By Andrew Hartley (@andrewhart1ey) – Spear Reporter
Freshman Hannah Ernst completes her breaststroke during the 200-yard individual medley Saturday at the Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center. Photo courtesy Andrew Hartley
Sporting all pink suits and caps for its first dual meet of the year, SJSU swim and dive (1-1) fell short of UC Santa Barbara (2-1) 157-93. SJSU and UCSB competed head-to-head for the first time in 40 years.
The bleachers were filled at the Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center, but mostly with Gaucho navy blue and gold. The most anticipated event of the meet was the 400-yard freestyle relay.
Separated by less than a sixth of a second, SJSU’s Mya Azzopardi, who sported hot pink nails with her matching uniform, trailed Samantha Banos to end the afternoon.
In the 200-yard breaststroke, the team held three of the top four spots. Vilma Lindberg and Ela Freiman took first and second, separated by less than a fourth of a second.
SJSU underclassmen held first and second in the 50-yard freestyle. Sophomore Lais Gasparini E Silva put up a time of 23.66 for first while freshman Dalton Sickon was just behind with a 23.83.
UCSB didn’t have any divers competing, so Jenna Jagielski, Makenna Sharpe and Emily San Jose were diving independently. Jagielski surpassed scores of 300 on both of her dives.
Though the weather was in the 50s in the morning, the sun emerged from the clouds and allowed for a beautiful scene for the event.
A week ago, the team competed in the MPSF Open Water Championships where they finished second overall in a field of 10 teams. The only team they fell short of was the Power Five University of Utah.
This was the first of two straight meets where SJSU will be hosting the event at the SRAC. The Spartans will be swimming while the sun sets on Nov. 4 when they take on UC Davis at 4 p.m.