Colorado State University Athletics
Ram Swimmers and Divers wrap up 2007-08 Season
4/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
April 8, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Ram swimmers and divers wrap up 2007-08 season
The CSU swimming and diving season came to a close on March 1 at the end of the MWC championships. The team finished its dual meet season with a record of 6-4. After placing fifth at conference championships, the Rams will take the lessons learned from this season into 2008-09.
"We had a consistent performance all season," said Head Coach John Mattos.
The Rams started the season strong with a victory streak in dual meets that lasted from Oct. 12, to Jan. 17. After topping TCU, Boise State, UNM, SDSU, and AFA, the Rams were a strong and youth-filled team.
"The freshman and sophomore classes were the go-to groups," said Mattos. "There was a constant barrage of improvement on their part."
As the underclassmen continued to floor competition, by wrecking pool records and beating personal-best times throughout the season, the legacies and experience from the juniors and seniors pushed fellow athletes to maximum potential.
In the first dual meets, the new arrivals to the team, including Maddie Gamble, Michelle Price and Cori Swango, began to step out from the freshman recruitment class and shine.
"The new group has grown from that and has a fire inside," said Mattos. "I sense our kids coming in next year will catch that fire."
Though the seven-month season has ended, there is still work to be done to ensure a progressive season in 2008-09.
"Everyone not graduating will be back next year," said Mattos. "We'll be a little older with more experience under our belts and we hope that will equate to a successful championship."
The 2007-08 season roster held a total of seven seniors. Karin Knudson, Elyse Hall, Sam Johnson, Kristie Bowdler, Sara Servold and team co-captains Tara Staley and Celes Parks will leave their legacies behind.
"The seniors are awesome young ladies," said Mattos. "They will be missed, but I anticipate the team won't skip a beat."
When it comes to competing, the team is ready for any competition that may come its way.
"I am looking forward to any match-up within the conference," said Mattos. "Anyone new outside the conference as well."
The team competed against a fresh competitor in the 2007-08 season. The Boise State dual meet marked the first time the teams swam in common water to date. Finalizations to the team schedule will be finished soon .
"I will switch up the schedule," said Mattos. "It will be done by May 1."
Recruiting, however, is an ongoing process. Mattos and diving coach Kevin Witt are working diligently to create a recruiting group that will last throughout the 2008-09 season.
"That's the key," said Mattos. "We thought we had a real successful recruiting group this past year, but the lack of commitment with some cost us."
New faces will fill Moby Pool throughout the summer for a chance to swim with the Rams.
"There are a number of kids we have high hopes for," said Mattos.
The team has a history of finding talented, local swimmers and divers that bring a Colorado following to the team.
"There is a young lady that everyone is excited for," said Mattos. "Breann Fuller, who is a senior now at Brighton High School. She swims the 200 Backstroke and is electric, very untapped; she's the total package."
As far as divers go, three seniors must be replaced.
"Kevin is working hard to replace a set of divers who were outstanding," said Mattos. "Shayna Solomon is a new diver who has a talent similar to Karin Knudson."
The 2008-09 season is set to begin in mid-October.