PRIYA COOPER / SPORTS EDITOR

 USD  women’s  swim team opened up their fall season at home at USD’s Sports Center pool this Friday, Sept. 19. While the diving  season hasn’t officially started yet, the majority of the swim team competed against SDSU. The divers  have their first meet along with the swimmers in October at Pepperdine on Saturday, Oct. 4. 

   The pentathlon was versus Torero rivals, the SDSU Aztecs and is an athletic style competition with five distinct events. USD had 21 student-athletes compete in a series of races. The season opener had eleven events total and SDSU dominated with a 33-24 triumph over USD. 

   The pentathlon used head-to-head scoring, so points were awarded to only the top three finishers from each squad. The teams also swam additional races at USD on Friday. Some of the events were not scored in the final results, but gave both the Aztecs and Toreros benchmarks to continue their early season training as the competitions have only just begun. 

   USD  junior Skylar Bruner started the new season off to a strong start as she finished with a time of 5:23.15. She commented on her emotions following the first race of the season. 

   “I’m super excited for this year,” Bruner said. “The vibes are really high on the team, and I am pumped for another year with USD Swim and Dive. We’re in a new conference this  year , the Big West, so we’re planning to get our  footing and swimming fast.”

   Bruner’s energy was echoed by USD Head Swim and Dive Coach Mike Keeler, who reflected on the team’s performance in the pentathlon in a post-meet interview. 

“They did a great job and had a little baptism by fire for our new people,” Keeler said. “There were nine events in about an hour and 45 minutes. For most of them, they held up really well. Sometimes it’s a struggle. I thought they did a great, great job this year, every event getting out there and competing. At this time, they set themselves up in a nice spot to start the season.”

USD junior Analeis Vos prepares to take off at the first meet. Photo courtesy of@ usd.swim.dive/Instagram 

 Keeler also talked about looking ahead to the distance competition coming up next week, which differs from a typical competition as it focuses on longer races. 

  “[We are] just looking to continue our training process,” Keeler said. “It’s just like I said we are only on week three of our training. It’s a 22-week season till our championships. Next week we will swim some longer events, still not quite traditional events, but just to step forward as far as distance.” 

   Building on the team’s start, junior Elle Ramos emphasized how much it means to be back in the water competing for the Toreros. For her, the season isn’t just about records, but also about strengthening team bonds and making memories. 

   “I am most excited to make more amazing memories in the sport that I love, connect with the team, and compete this season,” Ramos said. “I cannot wait, we already started off strong with this pentathlon and  I’m already having the best experience here in San Diego.” 

    USD swim and dive also just entered the Big West conference and   will  be competing against new opponents during the upcoming season. USD sophomore  Bethany Garcia talked about embracing the excitement of a new Big West season.

    “We got off to a great start at yesterday’s meet and I’m super excited for what this season has in store for us,” Garcia said. “We just moved into a new conference, the Big West, so it’ll be a great opportunity to race some new teams.”

  USD first-year Emma Welch shared her excitement about joining the team and competing in a new conference, highlighting both the talent of her teammates and the promise of the season ahead.

  “Honestly, what I am most excited for this season is just seeing how we perform as a team entering into a new conference,” Welch said. We have an amazing team with such versatile swimmers and divers. Everyone is so talented and devoted to putting in 100% all of the time and already after the first meet I can tell that we are going to have a great season. With Coach Mike and Shawna’s support, the newcomers this year, and the already fabulously talented group of girls that we have, I know that we are definitely going to make a name for ourselves in the Big West. I am just so grateful to be apart of the team and excited to see what we can accomplish.”

   USD swim and dive is back in the pool this Friday, Sept. 26 back at USD against the Aztecs once again for a distance competition. The meet will start at 1 p.m. and the Toreros will look for redemption as the season progresses. 

 USD senior Sklyer Horder pictured competing on Sept. 19. Photo courtesy of @usd.swim.dive/Instagram

    For USD senior Ava Delaney, this season carries extra significance   as   she  looks  forward  to  making  the most of her final  year  while embracing the  challenges  of   the team’s  move to   the  Big West   Conference.

   “I am super excited for this season,” Delaney said.  “As it’s my senior year, I am just ready to start strong and enjoy the time I have left with this team.” 

USD women’s swim and dive has the excitement and determination from both veteran swimmers and newcomers that will set the tone for a promising season.

USD women’s swim team takes on SDSU at the Sports Complex. Photo courtesy of@ @usd.swim.dive Instagram