Colorado State University Athletics
Saturday, January 11
San Diego, Calif.
1:00 PM
Colorado State
vs
San Diego/San Diego State
Dawson Triples Up Out of the Break
1/11/2025 7:42:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Rams finish second at invite with San Diego, SDSU
SAN DIEGO, Calif.  – The break obviously didn't hurt.
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Facing San Diego and San Diego State at the University of San Diego on Saturday, Colorado State's women's swimming and diving team picked up seven victories in the 16-event competition, finishing second to the Aztecs on the scoreboard, scoring invitational style.
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The two-time defending Mountain West champions finished with 921.5 points, with the Rams coming in at 892; the hosts finished at 669.5. Colorado State wanted to take advantage of the rarity of swimming outdoors by wearing tech suits, which the other two declined to do as both have outdoor facilities.
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The results were encouraging, but even still, CSU coach Christopher Woodard had to give his team a bit of a push to get them in the right frame of mind to compete, replacing woe-is-me with let's get after this.
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"I think it was, but I did have to give them a bit of a kick. I got pretty heated with them all," Woodard said. "We're coming into this meet and all we were hearing was we're suiting up and they're not, I'm not feeling well, this person is next to me. The theme of the meet is you're sick, so what? Your arch nemesis is in the lane next to you, so what? You're suited and they're not. So what?
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"It doesn't matter. We have to stop paying attention to all the reasons why we're not in the best place and instead enjoy the opportunity. We don't get to race outdoors at sea level very often. For some of them, it may be their only time in their four years here. I think by the end of the meet they got the message."
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Erin Dawson won three of the races for the Rams, and in two instances, led a 1-2-3 finish for CSU.
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The redshirt junior won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:50.37, then came back with wins in the 500 free and the 200 individual medley. In the 500 free, teammates Maya White and Mia Axelman followed; in the 200 IM, it was Maisy Barbosa touching second and Lindsey Blake third.
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"I think most impressive for her is she was lighter in the water, riding higher and kicking more aggressively and early in her events. That's really encouraging," Woodard said. "She came out every time and said that felt good, I feel like I can do more. That's not a bad sign, especially coming off training at home and we know we beat them up this week. I wasn't expecting lights out, and she was lights out."
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The 200 backstroke was an even better showing for the team – a 1-4 finish – led by Tess Whineray. Sophia Hemingway was second, Barbosa third and Blake fourth. Whineray additionally won the 100 back, with Barbosa touching second.
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White posted the other individual win in the 1,000 freestyle, her time just off her altitude-adjusted season best from earlier in the season. Colorado State opened the day with a win in the 200 medley relay with the grouping of Whineray, Katie Flynn, Dawson, and Lexie Trietley.
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Additionally, the Rams were picking up some depth points which had been eluding them, a very promising sign for what it may mean come conference.
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"Lindsey, Sophia and Mia, they all had some really standout races. Like seasonal bests, in season not rested," Woodard said. "I think some of those middle-of-the-pack kids are starting to come around and show we can be players and can be contributors."
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Meanwhile in Riverside, the divers were completing the Lancer Diving Invitational, with Riley Lee qualifying for the finals once again. The 1-meter springboard was the first day all four CSU divers competed, with Maggie Di Scipio also qualifying for the finals, but electing to sit out the next round as she deals with shoulder soreness. Lee placed 11th overall, posting a 240.95 in the prelims for her top score of the day. Di Scipio scored a 234.10. Noelle Tobin, a Pacific Palisades native, competed for the first time and scored well.
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"Once again Riley Lee was steady and consistent with her six dives. The wind was definitely a factor today and the temperatures were a bit chilly for diving outside," CSU diving coach Chris Bergere said. Riley's experience diving outdoors under less than favorable condition's with regard to temperature and wind helped as she really held it together and did some fine dives."
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Colorado State will remain in Southern California to train before returning home in time to prepare for a quad meet at Air Force on Jan. 17-18.
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Facing San Diego and San Diego State at the University of San Diego on Saturday, Colorado State's women's swimming and diving team picked up seven victories in the 16-event competition, finishing second to the Aztecs on the scoreboard, scoring invitational style.
Â
The two-time defending Mountain West champions finished with 921.5 points, with the Rams coming in at 892; the hosts finished at 669.5. Colorado State wanted to take advantage of the rarity of swimming outdoors by wearing tech suits, which the other two declined to do as both have outdoor facilities.
Â
The results were encouraging, but even still, CSU coach Christopher Woodard had to give his team a bit of a push to get them in the right frame of mind to compete, replacing woe-is-me with let's get after this.
Â
"I think it was, but I did have to give them a bit of a kick. I got pretty heated with them all," Woodard said. "We're coming into this meet and all we were hearing was we're suiting up and they're not, I'm not feeling well, this person is next to me. The theme of the meet is you're sick, so what? Your arch nemesis is in the lane next to you, so what? You're suited and they're not. So what?
Â
"It doesn't matter. We have to stop paying attention to all the reasons why we're not in the best place and instead enjoy the opportunity. We don't get to race outdoors at sea level very often. For some of them, it may be their only time in their four years here. I think by the end of the meet they got the message."
Â
Erin Dawson won three of the races for the Rams, and in two instances, led a 1-2-3 finish for CSU.
Â
The redshirt junior won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:50.37, then came back with wins in the 500 free and the 200 individual medley. In the 500 free, teammates Maya White and Mia Axelman followed; in the 200 IM, it was Maisy Barbosa touching second and Lindsey Blake third.
Â
"I think most impressive for her is she was lighter in the water, riding higher and kicking more aggressively and early in her events. That's really encouraging," Woodard said. "She came out every time and said that felt good, I feel like I can do more. That's not a bad sign, especially coming off training at home and we know we beat them up this week. I wasn't expecting lights out, and she was lights out."
Â
The 200 backstroke was an even better showing for the team – a 1-4 finish – led by Tess Whineray. Sophia Hemingway was second, Barbosa third and Blake fourth. Whineray additionally won the 100 back, with Barbosa touching second.
Â
White posted the other individual win in the 1,000 freestyle, her time just off her altitude-adjusted season best from earlier in the season. Colorado State opened the day with a win in the 200 medley relay with the grouping of Whineray, Katie Flynn, Dawson, and Lexie Trietley.
Â
Additionally, the Rams were picking up some depth points which had been eluding them, a very promising sign for what it may mean come conference.
Â
"Lindsey, Sophia and Mia, they all had some really standout races. Like seasonal bests, in season not rested," Woodard said. "I think some of those middle-of-the-pack kids are starting to come around and show we can be players and can be contributors."
Â
Meanwhile in Riverside, the divers were completing the Lancer Diving Invitational, with Riley Lee qualifying for the finals once again. The 1-meter springboard was the first day all four CSU divers competed, with Maggie Di Scipio also qualifying for the finals, but electing to sit out the next round as she deals with shoulder soreness. Lee placed 11th overall, posting a 240.95 in the prelims for her top score of the day. Di Scipio scored a 234.10. Noelle Tobin, a Pacific Palisades native, competed for the first time and scored well.
Â
"Once again Riley Lee was steady and consistent with her six dives. The wind was definitely a factor today and the temperatures were a bit chilly for diving outside," CSU diving coach Chris Bergere said. Riley's experience diving outdoors under less than favorable condition's with regard to temperature and wind helped as she really held it together and did some fine dives."
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Colorado State will remain in Southern California to train before returning home in time to prepare for a quad meet at Air Force on Jan. 17-18.
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Players Mentioned
FR, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
BK, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
BR, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
FR, FLY, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
DIVE
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
BR, FLY, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
BK, FR
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diver
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diver
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
FR
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
BK
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
FR, BR IM
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