Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Travel to Mines for Dual
1/15/2020 2:00:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving
CSU riding wave of dual wins in California
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The opening act was impressive, now the key is to make it consistent part of the home stretch of the season.
Colorado State women's swimming and diving broke open the 2020 portion of the schedule with a pair of dual victories over Pepperdine and New Mexico in Malibu, Calif., last week. The wins were fueled by nine race victories, including a sweep of the relays, performances the Rams look to continue Friday as they head south to Colorado School of Mines for a swimming-only affair.
The dual begins at 5 p.m. at the campus natatorium.
It was the first meet of the season where coach Christopher Woodard had the full complement of his lineup, and while that was beneficial, the approach was vital.
"Obviously, there's the advantage of having everyone available and having everyone swimming out of altitude," Woodard said. "Even taking those two factors out, I had a whole team which was energized and contributing in all events, and that to me is really encouraging. We've always preached from the beginning of the season it's All In. If we're going to make a move, we are primarily built on depth. So, having that depth available and having everyone contributing, that's a key factor to our success.
The two teams will use a 13-race format, but without diving (the Orediggers lack a diving program), two spots will be filled with 15-minute breaks. What it presents is a third opportunity for the distance crew, the 1,650-yard freestyle and 400 individual medley part of the program.
The team has competed in those events in a double dual with Wyoming and Washington State, as well as at the Phil Hansell Invitational, both competed by late November. While Woodard is intrigued by what those races can bring, he's more focused on a continuation of what he witnessed the last time in a competitive setting.
Friday, it will be attitude over effort, as the meet gives him a chance to play with the lineup.
"Seeing them close races really well, not breathing in and out of turns, bringing their legs in really strong, maintaining their rate, that was really encouraging," Woodard said. "Being able to manage their races. Some kids were in a back and forth. Abbey Owenby was a good example, watching her in the middle of her 1,000 (freestyle) start to give up lane space and yardage to her opponent from New Mexico, then pour it on in the end and still take the win. I think there's a lot of encouraging factors in the way they approached their races."
The Rams are 1-0 lifetime against Mines, which is 4-5 this season. Two of the Orediggers' losses have come to Mountain West competition (Wyoming and Air Force).
Rams in the Top 10 of the Mountain West
3. Skylar Williams, platform, 225.83
3. Julia Box, 200 butterfly, 2:00.36
3. 400 medley relay, 3:44.25
4. 200 medley relay, 1:42.44
6. 400 free relay, 3:24.71
7. 200 free relay, 1:34.07
8. Julia Box, 100 butterfly, 55.03
8. Jennae Fredrick, 200 butterfly, 2:02.42
8. 800 free relay, 7:33.38
9. Abbey Owenby, 1,650 freestyle, 17:08.36
9. Marie Goodwyn, 400 IM, 4:23.44
10. Madison Hunter, 1650 freestyle, 17:11.65
Colorado State women's swimming and diving broke open the 2020 portion of the schedule with a pair of dual victories over Pepperdine and New Mexico in Malibu, Calif., last week. The wins were fueled by nine race victories, including a sweep of the relays, performances the Rams look to continue Friday as they head south to Colorado School of Mines for a swimming-only affair.
The dual begins at 5 p.m. at the campus natatorium.
It was the first meet of the season where coach Christopher Woodard had the full complement of his lineup, and while that was beneficial, the approach was vital.
"Obviously, there's the advantage of having everyone available and having everyone swimming out of altitude," Woodard said. "Even taking those two factors out, I had a whole team which was energized and contributing in all events, and that to me is really encouraging. We've always preached from the beginning of the season it's All In. If we're going to make a move, we are primarily built on depth. So, having that depth available and having everyone contributing, that's a key factor to our success.
The two teams will use a 13-race format, but without diving (the Orediggers lack a diving program), two spots will be filled with 15-minute breaks. What it presents is a third opportunity for the distance crew, the 1,650-yard freestyle and 400 individual medley part of the program.
The team has competed in those events in a double dual with Wyoming and Washington State, as well as at the Phil Hansell Invitational, both competed by late November. While Woodard is intrigued by what those races can bring, he's more focused on a continuation of what he witnessed the last time in a competitive setting.
Friday, it will be attitude over effort, as the meet gives him a chance to play with the lineup.
"Seeing them close races really well, not breathing in and out of turns, bringing their legs in really strong, maintaining their rate, that was really encouraging," Woodard said. "Being able to manage their races. Some kids were in a back and forth. Abbey Owenby was a good example, watching her in the middle of her 1,000 (freestyle) start to give up lane space and yardage to her opponent from New Mexico, then pour it on in the end and still take the win. I think there's a lot of encouraging factors in the way they approached their races."
The Rams are 1-0 lifetime against Mines, which is 4-5 this season. Two of the Orediggers' losses have come to Mountain West competition (Wyoming and Air Force).
Rams in the Top 10 of the Mountain West
3. Skylar Williams, platform, 225.83
3. Julia Box, 200 butterfly, 2:00.36
3. 400 medley relay, 3:44.25
4. 200 medley relay, 1:42.44
6. 400 free relay, 3:24.71
7. 200 free relay, 1:34.07
8. Julia Box, 100 butterfly, 55.03
8. Jennae Fredrick, 200 butterfly, 2:02.42
8. 800 free relay, 7:33.38
9. Abbey Owenby, 1,650 freestyle, 17:08.36
9. Marie Goodwyn, 400 IM, 4:23.44
10. Madison Hunter, 1650 freestyle, 17:11.65
Players Mentioned
FREE, FLY
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
FLY, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
FREE
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
FREE
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
DIVE
/ Women's Swimming & DivingWednesday, March 18
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Monday, August 16
Monday, November 18