Rams Gear Up for Return to Phill Hansel Invitational

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Nov 19

All Day

Women's Swimming & Diving

at Phill Hansel Invitational

Nov 20

All Day

Women's Swimming & Diving

at Phill Hansel Invitational

Nov 21

All Day

Women's Swimming & Diving

at Phill Hansel Invitational

Jan 5

TBA

Women's Swimming & Diving

at Northern Arizona

Jan 10

TBA

Women's Swimming & Diving

at Air Force

HOUSTON – A mix of familiar structure and new competitive tests await.

Colorado State's women's swimming and diving team will head to Houston, Texas, for a three-day competition set to begin on Wednesday. With prelims in the morning and finals each evening, this event marks a key check point in the season.

The Rams will return to the Phill Hansel Invitational for the first time since 2021, marking a meaningful shift in the midseason schedule. The team has competed in the Iowa Invitational for the past three seasons, making this year a fresh opportunity for new competition and early exposure to the venue which will host the Mountain West Championships in February.

"This being our last Mountain West go around and knowing that we're going to be in Houston for the conference finals, this was really an opportunity," coach Christopher Woodard said. "Especially for our 12 newcomers, it gives them a chance to get eyes on the pool and understand the setup and vibe."

For the first time in several years, the Rams are taking their entire roster, including every swimmer and diver including all 12 freshmen. This is a significant shift from the past where only a part of the team made the trip. Woodard emphasized bringing everyone is a key part of their midseason preparation, giving everyone a chance to race out of altitude and in a championship style environment.

"It's different from our last trip because we didn't get to bring everyone. This time, we are taking all our divers and all our swimmers, giving us a chance to see everyone out of altitude, rested, and suited up," Woodard said. "Really, it's the same events and the same lineup for the most part, but it's a chance to test our preparation for conference."

The Rams will be racing in their tech suits, giving them both a physical and mental edge in the water. The suits enhance performance and allow swimmers to maintain more efficient stroke mechanics and conserve energy over the course of their races. The confidence boosts these suits give show in the lanes giving strong results and a checkpoint for where the team stands heading into the second half of the season.

"Technically, what the suits do is body shaping and vibration dampening. It allows them to get a better profile in the water. Their legs ride a little bit higher and more rested towards the end of their races," Woodard said. "But suits are suits. It's more of a confidence thing. When they get into suits, they know it's go time. They recognize that there's no excuses."

Energy and enthusiasm are rising as the Rams approach this meet, both in and out of the pool. When the swimmers bring extra questions, spirited discussions, and even moments of frustration, it signals they are rested, engaged, and ready to compete. This heighted focus and vitality allow the athletes to fully commit to their preparation, pushing themselves in practice and refining the details which make a difference on race day.

Rams in the Mountain West Top 10

3. Tess Whineray 100 back, 52.97
3. Whineray 200 back, 1:57.32
7. Erin Dawson 400 IM, 4:22.49
8. Dawson 500 free, 4:53.79
9. Lexie Trietley 50 free, 22.99
9. Trietley 100 free, 50.17
10. Margo Hauser 1000 free, 10:09.81
10. Quinn Whorley 1650 free, 17:38.08

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