Colorado State University Athletics
Swimming and diving preview: Rams begin season at DU Saturday
10/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 8, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
By Danielle Musso
Athletic Media Relations
This Week…
The Colorado State swimming and diving team will open the season by traveling to the University of Denver for the DU Relays meet. This is the second year the relay meet has taken place, but the first year CSU has attended. The meet will be at El Pomar Natatorium with the race shooting off the blocks at 12 p.m. MT.
2009 DU Relays…
Besides Colorado State, four other teams will be vying to break into the 2009-10 competition circuit. The University of Denver, University of Wyoming, Mesa State and Adams State,; who is in its inaugural season with swimming and diving, will fill the lanes of El Pomar Natatorium.
Class of 2010…
Nine swimmers will fight for an excellent 2009-10 season, as it will be their final campaign. The Rams’ senior class is made up of swimmers Lindsay Borman, Carmen Gisella Cianci, Nora Kennedy, Mari Anna Loftness, Valerie Maldonado, Kathleen McCleary, Jennifer Muniz, Molly Myers and Shaelen Quigley.
Returning Rams…
The Rams hold a strong mix of veterans and rookies on their squad of 42 student-athletes. Returning to Moby Pool is a total of 22 letter winners, 20 swimmers and two divers.
The team welcomes back 10 all-MWC swimmers: senior Carmen Gisella Cianci (200 Freestyle), junior Sam Dole (50 Freestyle), sophomore Breann Fuller (100 and 200 Backstrokes), junior Maddie Gamble (500 and 1650 Freestyles), senior Nora Kennedy (100 Butterfly), senior Mari Anna Loftness (200 Breaststroke), junior Nicole Lynch (100 and 200 Breaststrokes), senior Kathleen McCleary (1650 Freestyle), senior Jennifer Muniz (400 Individual Medley) and junior Michelle Price (400 Individual Medley and 100 Backstroke).
Newcomers…
Colorado State swimming adds a total of 14 new faces to the team, one transfer and 13 freshmen. Jennifer Lamb is a transfer from UCLA, where she competed for the Bruins during the 2008-09 season. The 2009-10 freshman class consists of 10 swimmers: Lindsay Banning (Sprint/Breast), Kiana Carter (Sprint/Back), Tara DeMuth (Fly), Tasia DeMuth (Sprint/Breast), Mary Foster (Mid.-Distance/Free), McKenna Gustafson (Sprint/Fly), Arianne Lujan (Individual Medley), Kelly Mathews (Breast), Genevieve Swartz (Free) and Lydia Templin (Backstroke). Rounding out the rest of the fresh faces are three divers: Roya Asin, Chelea Kelly and Madeline Mitchell.
Quotes from Head Coach John Mattos…
On goals for DU Relays meet:
“ To start the season with a little bit of competitive fun; there is not a lot on the line. It will establish awareness of what our depth might be and how the kids are adapting to the racing environment.”
On feeling ready for meet:
“Not entirely. We are in a heavy phase of training and we will have to go in tired and swim fast.”
On expectations for meet:
“To break up all the training that has been going on, to have fun and get all the kids together. All the kids will be swimming at least three relays, with two of the top times from each relay scoring.”
On which team he is looking forward to seeing:
“Obviously Wyoming because they are in our conference and DU because, I think, it is a better improved team over last year. “
On which CSU swimmers he is looking forward to seeing:
“All our seniors and upperclassmen, to get an idea of where they are at and how they are adapting to training. Of course, our new athletes: Arianne Lujan, Mary Foster, Genevieve Swartz and Jennifer Lamb. They have improved the training level that has been on the table. Also this will be out-of-state-kids first at-altitude meet: Mary, Genevieve and Jen.”
Preseason Poll…
The MWC preseason poll will be released Thursday.