Tess Whineray

Position:
Backstroke
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Auckland, New Zealand
High School:
Western Springs College

CSU Individual Rankings
1 | 100 BK | 51.73 | 2026
1 | 200 BK | 1:52.82 | 2026

Career Mountain West Placings
2026
1. 200 Backstroke
2. 100 Backstroke
2025
3. 200 Backstroke
5. 100 Backstroke
2024
2. 200 backstroke
4. 100 backstroke

Collegiate Personal Bests
100 BK | 51.73 | Mountain West Championships – 2/20/26
200 BK | 1:52.82 | Mountain West Championships – 2/21/26
50 FR | 23.32 | Mountain West Championships - 2/18/26
100 FR | 51.52 | Hawkeye Invite -- 11/23/24

2025-26 (JUNIOR): In a season of highlights, she became the first NCAA qualifier at Colorado State in 13 seasons. … Placed 30^th at the NCAAs in the 200-yard backstroke, 45^th in the 100 back. … Won her first Mountain West title, broke two individual school records and set four relay school records. … Won the 200 back at conference with a 1:52.82, a school record as well as the championship record. … Was second in the 100 back in 51.73, the second fastest in conference history and a school record. … Was part of the 200 and 400 free and 200 and 400 medley relays which set school records this season. … Led the team with 21 races wins, pushing her to 51 in her career. … Scored in every meet.

2024-25 (SOPHOMORE): Backed up a stellar freshman campaign with a stalwart sophomore season. … Part of the school-record 400-yard medley relay team. … Earned All-Mountain West honors in both the 100 and 200 backstrokes, placing third and fifth, respectively, with NCAA B cuts in both. … Ranks in the top three at the school in both events. … Posted 20 individual race wins on the season. … Had five personal bests in the campaign. … Was also part of the 200 medley and 800 free relays at conference. … Named CSC Academic All-District.

2023-24 (FRESHMAN): Had a sensation inaugural year, twice being named the Mountain West Freshman of the Week (Oct. 17 and Oct. 31, 2023). … Earned All-Mountain West honors in both backstroke events, finishing as the runner-up in the 200-yard backstroke. … Had the team’s top time in both backstrokes, hitting NCAA ‘B’ cuts in both. … Her 1:55.27 in the 200 back ranks second in program history, while her 53.53 in the 100 back sits third. … Swam the backstroke leg of the school-record 400 medley relay (3:38.95). … Recorded 10 race victories during the campaign ... Earned Academic All-Mountain West and Scholar-Athlete honors ... Earned second-team Academic All-American honors from CSCAA.

High School: Possesses a resume of national competitions and was selected to represent her country at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Hawaii … Was named the Sportswoman of the Year at her school as a senior, as well as the most promising athlete … Has won state and national relay titles through the years, while also playing netball for two seasons ... National title for 100 back (17-18 age group) in 2023. Selected for the NZ team for the Tri Series meet against Australian and Pacific Island teams in 2023. Swam a FINA B time, winning the 200 back SCM at Auckland Champs in 2023. Holds personal short-course meter records of 59.26 in the 100 back, 2:10.60 in the 200 back and 28.93 in the 50 back.

Personal: Born Jan. 12, 2005 … Parents are Matt Whineray and Sandra Thomas … Has a brother, Stanley … Both of her parents represented New Zealand in the curling World Championships … Intends to major in biochemistry.