Women's Swimming & Diving - 2009 Meet Highlights

State Championships

Lady Wolverines continue excellence with 2nd place finish

For the 5th year in a row, the Lady Wolverines took 2nd place at the State Swimming and Diving Championships April 23- 25 at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach. Receiving many praises and accolades, the Lady Wolverines once again displayed a total team effort to finish runner up to defending State Champion Santa Rosa JC (578-526).

Many individuals and relays contributed to the Wolverine’s cause including a State Championship in the Women’s 200 Freestyle by Sophomore All-American Alyssa Woodliff, and six 2nd place finishes including Freshmen Michelle Tringham in the 1650 Freestyle, Freshmen Diver Jodie Darnell on 1 meter board and 4 out of the 5 relay teams that participated at the State Championships. All 14 individuals that qualified for the State Championships scored at least five points each towards the team total, which kept the Lady Wolverines in 1st place each of the first two days of the competition.

With their performances each of the 14 Lady Wolverines that participated in the State Championship meet have the potential to become All-Americans, which would be the most athletes in the Sierra College Women’s Swimming and Diving history to be named All-Americans in one season.

Head Coach Scott Decker was named Co-State Women’s Coach of the Year along with Santa Rosa’s Jill McCormick.

The 14 members of the State team were:

• Natalie Berge
• Michelle Berrios
• Katie Black
• Jessica Bonner
• Danielle Comforti
• Jodie Darnell
• Morgan Dentinger
• Rachel Holm
• Amanda Holpuch
• Julie Maginnis
• Sascha Smith
• Michelle Tringham
• Erin Tyler
• Alyssa Woodliff

Big 8 Conference Championships

Lady Wolverines smash 8 school records on way to strong showing

In showing a strong team effort, all 26 Lady Wolverines, that competed, had at least one season best or lifetime best time in helping the team finish 2nd place at last weekend’s Big 8 Conference Swimming and Diving Championships.

Despite their strong team showing the Lady Wolverines finished 86 points behind Santa Rosa who claimed the Conference Championship. Leading the way for the Lady Wolverines was All-American Sophomore Alyssa Woodliff, who was part of 6 new school records. Woodliff individually set new records in the 50 Backstroke at 27.68, the 100 Backstroke at 57.25, and the 100 Butterfly at 57.98. Not quite done for the weekend Woodliff was also part of 3 new school relay records, the 200 Medley Relay at 1:48.02, the 400 Medley Relay at 3:56.16 and the 400 Free Relay at 3:31.61. Also helping establish the record in the 200 Medley Relay was Sophomore All-American Rachel Holm, and Freshmen Julie Maginnis and Amanda Holpuch.

In the 400 Medley Relay assisting Woodliff was Rachel Holm, and fellow Sophomore All-Americans Danielle Comforti and Katie Black. Woodliff’s last record in the 400 Free Relay was a team effort along with All-American Sophomores Natalie Berge and Katie Black and Freshmen Michelle Berrios. Also helping the cause was Sophomore All-American Katie Black capturing the Conference title in the 500 Free with a personal best of 5:09.94 and coming in second in both the 200 and 100 freestyles also with lifetime best times.

Not to be out done by her older classmates, Freshmen Julie Maginnis got her name in the record books in an individual event as well setting a new school record in the 50 Butterfly with a time of 26.37.

The continuing improvement and presence of the diving program showed as well as all three freshmen divers, Jodie Darnell, Morgan Dentinger and Sascha Smith placed top 5 on both the 1 and 3 meter boards. Jodie Darnell was Conference Champion on the 3 meter board with a score of 222.05. With their performance, all three divers qualified for next week’s State Swimming and Diving Championships on both boards.

All in all 14 athletes qualified for next week’s State Swimming and Diving Championships at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach.

American River Sprint Meet

Lady Wolverines flex muscles as they prepare for Big 8 Conference Championships

Gearing up for the Big 8 Conference Championships next week, the Lady Wolverines flexed their muscles, winning every event but one on their way to winning the team title at the American River College Sprint Pentathlon meet at ARC. 2 Wolverines captured individual championships during the meet. Sophomore All-Americans Alyssa Woodliff, who won 3 events, and Rachel Holm, who won the Breastroke event, to lead the way for the Lady Wolverines.

The Lady Wolverines next competition is the Big 8 Conference Championships next week at ARC.

Big 8 Quad Meet: Sierra 2nd

Women beat two school records

The Lady Wolverines competed in the Big 8 Quad meet last Saturday finishing in 2nd by 7 points. Although they finished 2nd they still managed to break two school records. Sophomore All- American Alyssa Woodliff broke the 50 Butterfly record set in 2003 with a 27.08. Followed by the 200 Medley Relay, comprised of All- American Sophomore Rachel Holm and Freshmen Jessica Bonner, Julie Maginnis and Amanda Holpuch, with a time of 1:51.82 which broke the record set in 2005.

Not only did the Lady Wolverines break school records but they also placed first in 4 other events. Leading the way for the ladies was an all Sophomore, All-American crew. Among these outstanding Sophomores were Rachel Holm, Natalie Berge, Alyssa Woodliff, Danielle Comforti and Katie Black.

The Wolverines are anticipating good things and are excited to swim again at the next meet on April 4th at the Sprint Pentathlon at American River.

Sierra 89, San Joaquin Delta 24

Lady Wolverines beat Delta in their own pool

The Lady Wolverines continue to soar in the pool even away from their home pool, scoring an overwhelming 89-24 points against San Joaquin Delta. Placing first in every event but two the Lady Wolverines showed that no matter who swims what event the Lady Wolverines are strong all the way through. The women’s team swam 21 season best times which contributed to such a difference in the score.

The Lady Wolverines look forward to their next competition in the Big 8 Quad meet on March 28 at American River.

Chaffey Invitational

Lady Wolverines win Chaffey Invitational for the second time in a row

Following in the footsteps of the previous Wolverines the 2009 Lady Wolverines commanded respect by winning the Chaffey Invitational with 1182 points. The outstanding point lead was due to the hard work of all the Lady Wolverines including the 5 relay wins and 7 individual victories that the Wolverines took. Leading the way for the Wolverines were All- American Sophomores Alyssa Woodliff and Rachel Holm both winning their specialty events and Freshmen Erin Tyler, Julie Maginnis, and Michelle Tringham each contributing with one victory a piece.

While the Lady Wolverines do have a break to refine their skills they are looking to come out fresh and fast on March 21 at San Joaquin Delta at their next dual meet.

Sierra, Sacramento City

Wolverines eat Panthers for dinner

The Lady Wolverines dominated at Sac City winning every event but one. Although it was a team victory the Wolverines clapped their paws to the sophomores and freshmen who took victories in the meet. Among the sophomores were All-Americans Katie Black, Natalie Berge, Alyssa Woodliff, Danielle Comforti assisted by fellow Sophomores Whitney Bell, Caitlyn Huber and Cortney Huber. Following in their footsteps were the Lady Wolverine cubs Freshmen Julie Maginnis, Erin Tyler, Jessica Bonner along with Freshmen Divers Jodie Darnell, Sascha Smith and Morgan Dentinger.

All the Lady Wolverines are ready to get their paws wet again on March 6 at the Chaffey College Invitational where they will battle Southern California teams for the second time this year hoping to better their times and defend their previous year win.

Mt. SAC Invitational

Lady Wolverines look solid after MT. SAC Invitational

After a double relay default the Lady Wolverines stepped it up to come only a mere 8 points shy of a victory at the MT. SAC Invitational. With 2 relays victories and 4 individual victories the Lady Wolverines look right on target to continue in the legacy of excellence preceding them. Helping pull the Wolverines to a 2nd place finish were Sophomore All- Americans Alyssa Woodliff, Natalie Berge, Danielle Comforti, Rachel Holm and Katie Black; with both Alyssa Woodliff and Rachel Holm also clasping individual victories. Freshmen Wolverine Julie Maginnis gave the team a boost by also taking first place in the 50 Freestyle.

The Lady Wolverines look forward to their next contest against Sac City on February 25.

Sierra 86, Modesto Jr. College 27

Lady Wolverines too much for Lady Pirates

Winning every event but 2, the Lady Wolverines were just too much for the Lady Pirates winning their dual meet by a score of 86 – 27 at Modesto JC. Leading the way for the Wolverines with 2 Individual victories each were Sophomore All-American Alyssa Woodliff, and Freshmen Julie Maginnis. Contributing to the Wolverine cause with 1 individual victory each were Sophomore All-Americans Rachel Holm, Natalie Berge, and Katie Black, and Freshmen Michelle Tringham and Sascha Smith.

The Lady Wolverines take to the road next for the Mt.Sac Invitational on Feb 20 – 21 to battle the best from Southern California, and where they are the 3 time defending Champions.

NorCal Relays

Wolverines Start off Season in a Good Way

Battling some of the best teams that Northern California has to offer, The Lady Wolverines started the season out on a good note winning 3 relays and finishing 2nd in all 8 of the other relays to capture 2nd Place overall at the Northern California Relays in Santa Rosa. Winning Relays included the 200 Medley Relay team of Kylee Munson, Cortney Huber, Julie Maginnis, and Natalie Berge, 150 Backstroke Relay team of Alyssa Woodliff, Kylee Munson, and Jessica Bonner, and the 3 Meter Diving Relay team of Sascha Smith and Jodie Darnell.

Team Scores:

1. Santa Rosa 150
2. Sierra 130
3. American River 68
4. Delta 40
5. Merced 40