Friday Results: CSEB 105, AK 100 - F
Saturday Results: CSEB 107, AK 98 - F

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Cal State East Bay won both dual meets at Alaska Fairbanks on Friday evening and Saturday morning by final scores of 105-100 and 107-98, respectively. The Pioneers needed wins in the final race (freestyle relay) of both meets to edge out the Nanooks at Patty Center Pool.

On Friday, Alaska led 96-92 heading into the final event, the 200-yard free relay. The quartet of Alyssa Littlefield, Kameron Isaacs, Alyssa Tenney, and Sierra MacIntyre touched first by only .21 seconds to clinch the race and meet win.

On Saturday, the teams headed into the 400-yard free relay tied 94-94. Littlefield, Tenney, Arolyn Basham, and Rachel Shimizu teamed up for the win, edging out the Nanooks 'A' relay by less than one second.

The Pioneers reeled off four straight event wins to close out Saturday's competition and complete the come-from-behind effort. Mariam Lowe won the 200 back (2:06.39), Hannah Cutts the 500 free (5:16.29), and Courtney Schweisow the 200 breast (2:29.32).

"Full credit goes to our 200 breaststrokers today. The sweep of Alaska gave us a chance to win the meet," complimented East Bay Head Coach Ben Loorz. "Our freestyle relays came up big on both days in holding off Alaska down the stretch."

Schiewsow led the 1-2-3 sweep in the distance breaststroke event followed closely behind by teammates Shaylyn Brownell (2:29.79) and Makila Schuck (2:32.50). Over the final four events, Cal State East Bay outscored Alaska 55-19 and scored 55 out of the maximum 63 points during that stretch.

"Today in particular, we showed great grit. They stayed focused on the details and scratched out a few crucial wins when faced with a seemingly insurmountable deficit," praised Loorz.

On Friday the Pioneers trailed by four heading into the final event, but a big swim from MacIntyre to anchor the 200 free relay sealed the victory. She added a lifetime best in the 100-yard freestyle (54.18) on Saturday finishing just behind Alaska freshman Katie Stark (54.05) for the win.

"We had lots of solid season-best times across the board which kept us close in both meets. It was extra impressive given the formidable travel it takes to get up to (Fairbanks, Alaska)," added Loorz.

Cutts went unbeaten (4-0) earning individual victories in the 500, 1,000, and 1,650 distances over the weekend. Lowe outclassed the field in both backstroke events with a sub-minute 100 back and taking the 200 back by more than two full seconds.

Cal State East Bay (4-1) returns to competitive action on Friday, Nov. 21, against Division I University of the Pacific.