diego (153-132) and Vanderbilt (146-107) on Friday in a double dual meet at Aztec Aquaplex.
SAN DIEGO – It was business as usual for the San Diego State swim and dive program, which rang in the new year with a pair of victories over the University of San Diego (153-132) and Vanderbilt (146-107) on Friday in a double dual meet at Aztec Aquaplex.
With the decisions, SDSU extends its winning streak to 82 dual meets and is six days shy of seven years since its last defeat, a 153-147 setback to Colorado State on Jan. 8, 2018.
The Aztecs recorded the fastest times or highest marks in 14 of 16 events and were awarded victories in 11 of those to raise their record to 7-0 in dual-meet action this season.
San Diego State’s trademark depth was on full display, as eight different competitors captured individual event titles that counted towards the Scarlet and Black’s team score.
The Aztecs set the tone for the day after leading off with a 1-2 finish in the 200 medley relay. The foursome of Abby Storm, Moa Bergdahl, Alli Mann and Alyssa Schiller combined for a victorious time of 1:43.62, while the quartet of Charlotte Sevin, Roni Black, Alex Downing and Kaydence Bispo placed second at 1:46.25.
SDSU boasted the top three competitors in the 200 freestyle, where Reka Nyiradi emerged triumphant with a swim of 1:51.52, while Bispo (1:52.59) edged Melanie Quinto (1:53.13) for the second spot.
The Aztecs duplicated the feat in the 100 breaststroke, as Bergdahl touched the wall with a winning time of 1:02.57, while Black finished in the second spot with a clocking of 1:03.94, followed by Elisa Branca, who took third at 1:05.37.
San Diego State’s success continued in the 200 butterfly, where Sierra Tallman logged the top performance in the event with a time of 2:04.06, edging Amber Janky (2:04.61).
The Aztecs’ dominance was also featured in the 50 free, as Mann posted a victorious sprint of 23.18, besting another pair of teammates in Schiller (23.43) and Camille Seiley (24.44).
After intermission, the SDSU juggernaut rolled on, as Bispo claimed the top prize in the 100 free after completing the race in 51.70, while Masen Karsten placed fourth at 53.51, while Seiley (53.74) was a close fifth.
Grace Mering was the Aztecs’ top finisher in the 200 back after posting a third-place effort of 2:08.02, while Quinto was slotted fifth at 2:08.28.
San Diego State flashed its supremacy in the 200 breaststroke, where the Scarlet and Black sported the top three competitors. Black captured the title with a winning time of 2:16.98, while Branca clocked in at 2:20.60 to finish in the second position, followed by Bergdahl’s third-place feat of 2:20.96.
Appearing in the 500 freestyle for the first time as a collegian, Janky emerged victorious with a personal-best performance of 5:02.15, while Nyiradi was slotted third at 5:08.79.
With insurmountable leads on the team scoreboard, the remainder of the Aztecs’ finishes were scored as exhibitions.
Mann recorded the fastest time in the 100 butterfly after touching the wall at 54.11, while Tallman was second at 55.88.
As the meet progressed, SDSU logged the seven best swims in the 200 individual medley, led by Nyiradi’s clocking of 2:05.38, while Tallman (2:05.84), Janky (2:06.68), Mering (2:07.76) Black (2:07.95), Branca (2:08.36) and Bergdahl (2:09.48) followed in succession.
Rounding out the day’s swimming docket, the Aztecs’ 200 freestyle relay team of Seiley, Karsten, Julia Reed and Emily Tenczar joined forces to record the top time in the event at 1:34.88, while the combo of Mann, Bispo, Schiller and Storm took third at 1:39.39.
San Diego State logged the top performances in both diving competitions, with those marks deemed exhibitions as well. Meja Palmer eclipsed an NCAA zone qualifying standard on the 1-meter springboard with a season-best score of 271.35, while Sophia Hineline also set a season high in the 3-meter event after racking up 268.80 points.
The Aztecs continue their busy stretch on Monday, Jan. 5, when they welcome Pepperdine and Cal State East Bay to The Mesa for another double dual meet at Aztec Aquaplex. First swim is set for 10:30 a.m. PT, and admission is free.