The UCSD swimming and diving teams competed against their NCAA Division II rival Cal State Bakersfield at Hillman Aquatic Center in Bakersfield, Calif., on Nov. 15. The UCSD women won, 187-112, while the men lost, 189.5-102.5.
The women, who have been acquiring NCAA qualifications consistently since the start of the season, continued the trend by earning two automatic qualifications and 15 consideration qualifications against Bakersfield. They further demonstrated their strength by winning nine out of 16 events.
Freshman Susan Bell was the only UCSD swimmer to win two individual events. She placed first in the 200-yard backstroke (two minutes and 9.77 seconds) and the 200-yard individual medley (2:11.73), earning NCAA consideration qualifications in both events.
Other first-place swims that earned at least a consideration qualification were senior Denise Bogard’s 100-yard breaststroke (1:06.70), junior Frances Tran’s 200-yard butterfly (2:09.89), freshman Emily Harlan’s 100-yard freestyle (52.16), junior Rosanna Delurgio’s 200-yard breaststroke (2:21.88) and sophomore Sophie Levy’s 500-yard freestyle (5:07.47).
Senior Carolyn Kwok, the women’s co-captain, expressed happiness that the team overcame challenges such as freezing weather and recently lightened training in preparation for an upcoming meet.
“”Considering the weather conditions, everyone did a great job,”” Kwok said. “”Plus, we’re in the middle of our taper for the Speedo Cup next weekend. So everyone was feeling a little weird in the water.””
The UCSD men’s team faced an additional challenge: the Roadrunners swimmers have been NCAA Division II national champions several times in recent years. Although the UCSD men lost, they did not allow Cal State Bakersfield to dominate the meet. UCSD claimed three out of 16 first places.
Event winners for the men were freshman Aram Yoo in the 100-yard backstroke (53.00), junior Brett Going in the 100-yard breaststroke (58.73) and freshman Jacob Dong in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:10.21). Going’s swim was one of two NCAA consideration qualifications for the men; the other was freshman Mike Lahey’s second-place 200-yard backstroke (1:54.85).
Triton head coach Scott McGihon commented on Going’s swim, saying that his strong lead from the start of the race to its finish was impressive. McGihon also identified Brady Gosling’s 200-yard freestyle (1:46.92) as an outstanding swim because he approached it aggressively.
The UCSD divers also participated in the meet. Sophomore Jenny Margrave earned second place in 3-meter diving. Junior Ashley Vogel came in third on the 1-meter board and the 3-meter board. For the men, Dan Grodh placed second on both boards.
Overall, the swimmers and the divers had solid performances against the Roadrunners, despite the fact that their training and thoughts have been focused on the approaching Speedo Cup, which is the biggest and most important meet of the fall.
“”We’re hoping to get more people qualified for nationals at the Speedo Cup. Everyone’s very excited about this meet,”” Kwok said.
The UCSD teams will be in Long Beach, Calif., for the Speedo Cup on Nov. 20 to Nov. 22.
