SDSU SWIMMERS CONCLUDE 2022-23 SEASON WITH LONG COURSE MEET

Aztecs’ Wilma Johansson, Moa Bergdahl capture three event titles

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

April 20, 2023 (San Diego) - San Diego State swimmers closed out their highly successful 2022-23 campaign on Thursday afternoon with an informal long course meet against the University of San Diego at Aztec Aquaplex.

The Aztecs and Toreros squared off in 13 events over distances in meters. However, neither squad had its full complement of swimmers competing and no team scores were kept.

SDSU captured 10 of 13 head-to-head events, with Wilma Johansson and Moa Bergdahl claiming three titles apiece, while Riley Tapley was a double winner as well.

Johansson was triumphant in the 100 butterfly (1:06.84), 200 butterfly (2:24.69) and 200 individual medley (2:31.22), while Bergdahl emerged victorious in the 50 breaststroke (34.58), 100 breaststroke (1:15.24) and 200 backstroke (2:24.02).

In addition, Tapley topped the field in the 50 backstroke (31.46) and 200 freestyle (2:19.75) to go with a second-place standing in the 200 butterfly (2:32.18).

Elsewhere, Alex Roberts won the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:08.90, while Christiana Williams captured the 200 breaststroke after clocking in at 2:44.30.

Along with her aforementioned crowns, Tapley a trio of second-place finishes in the 100 backstroke (1:09.26), 200 butterfly (2:32.18) and 200 IM (2:33.37), while Johansson was slotted second in the 50 butterfly (29.72).

Williams also posted runner-up time of 1:20.32 in the 100 breaststroke, while Roberts was second as well in the 50 backstroke at 32.21.

Additionally, San Diego State had the two lone swimmers race in the 1500 freestyle where Paige Mitchell (18:42.74) bested teammate Emily Allen (18:52.88).

Thursday’s meet capped a historic 2022-23 campaign for the Aztecs, who captured their second straight Mountain West championship in February and seventh overall since 2011. SDSU earned 10 individual gold medals at the league meet and swept all five relay events, establishing a conference-record 1,638 team points in the process.

For their efforts, the Aztecs garnered 59 all-MW accolades, with Wilma Johansson earning MW Swimmer of the Meet honors, while Moa Bergdahl received Freshman of the Meet recognition.

Not to be outdone, San Diego State boasted three swimmers who participated at the NCAA Championships in March, featuring first-time competitors Alex Roberts (100, 200 backstroke), Christiana Williams (100, 200 breaststroke) and Kristina Murphy (200 IM, 200 breaststroke).

Roberts and Murphy were also extended national invitations to swim in the 100 butterfly and 400 IM, respectively, but did not compete in those events.

On April 13, San Diego State was bestowed two Mountain West postseason honors, with Roberts meriting MW Swimmer of the Year distinction, while Mike Shrader garnered MW Swim Coach of the Year accolades.

 

With her laurels, Roberts gave the Aztecs their fourth consecutive MW Swimmer of the Year honoree after Klara Thormalm received such distinction in three straight seasons from 2020-22.

In addition, Shrader, who finished his 16th campaign in charge of the Scarlet and Black, was recognized as the Mountain West's top swim coach for the second year in a row and ninth occasion since his arrival at San Diego State prior to the 2007-08 season.

SDSU logged its eighth undefeated dual-meet schedule in the last nine seasons, as the Scarlet and Black finished with a 14-0 record. After defeating USD in its final dual meet of the 2022-23 campaign on Jan. 27, the Aztecs extended their streak to 50 consecutive dual-meet victories dating back to Jan. 8, 2018, a span of over five years.

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