Shuhei Matsuo
Assistant Sports Editor
“There is a pretty high standard within and outside [of the team],” Dunphy said. “But the standard is on the wall, and it’s a championship. It is an honor that [people] expect us to be good.”
The Pepperdine swimming and diving team began its spring dual meet schedule Saturday with another record.
But it was not about the time; it had to do with the pool temperature.
“It was really cold,” junior Jaime Lyon said with a laugh. “We were encouraging each other, since no one wanted to get in the pool. We were just really united together, I guess.”
In fact Saturday’s unseasonably wintry weather caused the water temperature to drop down to 74 degrees in the Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool.
Despite competing in undesirable conditions, the Waves survived the winter’s wrath and defeated Cal State Northridge 169-125.
“Some of the kids, considering the absolutely sensational conditions we had during the first part of the season, are doing really well,” Head Coach Nick Rodionoff said.
The relay teams had especially solid performances.
During the 200 medley relay, the team of senior Alison McLeod, Kimmel, freshman Amy Nightingale and sophomore Haley Wilson finished first with a time of 1:49.31, followed by another relay victory by juniors Loriann Mark and Katherine Skora, freshman Brianna Blanchard and McLeod with a 400-meter time of 3:41.52.
Although the Waves were unable to produce a school record with their impressive performances at this meet, three swimmers and a diver from Pepperdine collected top finishes in the competition.
Wilson led the Waves as she took three top finishes for 27 points in the 200 free (1:53.36), 100 free (53.78) and 200 IM (2:13.47). McLeod took two first place finishes including a 1:01.24 in the 100 back and a 58.76 in the 100 fly. Freshman Marissa McDaniel took first place in the 200 back with a 2:17.90. From diving events, senior Sarah Towers took the top spot with 220.5 points in the one-meter dive and 230.8 points in the three-meter dive.
As he said at the end of the fall season in November 2006, Rodionoff affirmed that this year’s crew is the best in Pepperdine’s history.
“They are going to have a very, very good year,” he said. “They could have a sensation.”
However, having talented swimmers does not guarantee a success. There are always challenges.
“It’s really tough with the Christmas break, the pool is so cold that they can barely swim, and we’ve got conference in three weeks.” Rodionoff said. “That’s a real challenge.”
Rodionoff added this season’s main goal is to do well at the PCSC Championships, which start on Feb. 7. His swimmers know what they need to do for it.
“Everyone needs to score at conference,” Lyon said. “Everyone needs to focus, stay committed and look at the goal.”The Waves are back in action Saturday when they travel to cross-town rival Loyola Marymount. The meet begins at noon.
01-18-2007
