SAN DIEGO, Calif. - A rare women's-only meet saw the Eagles swim and dive team travel south to take on the DI Toreros of the University of San Diego on Saturday.  The conditions were cool but the Eagle found ways to heat up the pool with some solid times across the two-hour meet.
 
Junior Faith Silzel, having a wonderful month of racing, continued her hot streak.  She was out touched for second in the 200 free, posting a season best (and PCSC No. 3 ranked) 1:59.69.  She returned later to win the 500 free in a season-best 5:18.94, where it was obvious that she had more in the tank at the end.  
 
"Faith is relaxed, training very well and is very focused right now," said CUI head coach Bert Bergen.  "She battled last year to balance a tough academic schedule with training and did an admirable job.  She's swimming with Kyle Benjamin this season and that is pushing her to break new barriers.  She's a joy to have in the water and we count on her a lot."

Benjamin, one of the leaders of the CUI men's swimming and diving team, was recently named PCSC Men's Swimmer of the Week.
 
Freshman Jade Hughes in the midst of some heavy training, swam a very impressive 2:34.43 in her 200 breaststroke which places her fourth in the PCSC in that event and fellow frosh, Georgia Caraway's 2:14.28 200 backstroke earns her a No. 3 ranking in the conference.  
 
Junior Katelyn Thomas chased PCSC No. 1 Breckynn Willis in the 100 butterfly with both women stopping the clock at nearly identical 1:00.87 and 1:00.76 times.  2020 CSCAA All-American Thomas' swim places her sixth in conference, her fifth event in the top-6.  Willis swam her first 200 butterfly in nearly four years and earned a fourth place finish in the event.  
 
Junior diver Kayla Newman threw down a pair of 171+ point efforts in the two 1m diving competitions, nearly topping her career-high of 178.25.
 
Swimming her third 500 free in many weeks, sophomore Lauren Olson, recorded her third straight best time.  Senior Mikayla Jean, a converted 200 flyer, swam a PR in her 100 free (56.92), and freshman Ashlyn Reidhead went a season best in the same event.  Freshman Bella Garritano and senior Alicia Wintermeyer closed the individual events with strong efforts in the 200 breaststroke.
 
Finally, the women's 400 free relay (Willis, Silzel, Hailey Garcia, Thomas) raced to a 3:46.39, good for a No. 3 ranking in the PCSC. Silzel's 55.8 split was the fastest from all four of the Eagles' relays competing.
 
The women are rejoined by the Eagle men for a dual meet against Fresno Pacific at Portola HS on Saturday, Feb. 20.  Then on Saturday, Feb. 27, both squads are back at it down the street at University HS when the Eagles take on California Lutheran University.  Both meets are at noon.  

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