Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Early Bird Invitational
Rams swim through to Early Bird victory
10/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 20, 2007
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Colorado State took home another Early Bird Invitational title this weekend at the Edora Pool and Ice Center (EPIC). After a two-day stint and 40 events, the swimming and diving team finished with 1,274 points.
The main point of the Early Bird is to spot potential and test endurance in the team. Wyoming, TCU, Northern Colorado, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Air Force Academy, CU-Boulder (club), Metro State, Colorado School of Mines and Mesa State were the guests of CSU this weekend.
The Rams continuously stepped up to lead the invite with top five finishes in all of their 20 events. Divers Elyse Hall, Cori Swango, Kristie Bowdler and Jacqueline Bibee took home top 10 finishes in the 1-meter and 3-meter on Friday.
As the endless relays and individual events continued, Colorado State persisted to prove its presence and dominance as a team. Sophomore Nora Kennedy took first in the 200 Fly with a time of 2:09.14 and freshman Michelle Price took second in the 200 Backstroke event. Maddie Gamble rounded out CSU's impressive freshmen with a personal-best time of 18:53 in the 1650 Freestyle, which placed her in second.
"Maddie and Michelle are two freshmen, along with Nora as a sophomore, who are from Fort Collins and really impressed their hometown today," said Head Coach John Mattos.
With nine other teams present at the invite on Saturday, the heats were packed with excitement and potential on both men's and women's events. Wyoming took second place in both men's and women's scores, finishing well ahead of its contenders. Following in third for both genders was TCU. Rounding out the top five in the women's scores was the UNC with 402 points and Nebraska-Omaha with 194.50 points.
"Wyoming did a great job and is a formidable opponent. UNC had a couple of real good swimmers here today," said Mattos.
Colorado State is full steam ahead after the invite and has learned what it takes to get through numerous and strenuous events.
"We're pretty solid in every area and placing in relays will take care of itself. We're pleased we came out on top; we didn't expect it, we worked for it. Next week we will be on the road for the first time this season, which is exciting for the girls, and we will see who will improve time-wise at a higher level," said Mattos.
With a trio of meets behind them the Rams look on to the Quad Duals next weekend at UCSD, where they will take on Air Force, New Mexico and San Diego State.
