Feb. 26, 2016
San Jose, Calif. --- San Jose State looks to extend the swimming season as the Spartans split the squad to compete at the Pac 12 Invitational, in Federal Way, Wash., and in time trials at Fresno State.
The Spartans begin their weekend on Saturday battling Mountain West rival Fresno State in a long course time trial meet in hopes of qualifying individuals for the USA Swimming 2016 Olympic Time Trials in June.
"This is our first long course meet," said San Jose State swimming and diving head coach Sage Hopkins. "As we approach Olympic trials, we have a group that is looking to qualify for the Olympic trials. This is a great opportunity with where we are in the season to put of some good long course times."
The long course time trail is held in a 50-meter Olympic size pool rather than the typical 25-yard pool the Spartans swim in for dual meets.
"We have a number of people that have a very good shot," Hopkins said. The meet begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Fresno State Aquatics Center.
Heading to the Pac 12 Invitational, on Sunday, to improve on their NCAA Championships B Standard provisional qualifying times is senior Riley Spitser and sophomores Brenna Bushey and Colleen Humel. Joining the three Spartan qualifiers is senior Brynne Beneke.
"We're bring our three swimmers with 'B' cuts to the Pac 12 Invite, which is the last chance to put up a faster time for NCAA qualification, and Brynne has some unfinished business in the 100 freestyle," Hopkins said.
Spitser posted provisional qualifying times in the 200-yard, 500-yard and 1650-yard freestyle at the Mountain West Championships on her way to set four school records she previously held. Humel holds a provisional time in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke events while Bushey has a 'B' cut in the 100-yard butterfly.
Beneke is less than a second off from her season best times in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyles from capturing NCAA provisional times.
While in Washington, the four Spartans will also get the opportunity to swim long course time trials in search of qualifying for the Olympic trials held in Omaha, Neb.