The Pioneers will compete in the NAIA Swimming Championships in San Antonio, Texas on February 27-March 1. Cal State East Bay lost a close dual meet to Colorado School of Mines 103-96 on January 18. Laura DeMeneces captured the 1650 yard free in 20:54.33 while Jeanette DeMeneces won the 100 yard breast in a time of 1:14.65. Melissa Grottkau took the 200 yard free in 2:11.91 while teammate Allison Edminster was second with a time of 2:12.01. Sami Hernandez was second in the 50 yard free (26.78) and 100 yard free (59.01). Colby Haarz finished second in the 100 breastroke in 1:23.22. The foursome of Hernandez, Grottkau, Edminster, and Mattie Pinon captured the 400 yard free relay in a time of 4:13.56.
In a dual meet defeat to San Diego St on December 1, Mattie Pinon finished third in the 50 free with a time of 28.55, while Jeanette Demeneces finished third in the 100 breast with a time of 1:15.51. Sami Hernandez came in fourth in the 100 free with a time of 59.23.The Pioneers defeated Mills College 110-76 in a dual meet on October 20. Allison Edminster recorded victories in the 200 free (2:10.89) and 500 free (5:53.84). Melissa Grottkau was victorious in the 200 I.M.(2:28.50) while Sami Hernandez won the 100 free in 59.12. The Pioneers captured both the 200 yard medley relay and the 200 free relay.
On Saturday November 3 the Pioneers lost to Pomona 51-150. On November 10 they lost to Fresno Pacific 79-110.
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY EAST BAY 2007-2008 SEASON PREVIEW
The CSUEB swimming team looks promising but will have a tough dual meet season ahead of them this season. The Pioneer women will face Division I San Diego State at home and a powerful San Jose State team. The Bay will rely on returning NAIA National qualifiers Allison Edminster (JR) and Melissa Grottkau (SO). Allison is expected to lead the distance freestyle events while Melissa is expected to shine in the breaststroke events.
Other returning swimmers expected to assist are Colby Haarz (SO) and Duoshellg Esparza (SO). "Colby and Duoshellg have been very impressive with their training during the early portion of the season" claims Coach Garcia. Garcia is also pleased with the addition of the sister team of Jeanette and Laura Demeneces. "Laura and Jeanette add such diversity to our squad with the ability and willingness to swim anything". Alex Olejnik is another surprise addition this season. Alex as well as the Demeneces sisters also participate for the Pioneer water polo team.
Two Junior College transfer students complete the upper classmen contingency. Mattie Pinon a backstroke specialist from Foothill College will be a valued member of the Medley Relays at the National Championships. Lisa Donahue transferred to East Bay from Chabot College. "Lisa has a great work ethic and comes from a solid background" says Garcia. "The swimmers from Chabot know all about hard work and the transition to CSUEB is generally easy for them".
Three freshman round out the team and are making quite an impression on the coaches. Sami Hernandez, from Redlands, has returned to the pool after a two year injury and has been explosive in the sprints. Joining her is a relatively new swimmer, Amy Pope, from Long Island, NY. "Amy is making some adjustments to the West Coast and is improving daily" exclaims Garcia. Local swimmer Vanessa Rivera is training extremely well and could very well help the team in San Antonio.
The Pioneer women will travel to Southern California in early November to face Biola University and Pomona College. Next on their schedule will be a new team from Fresno Pacific University. In January the team will compete against some tough Colorado schools: Colorado Mines, Colorado College and Denver Metro. Senior day will be February 2 in a home dual meet against Mills College before the team heads to Long Beach for the PCSC Championships. The NAIA National Meet will be held in San Antonio, TX February 27-29.
