Thursday Finals Session Results

LA MIRADA, Calif. – Hannah Cutts and Rachel Shimizu provided the highlight swims for Cal State East Bay on Thursday at Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference (PCSC) Championships. The pair finished fourth and fifth respectively in the championship final of the 500-yard freestyle and both clocked times under the previous program record time.

"We had some amazing swims tonight. Hannah's school record is well-deserved and Rachel had a huge lifetime best," said East Bay Head Coach Ben Loorz.

Third time was the charm for Cutts as cracked the top eight in the 500 free for the first time in three PCSC Championship meets. She made the most of the opportunity by becoming the first Pioneer to finish the even in under 5 minutes, 3 seconds, touching the wall in 5:02.82.

Shimizu was the fastest competitor of the field over the final 100 yards, completing the final four lengths in less than 59 seconds. She paced herself well and was the only competitor to negative split the race from the halfway point. Shimizu overtook three swimmers during the final 150 yards, and finished in a time of 5:03.19.

"Rachel came home like a freight train to go a huge best time and also earn All-Conference honors.  Both women displayed tremendous guts today, and that can make all the difference in a meet like this," complimented Loorz.

Senior Alyssa Tenney was among an evenly matched field of competitors in the 'A' final of the 200-yard individual medley. The entire field touched within 3.7 seconds of one another with the final 50 yards of freestyle remaining.

Tenney would finish seventh best in 2:06.61, just shy of her personal best time. It was the eighth individual PCSC Championship final in her career in which she has competed.

Alyssa Littlefield received the news that she and two other swimmers would have the opportunity to swim in the championship final of the 50-yard freestyle. Originally a field of eight comprised of six UC San Diego swimmers was taken down to three, likely for strategic reasons later on in the competition.

"Alyssa's transformation across the last three seasons in becoming an All-Conference performer is what this team is all about. She earned her first-ever berth in an 'A' final today, and was notable for her precision and preparation. It was fantastic to witness her journey reach new heights," Loorz praised.

Littlefield placed seventh in a time of 24.31 seconds. In the 50 free she has improved from 28th place as a freshman, to 11th last season, and now seventh in three seasons with Cal State East Bay.

Unfortunately the night ended on a sour note for the Pioneers as the 200-yard freestyle relay team of Tenney, Noelle Farrar, Arolyn Basham, and Littlefield was disqualified. The Pioneers took a hit in the team standings with relays counting for double the points compared to individual events.

"Unfortunately, the DQ in the relay hurts us a lot…But the truth is that things like that happen. We are pushing the envelope with every race and wouldn't be doing our job if we weren't," said Loorz putting things in perspective regarding the early relay exchange.

Other notable finishes for the Pioneers include a 15th place finish in the 500 free (5:14.21) from Jacqueline Whitehead. Shaylyn Brownell grabbed 16th in the 200 IM (2:11.28), and Noelle Farrar placed 13th in the 50 free (24.62).

"Jacqueline and Arolyn Basham really stepped up today, with lifetime best performances in the 500 free and 200 IM respectively, each notching their first Conference points for East Bay," Loorz said.

Cal State East Bay remains in fifth place after day two of competition with 299 points. UC San Diego (553), Loyola Marymount (430), Fresno Pacific (355.5), Azusa Pacific (353.5) and East Bay round out the top five teams.

"We have some ground to make up to get back in the race for third. However tomorrow is a good day for our swimmers and I feel confident that just like our 500 free swimmers today, the team has the capacity to swim above and beyond tomorrow to get us back in the hunt for a podium finish," Loorz added.

Tomorrow's swimming program will feature the 400-yard individual medley, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke, 100-yard backstroke, and 400-yard medley relay.