Colorado State Women Down TCU, 144-90

FORT COLLINS, Colorado, October 19. THE clock had its issues Thursday night, but the CSU swimming and diving team performed like clockwork, literally.

Inspired by a visiting Amy Van Dyken, the Rams dominated from the opening race and notched their second straight dual victory, topping TCU in the Mountain West Conference opener for both squads, 144-90.

"We have to keep this going," said Head Coach John Mattos, who pushed his career winning percentage to an even .700 (198-85). "It can't be, `Oh, we're good,' and take a night off. The work, and the work ethic has to continue."

Continue it did on Thursday, as the Rams took the first six events, and nine of the first 10 before declaring all their athletes' performances as exhibitions over the final three competitions.

The pool scoreboard experienced difficulties, delaying the meet's start by about 15 minutes. After Mattos opted to begin the meet without a scoreboard, technicians got it back on line late in the meet.

That was long after Kathleen McCleary swept two events, the 1,000 Free (10:31.90) and the 500 Free (5:11.10). McCleary led a strong group of underclassmen, who quickly are establishing themselves as the strength of the team.

"Tonight proved our team's depth," Mattos said. "Our freshmen swam extremely well."

Those freshmen were led by Michelle Price, who bettered her lifetime best in the 200 Back, originally set Friday vs. Boise State, by taking Thursday's event in 2:05.49. Elsewhere, freshman Mei Ratz (25.09), who hails from Lander, Wyo., edged teammate Emily Molzahn (25.20) in the 50 Free.

"I think Mei Ratz in the 50 Free really bursted out tonight," Mattos said. "She made her presence known, for sure."

And always her usual presence, senior Elyse Hall ran away with both the 1- and 3-meter diving competitions. Combined with her solid scores from the Boise State meet Friday, Hall already has locked up an invitation to the Zone E NCAA qualifying meet this March in Oklahoma City, Okla. The top eight from that competition then qualify for the national championships later that month in Columbus, Ohio.

One of Hall's teammates, Carmen Gisella Cianci, didn't even know if her body would qualify her Thursday night's meet. Feeling ill, she didn't even practice Wednesday and Mattos said she wasn't officially a go until late in the afternoon Thursday. The sophomore standout answered the illness by winning the 200 Free in 1:56.89

"These kids are relentless," Mattos said." They just won't let up. It's great to see them bond as a team.

"This bodes well for the future. It sends a great message to others out there. TCU is not a bad team at all. I thought tonight was going to be a tight, emotional night. I just think our kids were relentless and it showed. "

The Rams have another opportunity to show their stuff at the annual CSU Early Bird Invitational, which begins tomorrow at the Edora Pool and Ice Center (EPIC) in Fort Collins. In addition to CSU, 10 other schools will send either their men's, women's or both teams to the competition. Races begin at 5 p.m. Friday and continue all day Saturday.

"It's so early in the season," Mattos added. The main thing we're looking for right now is consistency. It's going to be a long weekend."

Special thanks to Colorado State for contributing this report.

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