Teams: UC Davis vs. Pacific; at San Jose
Where: Schaal Aquatic Center, Aquatic Center – San Jose, Calif.
When: Saturday at 1 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m.
Who to Watch: Bridget Bugbee is coming off of success at the Texas Invite. Her 10th place finish at the invitational was just one reason the women’s swimming team placed ninth amongst national competitors.
The freshman from San Ramon, Calif. swam all four years during high school and was named California High School Female Athlete of the Year for 2009.
As an Aggie, Bridget Bugbee set a school record in the 500 freestyle.
“For Bridget to set a new school record in a normal suit was really good,” said women’s coach Barbara Jahn.
Did you know: When the Aggies and Tigers faced off in the pool last season, the men took care of business winning by a cumulative score of 145-108. The women’s score was a bit closer as UC Davis fell by a mere two points, 132-130.
Preview: This three-day weekend holds a lot of action for men and women’s swimming and diving teams.
On Saturday, UC Davis takes on Pacific at Schaal Pool. One day later, the Aggies travel to take on the Spartans at San Jose State’s Aquatic Center.
More than one month has elapsed since the men placed fourth and the women placed ninth at the Texas Invitational. Despite the hiatus, Jahn still believes that Aggies will have a good performance against the Tigers.
“I think they’re going to have a really good meet against [Pacific],” Jahn said.
While Jahn doesn’t see the break as a problem for the Aggies, men’s coach Pete Motekaitis says it may have an affect on his team this weekend.
“We’ve been training a long time without racing,” Motekaitis said. “We’re probably really rusty.”
If UC Davis is successful in its first competition in over a month, it will be due to the intense conditioning the team did over the winter break.
“We take a lot of pride being the hardest working team in the Big West Conference,” Motekaitis said.
Jahn felt the same way calling the team’s conditioning one of the best Christmas training sessions she’s been a part of.
On Sunday, the women will take on the Spartans, a team that usually performs very well in the Big West.
“The Spartan team is definitely the best team they’ve had in five years,” Jahn said.
– Matt Wang
