FRESNO, Calif.- The Fresno State swim and dive team gave a big send off to their senior squad with a win over San Jose State on Saturday afternoon at the Aquatics Center, 206-76.
Jenna Pulkkinen became a first time program record holder in an individual event with both the 100 and 200 breaststroke. The sophomore from Finland broke her teammate, Aliz Kalmar's record from last season (1:00.05) in the 100 breaststroke and her most recent record in the 200 breaststroke this season (2:10.75). Pulkkinen also most recently was a part of the 400 medley relay that broke an Aquatic Center record (Jan. 11).
How it happened
Fresno State honored ten seniors prior to the start of the meet. Each senior was recognized for their individual impact and role for the program.
Bulldogs once again started off with the 200 medley relay. Fresno State A and B relays took first and second respectively. It was just two 'Dogs in the 1,000 freestyle, Laura Kalmar and Madison Caserio. Kalmar finished with a time of 10:11.31 and Caserio with 10:24.40.
Ryley Clark is no stranger to event wins, this time the freshmen earned a win in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:50.45. Samantha Arredondo (1:51.00) and Riley Baldwin (1:51.54) touched for second and third in the event.
Jenna Pulkkinen swam an impressive 100 breaststroke for a new program record. Pulkkinen touched for a time of 59.84, out touching her closest opponent by two seconds.
Julia Matney was on the verge of another program record, this time in the 50 freestyle. The senior was shy of nine tenths of a second off of the 2012 team record (Dani Yoho, 22.32). Matney finished first with a time of 23.27.
Pulkkinen went two-for-two in the breaststroke events. The sophomore doubled down and swam for an Aquatic Center and program record in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:10.57. The Finnish swimmer broke the Aquatic Center record that was owned by Kalmar and broken earlier this season (Oct. 7).
Natalia Bedolla once again swept the diving events. The junior placed first in the 1-meter with a score of 289.43 and in the 3-meter with a score of 265.13.
Of the ten seniors four of them won an individual event against the Spartans with Matney leading the way on two wins.
Up Next: Fresno State swim and dive team concludes the regular season and begins to prepare for the Mountain West Championships on Feb. 19-22. Championships will be held at the CRWC Natatorium in Houston once again. The Mountain West will have full coverage of the meet live on the MWN for all preliminary and finals sessions.