JENNA SHAY
Staff Writer
The Pepperdine women’s swimming and diving team dominated its meet Saturday in the Malibu Invitational at the Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. The Waves featured the top competitors in the team’s fall debut.
Leading the Waves in the distance meet was sophomore Katharine Skora, who placed first overall in the 500 free with a time of 5:19.95, fourth overall in the 200 free at 2:00.63 and fifth overall in the 200 IM at 2:19.02. Senior Chelsea Zink came up strong placing second overall in the 200 backstroke at 2:14.49 while senior Lauren Velarde swam to a first place finish in the 200 breaststroke at 2:26.88.
In the sprint meet, junior Alison McLeod took the high point for Pepperdine. Her time of 25.68 seconds in the 50-fly and her 100-fly time of 57.72 seconds captured first overall. McLeod also swam to second place finish in the 100 backstroke at 59.76 seconds.
For the Waves’ dive team, junior Lindsay Stephens led the way with the overall high point mark for both the one- and three-meter dives. She is satisfied with last Saturday’s result and has high expectations for herself and the team.
“I dove very strong,” Stephens said. “And hopefully this is an indication of what the rest of the season will be like. The team is strong and we are good friends both on and off the deck.”
After a successful start, Coach Nick Rodionoff is hopeful and confident in the coming season.
“This meet was a major stepping stone. We told the girls that if we start where we left off last year, we’ll have a great year,” Rodionoff said. “This group came in motivated for whatever reason and really ready to go.”
The Waves finished fourth in their 15-team conference last season and enter their season with hopes to accomplish more.
“We want to break some school records, qualify a relay team and put a diver or two in the National Championships,” Rodionoff said.
The strong senior leaders set a standard of commitment for the eight new freshmen on theroster.
“There is not a weak senior on our team,” Rodionoff said, “and the freshmen are all excellent, dynamic kids.”
Haley Wilson, a standout freshman, is excited about the team and the dedication she sees from the returners.
“I love the team,” Wilson said. “They are great leaders and really committed to practice.”
The Waves look to get even stronger as they travel to Irvine on Nov. 4-5 to swim in the Big West Shootout.
“We haven’t won conference in a while,” Wilson said, “but with this team, we can definitely do it.”
11-03-2005
