Jan. 28, 2012

Complete Results

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The LMU swimming team defeated Cal State Bakersfield and Cal Baptist in a double dual meet held in Bakersfield, Calif. The Lions defeated CSUB, 156-124, and bested Cal Baptist, 161-129. LMU relied on its depth on Saturday en route to victories over Cal State Bakersfield and Cal Baptist in Bakersfield, Calif. The Lions won just four events over the course of the day, but through a solid team effort that included a 1-2 finish over both CSUB and Cal Baptist in the final 200 freestyle relay, managed to best both opponents.

Kjirsten Magnuson, Tammy Choy and Yvonne Le all claimed individual victories while LMU's 200 freestyle relay also took top honors. Magnuson won the 50 freestyle in 24.11, Choy won the 200 backtroke in 2:05.54, and Le took the 100 butterfly in 59.17. Finally, the team of Magnuson, Camille Hopp, Noelani Vargas and Jill Dahle combined to win the 200 freestyle relay in 1:38.50.

LMU v. CSUB:
The start of the meet did not go well for the Lions as CSUB squeezed out a victory over LMU in the 400 medley relay and then went on to win the first two events - the 1000 and 200 freestyle races. After the slow start, the Lions fought back with a 1-2-4 finish against the Roadrunners in the 100 backstroke when Sophie Allen (59.52), Vargas (1:00.07) and Le (1:02.26) managed to finish in those spots. LMU also posted a 1-2 finish in the 200 butterfly as Angelina Prat and Elizabeth Murray finished in front of Bakersfield's Marisa Yasuda. Magnuson led LMU's charge in the 50 freestyle, winning the race in 24.11 before being followed by Hopp (24.44) and Allen (25.36) in second and fifth overall. With the strong swims, the Lions held a narrow 78-73 lead over the Roadrunners at the halfway mark.

The Lions demonstrated their depth in the second half of the competition, limiting the Roadrunners to two wins in the 200 breaststroke and 500 freestyle events. The Lions on the other hand took four individual races, including the 100 freestyle (Magnuson), 200 backstroke (Choy), 100 butterfly (Le), and a sweep of the top-three spots in the 200 individual medley (Choy, Katie Rick, Mary Kate Short). The Lions' 1-2 finish in the 200 freestyle relay proved to be icing on the cake with as the Lions won the dual meet comfortably by a score of 156-124.

LMU v. CAL BAPTIST:
Cal Baptist came out strong in the first half against LMU, winning the 1000 freestyle, 100 backstroke and sweeping 1-2-3 in the 200 butterfly. The Lions, namely Dahle, Christina Cannata and Diana Safa, kept it close with a 1-2-4 finish in the 200 freestyle before Rick and Stephanie Hess went first and third in the 100 breaststroke. Carrying some momentum, LMU then surged to a 79-68 lead at the halfway mark with a 1-2-4 finish against the Lancers in the 50 freestyle with Magnuson touching the wall first followed by Hopp and Allen.

The Lions dominated the second half of competition, limiting Cal Baptist to two wins by junior standout Mary Hanson in the 100 freestyle and 200 IM. The Lions had wins over the Lancers in the 200 backstroke (Choy), 200 breaststroke (Hess), 100 butterfly (Le) and 500 freestyle (Dahle), before grabbing a 1-2 finish in 200 freestyle relay to finish with a 161-129 victory.

The Lions will return to action on February 4 when they travel to Las Vegas to swim against UNLV at 12 p.m.