San Jose State Sweeps UC-Bakersfield, UC-Santa Cruz

San Jose State

San Jose State University student-athletes produced the top marks in 11 of 16 events to sweep a women’s swimming and diving double-dual meet against host Cal State Bakersfield and UC Santa Cruz at the Hillman Aquatics Center on Saturday, January 30.
 
The Spartans topped CSUB, 172-113, and UCSC, 191-115. Now with seven straight dual successes to start the 2010 calendar year, San Jose State has a season record of 11-3. Cal State Bakersfield, an NCAA Division I independent which narrowly edged the Banana Slugs in the day’s other match-up, 157-155, is now 2-7. UC Santa Cruz, a member of the NCAA Division III, drops to 1-5. The Spartans had previously topped the ‘Runners, 160-135, also on the road, back on January 2, and have now won seven dual meetings in a row against fifth-year head coach Sage Hopkins’ alma mater.
 
For a third consecutive outing, sophomore Heather Denman (Brookeville, Md./Sherwood HS) was a triple-winner in individual events, turning in the meet’s top times in the 100 backstroke (57.55), 200 butterfly (2:06.68) and 100 fly (56.66) races.
 
Remaining individual first-place efforts came from fellow sophomores Megan Mills in the 1000 free (10:43.32) and Kristin Yamaguchi in the 200 free (1:57.65), junior sprinter Meghan McCurley in the 50 free (23.95), freshman Marisa DeWames in the 100 free (52.08), junior tri-captain Kirsten Trammell in the 200 breaststroke (2:23.11) and freshman Julia Craddock in the 400 individual medley (4:31.67).
 
Yamaguchi also anchored a winning relay for the first time in her college career, with juniors Rudie Guerrero, Caitlin Macky and Trammell ahead of her, as the lone Spartan entrant was fastest in the meet-opening 400 medley relay.
 
DeWames, fellow freshmen Kiley Foster and Elana Faria, and junior anchor Julie Wynn, timed 1:38.55 to touch the wall first in the 200 free relay to put a cap on the afternoon.
 
The Spartans conclude both a three-week road stretch and their 2009-10 regular-season schedule in Fresno, Calif., next Saturday, February 6. The dual meet against the rival Bulldogs of Fresno State is slated for a 12:00 p.m. start at Clovis North Aquatics Complex.
 
San Jose State (10-3) 172, Cal State Bakersfield (1-7) 113
San Jose State (11-3) 191, UC Santa Cruz (1-4) 115
Cal State Bakersfield (2-7) 157, UC Santa Cruz (1-5) 155