Colorado State University Athletics
Saturday, February 22
Houston, Texas
9:30 AM Prelims/5 PM Finals
Colorado State
vs
Mountain West Championships
Start and End With a Bang
2/22/2025 9:07:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving
A Thrilling Conclusion to the Mountain West Championship
Let the end be as exciting as the beginning.
The ceremonious finish to the Mountain West Swim and Dive Championship ended the same way it started—with a relay.
Now No. 1 in Colorado State's record book, the 400-yard medley relay, championed by four swimmers—Mia Axelman, Ashlyn Hembree, Erin Dawson, and Lexie Trietley—posted an electrifying time of 3:19.67, dropping 4.31 seconds from their preliminary time.
"First of all, Erin and Lexie are always gamers," coach Christopher Woodard said. "They want nothing more than to set records and put people on notice. But I think it was also the fact that they were joined by two newcomers. I wanted to give Mia and Ashlyn an opportunity to experience that. And that's the kind of selflessness that they exhibit."
A selflessness which has reared its head throughout the whole meet, building up, seeing the championship as a marathon rather than a sprint.
Someone who realized the importance of that sentiment was Tess Whineray. Finishing the season with a third-place finish in the 200 back, the outcome wasn't entirely the focus—rather, the here and now.
"I was really happy with how it all finished," Whineray said. "I did not expect to get third place. I just went in, held no expectations, and I was stoked."
Building slowly on their racing prowess, the Rams finished the meet in seventh with 697 points. Not the outcome they were wishing for, while still holding weight.
Because they know the work they put in, expounded upon with the positive phrases each athlete wrote. Something still taped to the wall in their locker room, which has built up their confidence brick by brick.
"Honestly, I think as a team, we always have stuff to improve upon," Trietley said. "I think with how this year went, we kind of knew how we were going to finish off, and I think we're all happy with it but not satisfied. We're always wanting to do better. So, we're just looking forward to next year and want to come back stronger and do even better."
One person who no longer has another year at CSU sees the meet in somewhat a different light.
Senior Maya White finished her time as a Ram with the 1650 free (16:31.87). The full mile of swimming is not for the faint of heart but remains a place where White is "the most comfortable," soaking up the sights and sounds of the meet for the last time.
"This is my last meet ever," White said. "I was trying so hard to take in every moment that I possibly could. In some ways, this meet has gone by so fast, but also super slow. I just want to savor every moment because this team has shaped me so much."
Another swimmer who spent their tenure with the Rams was graduate student Skyler Lyon. Finishing the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:14.83, she now holds fifth place in the event in CSU's record books.
Though her time at CSU was short, fifth-year transfers have been a part of the squad for a few years now.
"We've been blessed the last two years with fifth-year graduate transfers," Woodard said. "With Sydney VanOvermeiren and Skyler this year. They're two people that bring a no-nonsense, very calm, level-headed energy to the program. The only issue I have with Skyler is that I didn't have her for more years."
Even as the final race wrapped up and the echoes of cheers faded, the emotions of the meet lingered.
For some, it marked the end of an era. For others, it was just another step in their journey. But for all, it was a testament to the relentless drive and camaraderie which defined their season.
"It's definitely hard," White said. "As a freshman, I was stressed out because it was completely new. But I think the best way to approach it is that it's just swimming. We've been doing it since we were eight. It's something we're all super used to. Just because it's a new environment or a new pool, as long as we have each other, that's all it really takes."
With eyes set on the future, CSU swimming and diving now shifts focus to the next challenge: offseason training, recruiting, and the ever-present pursuit of improvement. But for now, they'll take a well-earned moment to appreciate what they accomplished—and the foundation they continue to build.
Because if this season proved anything, it's that success comes from beginning and ending with the same voracity.
The ceremonious finish to the Mountain West Swim and Dive Championship ended the same way it started—with a relay.
Now No. 1 in Colorado State's record book, the 400-yard medley relay, championed by four swimmers—Mia Axelman, Ashlyn Hembree, Erin Dawson, and Lexie Trietley—posted an electrifying time of 3:19.67, dropping 4.31 seconds from their preliminary time.
"First of all, Erin and Lexie are always gamers," coach Christopher Woodard said. "They want nothing more than to set records and put people on notice. But I think it was also the fact that they were joined by two newcomers. I wanted to give Mia and Ashlyn an opportunity to experience that. And that's the kind of selflessness that they exhibit."
A selflessness which has reared its head throughout the whole meet, building up, seeing the championship as a marathon rather than a sprint.
Someone who realized the importance of that sentiment was Tess Whineray. Finishing the season with a third-place finish in the 200 back, the outcome wasn't entirely the focus—rather, the here and now.
"I was really happy with how it all finished," Whineray said. "I did not expect to get third place. I just went in, held no expectations, and I was stoked."
Building slowly on their racing prowess, the Rams finished the meet in seventh with 697 points. Not the outcome they were wishing for, while still holding weight.
Because they know the work they put in, expounded upon with the positive phrases each athlete wrote. Something still taped to the wall in their locker room, which has built up their confidence brick by brick.
"Honestly, I think as a team, we always have stuff to improve upon," Trietley said. "I think with how this year went, we kind of knew how we were going to finish off, and I think we're all happy with it but not satisfied. We're always wanting to do better. So, we're just looking forward to next year and want to come back stronger and do even better."
One person who no longer has another year at CSU sees the meet in somewhat a different light.
Senior Maya White finished her time as a Ram with the 1650 free (16:31.87). The full mile of swimming is not for the faint of heart but remains a place where White is "the most comfortable," soaking up the sights and sounds of the meet for the last time.
"This is my last meet ever," White said. "I was trying so hard to take in every moment that I possibly could. In some ways, this meet has gone by so fast, but also super slow. I just want to savor every moment because this team has shaped me so much."
Another swimmer who spent their tenure with the Rams was graduate student Skyler Lyon. Finishing the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:14.83, she now holds fifth place in the event in CSU's record books.
Though her time at CSU was short, fifth-year transfers have been a part of the squad for a few years now.
"We've been blessed the last two years with fifth-year graduate transfers," Woodard said. "With Sydney VanOvermeiren and Skyler this year. They're two people that bring a no-nonsense, very calm, level-headed energy to the program. The only issue I have with Skyler is that I didn't have her for more years."
Even as the final race wrapped up and the echoes of cheers faded, the emotions of the meet lingered.
For some, it marked the end of an era. For others, it was just another step in their journey. But for all, it was a testament to the relentless drive and camaraderie which defined their season.
"It's definitely hard," White said. "As a freshman, I was stressed out because it was completely new. But I think the best way to approach it is that it's just swimming. We've been doing it since we were eight. It's something we're all super used to. Just because it's a new environment or a new pool, as long as we have each other, that's all it really takes."
With eyes set on the future, CSU swimming and diving now shifts focus to the next challenge: offseason training, recruiting, and the ever-present pursuit of improvement. But for now, they'll take a well-earned moment to appreciate what they accomplished—and the foundation they continue to build.
Because if this season proved anything, it's that success comes from beginning and ending with the same voracity.
Players Mentioned
FR, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
FR, FLY, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
FR, BR, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Br
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
FR
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
BR, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
BK
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
FR, BR IM
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