Talent Pool
Swim-dive team ready to defend conference title
If that happens, SDSU’s swimming and diving head coach said, “typically you’re going to have some good things follow.”
Good doesn’t begin to describe last season. Try best-ever, as in a program-record 19 victories in as many dual meets.
“It was so exciting to see where the program has come from,” said Shrader, who in 2008 inherited an Aztec team that had placed second-to-last at the Mountain West Conference Championships the previous year.
By last season’s end, 11 SDSU swimmers and divers earned all-conference honors, with freshman Kelly Marquenie (MWC Swimmer of the Year) and junior Kristen Meier (MWC Diver of the Year) spearheading the individual achievements. The Aztecs also set school records in 16 events.
“Our enthusiasm level was very, very high,” said Shrader, who captured the MWC Coach of the Year award for the third consecutive season. “Everybody was on the same page, ready to get to work, supportive of each other.”
After winning the regular season league title, SDSU emerged victorious at the conference championships for the first time in school history, ending Brigham Young University’s four-year run as conference champions.
“I couldn’t believe it – it was so exciting!” junior swimmer Jessica Crider said.
“And then right away I realized, alright, the season is going to start again and we’re going to have to try even harder to try to defend that championship.”
The Aztecs’ defense begins Sept. 23, when they visit the University of San Diego. The team will also try to extend its streak of 36 straight dual meet victories against non-conference opponents, which dates back to 2006.
“It’s a little bit different role,” said Shrader of his team’s current position atop the league. He and Associate Head Coach Brendon Bray recently added the 17th-best recruiting class in the nation, according to CollegeSwimming.com.
