Colorado State University Athletics
Saturday, February 10
Denver, CO
10 AM
Colorado State
at
Denver First Chance
Rams’ Trio Takes Advantage of First Chance
2/10/2024 1:02:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Blake comes away with win in 400 individual medley
DENVER – The meet is aptly named, giving swimmers a first chance to set a tone for next season, mimicking a championship feel for a season's final swims.
Colorado State's women's swimming team entered a trio of competitors in the Denver First Chance meet over the weekend, two days highlighted by freshman Lindsey Blake's victory in the 400-yard individual medley on Friday. In her four swims, she placed in the top six in all of them, including the 200 IM and the 100 and 200 backstrokes.
For head coach Christopher Woodard, he hopes the newcomer takes away an encouraging outlook for her sophomore campaign.
"I think she hit some hurdles this year, and not going to conference was crushing for her," he said. "But to come back in (the 400 IM) and go, 'I can still race, still swim,' she's proven it to herself and to us, and it puts her in a better position for the offseason."
Leigha O'Connor placed in the top eight in both of her Saturday events, the 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly, while Azalea Shepherd finished fifth in the 50 free on Friday.
The two day was a mix of some season-best times by the trio, with Blake dropping more than 16 seconds off her previous best in the 400 IM. Again, Woodard wants them to use the meet as fuel.
"I think every time we go to this meet, we're looking at two things. One, can you physically handle a taper and drop time and be there for a championship. That tells me everything we need to know, and with Lindsey, this is a person who can score in the 400 IM," Woodard said. "The second part is this meet is great and has some good energy, but it is not a championship format, so if you can stand behind the block and be mentally disciplined enough to get yourself pump up and execute your race strategy, it also gives me a sense we're headed in the right direction, and you have a good shot next year."
Colorado State's women's swimming team entered a trio of competitors in the Denver First Chance meet over the weekend, two days highlighted by freshman Lindsey Blake's victory in the 400-yard individual medley on Friday. In her four swims, she placed in the top six in all of them, including the 200 IM and the 100 and 200 backstrokes.
For head coach Christopher Woodard, he hopes the newcomer takes away an encouraging outlook for her sophomore campaign.
"I think she hit some hurdles this year, and not going to conference was crushing for her," he said. "But to come back in (the 400 IM) and go, 'I can still race, still swim,' she's proven it to herself and to us, and it puts her in a better position for the offseason."
Leigha O'Connor placed in the top eight in both of her Saturday events, the 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly, while Azalea Shepherd finished fifth in the 50 free on Friday.
The two day was a mix of some season-best times by the trio, with Blake dropping more than 16 seconds off her previous best in the 400 IM. Again, Woodard wants them to use the meet as fuel.
"I think every time we go to this meet, we're looking at two things. One, can you physically handle a taper and drop time and be there for a championship. That tells me everything we need to know, and with Lindsey, this is a person who can score in the 400 IM," Woodard said. "The second part is this meet is great and has some good energy, but it is not a championship format, so if you can stand behind the block and be mentally disciplined enough to get yourself pump up and execute your race strategy, it also gives me a sense we're headed in the right direction, and you have a good shot next year."
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Players Mentioned
BR, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
FR, FL, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
FR
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