Day 1 Results

LA MIRADA, Calif. – Two school records were shattered by the Pioneer 200 Medley Relay and 800 Freestyle Relay teams on the first day of the Pacific Collegiate Swimming Conference Championships on February 8.

The 12-team conference championships are being held at the La Mirada Regional Aquatic Center.
Cal State East Bay had already broken a school record in the 200-yd. Medley Relay earlier in the season.  The same foursome of Bethany Hoopman, Rachel Knowles, Alyssa Tenney, and Jenel Lopez combined again to strike another second-and-a-half off their performance from December.  The final time was 1:48.30, earning a 5th place finish. The 5th place showing was a full four places higher than last year's performance.

The 800 yard Freestyle Relay proved a true test of the Pioneers' middle-distance grit.  Tenney and Lopez were joined by senior captain Sara Bonino and Jenni Perez.  The foursome shaved 13 seconds off the existing school record.  The final time of 7:44.20 is currently ranked 20th in the country and is East Bay swimming's first-ever NCAA “B” cut in a relay event.  The time was good for fourth place, just out of the medals, but still East Bay's highest relay finish ever at the conference level.

“Our swimmers sent a strong message that we are here to swim fast in the conference championships,” Pioneer coach Ben Loorz said. “With two relays in contention on this first evening of competition, the emotional tenor of the meet was open for determination.  The relay swimmers responded by lighting the fire.”

Individual events begin tomorrow morning, with the 500-yd. Freestyle, the 200-yd. I.M., and the 50-yd. Freestyle.