Fresno State swim and dive team hosted its first swim meet of the season with the Chick-fil-A Invitational this past weekend at the Fresno State Aquatics Center.
The Bulldogs finished in fifth place as a team with 396.33 points. UCLA took the first place title with 962.83 points, while San Diego State University trailed second with 794.33.
Many individual athletes were highlighted on the second day of the meet. Senior captain Athena Clayson placed second in the 200 meter backstroke with a time of 1:59 minutes, and sophomore Wiktoria Dabrowska placed fifth in the 100 meter freestyle with a time of 51.37 seconds. Senior diver Silvia Alessio also showcased her talent at the start of the season by taking third in the one-meter dive.
The 400 free relay team of Eleonora Trentin, Clayson, Dabrowska and Julia Matney finished fourth with a time of 3:27 minutes to finish off the meet.
With a team full of underclassmen, there is room to continue to grow this season, Clayson said. The young team is filled heavily with sophomores, relying on veterans like Clayson for leadership and encouragement this season.
“I think it balances out that we have very good, strong leadership as well to lead that. So it’s good that we have a new team and new people,” Clayson said.
The team competed against big teams at the invitational, including Pac-12 teams like UCLA and Cal Berkley, but was able to put up a fight against them, according to Clayson.
The team was able to see what events it will compete well in for the remainder of the season. For returners like Clayson, a three-time Mountain West (MW) champion, she said this is a fresh start for Fresno State as she competes in her final season.
“I think just personally, I’m trying to see the season out as best I can my final year here at Fresno State,” Clayson said. “All I want to do is just try my hardest in every event, don’t leave any stone unturned in practice and in any competitions, try different things and push myself the most.”
As a captain this season, Clayson and her fellow co-captain, Mackenzie Hutler, plan to set expectations for the team early on this season.. Clayons noted that the environment this year and the attitudes from her teammates make for a good team dynamic.
This season, the team is aiming for a medal at the MW conference and at least one athlete in every final event.
“I think we will look really good. The energy is really good. The vibe is super high. I think that’s all we can ask for the first session,” Clayson said. “We’ve had really good practices. I’ve noticed we’re a lot more verbal.”
I think they will be the goals moving forwards and look into conference and short term as well as long term with the jewel meets included that as well.The Bulldogs will be back at the Fresno State Aquatics Center on Oct. 21 for their next meet against Fresno Pacific and University of the Pacific at 4 p.m.
