Swimming, diving break records at home in Malibu Invitational

The season opening Malibu Invitational on Oct. 24 proved successful for the Pepperdine swimming and diving team. 

The meet was held at Ralphs Strauss Memorial Pool, and the Waves definitely didn’t disappoint. 

Junior Kayleen Hicks recorded school records in both breaststroke races and other Pepperdine swimmers proved themselves in numerous other events.

Hicks was the Wave’s high point champion during the morning sprints and posted a score of 41.  Her time of 1:04.47 in the 100 breaststroke and a 2:21.31 in the 200 breaststroke broke the records previously held by senior Dani Kimmel that were made in February of 2009. 

According to Hicks these new records weren’t something she was anticipating.

“I wasn’t really planning on breaking any records,” Hicks said.  “When I got out of the water I was pleasantly surprised at my scores.”

Breaking these records could be considered even more impressive, since the Waves haven’t had a race since last year.

“To be honest I felt really good in practice but hadn’t raced since last year so I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Hicks said.  “I was really surprised at how smooth I felt in the water.”

Hicks also clocked personal bests in the 50 (24.23) and 100 free (53.51) the 50 fly (26.87) and the 50 breast (29.84).

Even though this performance looked promising, Hicks says every race can be different.

“I would love to improve [in the next meets], but its always unexpected how you are going to perform,” Hicks said.

Sophomore Madison Krall was impressive in the distance races, setting personal bests in the 100 fly with a time of 59.94, and 200 free with a time of 1:56.66.  She also registered a season best in the 200 individual medley (2:11.39) and the 200 fly (2:11.50).

But the upperclassmen weren’t the only ones to record impressive times at the meet. 

Freshman Shannon Adkins, Sarah Burris, and Rachel Dekar also posted a few highlights of their own.  Adkins posted season best times in the 100 and 200 free and 200 backstroke with times of 54.57, 1:57:80 and 2:10.75 respectively. 

Dekar led the Waves to a sweep in the 50 breaststroke, swimming a personal best time of 29.82.  She recorded season best times in the 100 breaststroke and the 50 free with times of 1:05.83 and 25.64 respectively.

Sophomore Jo Perry thought that the team, especially the freshman, were very impressive this weekend.

“The team as a whole was impressive, especially for the beginning of the season,” Perry said. “The freshman were amazing.     

We had a really strong group come in and they definitely met and exceeded our expectations.”

The dive team also gave an impressive performance.

Junior Tiffany Martz led the dive team with a score of 228.85 points in a combined 1- and 3-meter six-dive springboard competition

Kristin Scribner with her score of 216.65, Leslie Wade with her score of 192.50, and Jenna Tenwolde with her score of 219.15 also finished in the top five.

The swim team’s next meet takes place Nov. 6 and 7, at the Bronco Shootout hosted by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.