Fresno Pacific vs. Fresno State

FRESNO, California, October 22. THE inaugural swim meet at the Fresno State Aquatics Center featured the annual match-up between the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds.

The 'Dogs swam fast setting 10 pool records and soared past the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds with a total score of 169 -118.

"I thought it was a great way to start out the year in our new pool," said head swimming coach Jeanne Fleck. "Hosting the first meet at the Aquatics Center was awesome and it was extra special with the in-town rivalry. Fresno Pacific were really great sports and they swam us tough. We really appreciate them coming out for this meet."

After a very close finish in the 200 Medley Relay where the Sunbirds took first, the 'Dogs took a 1-2 finish in the 1000 Yard Freestyle. Brittany Buna ended on top setting a pool record with a time of 10:46.23 followed by Alexis Melnikov with a 10:48.35.

In the 200 Yard Freestyle Brooke Fuller set a pool record with a 1:54.96 and Courtney Sheehan finished a very close second with a 1:55.11.

"The 200 Butterfly and 200 Breastroke were really great events for us going 1, 2 and 3," said Fleck. "I see a lot of promise with this team."

The Bulldogs swept the Sunbirds in the 200 Yard Butterfly with Raynne Nguyen taking first setting a pool record with a 2:09.25. Freshmen Lucy Titchin and Darah Hall finished second and third. The Bulldogs also swept the 200 Yard Breaststroke, where sophomore Michelle Dockendorf set a pool record with a 2:23.38. Sarah Pino finished second and Britney Vogel came in third.

In the 200 Yard Backstroke Brittany Buna took first and set a pool record with a 2:10.36 and Heidi Gjoen was right on her tail finishing second with a time of 2:10.63.

The 500 Yard Freestyle event was dominated by Courtney Sheehan setting a pool record time of 5:08.32 beating the second place finisher by more than 10 seconds.

Dokendorf earned her second first place finish of the meet in the 200 Yard IM swimming in with a time of 2:12.19. Freshman Taylor Scilufo came in at 2:14.38 good enough for a second place finish.

Fresno State finished the inaugural meet strong with a first place finish in the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay. Lucy Titchen, Heidi Gjoen, Courtney Sheehan and Dani Yoho swam for a pool record time of 3:35.72.

"We made some young mistakes and had a few disqualifications which we are disappointed in, but we will learn from them and move forward from here," said Fleck.

In the diving competition, Stacey Luke took first in both the 1-meter and 3-meter dive with a score of 267.05 and 272.10.

"Stacey was very consistent today and it was a very good start to our season." Diving Coach Taryn Patrick said. "She was performed a new dive on the 3-meter and it was looking pretty good. "

The swimmers and diver were very happy having their own home facility to compete in on campus. Senior Dede Torres, who has been on the team since it was reinstated in 2008, was very happy.

"No words can express how it feels having a place of our own," said Torres. "It's like coming home and I'm just so happy!"

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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