The Golden West College Mens' Swim Team nearly overcame impossible odds in their quest to bring an Orange-Empire Conference title from Orange Coast College. Based on the pre-meet seeds, OCC had almost a 200 point advantage over the Rustlers but over the course of three days, GWC consistently swam intelligent and gutsy efforts to close the gap. However, it was not until the finals of the third day that the ultimate outcome appeared to be in doubt.
The first event of Saturday's finals was the 1650 freestyle. Knowing the team needed a spark, sophomore Nolan Chomin, last year's winner in the event, dropped almost a minute from his seasonal best as he outdueled Brandon Samaniego, OCC's top distance ace. Chomin recorded a 15:49.57 to win the event in a new conference record time, besting the old record by twenty seconds. Additionally, sophomore Vincent Labonte also had a massive improvement to finish fourth (17:33.65) and teammate Bao Mai (Westminster High) finished fifth (17:45.56) coming out of the morning heat. Finally Winston Cade, in only his second time in the event flashed talent enough to garner eighth overall (18:29.99) The next event was the top point earner of the meet for the Rustlers. The 200 backstroke was bombarded by Rustlers as six swimmers scored in the top nine places. The group was led by sophomore Tommy Kelly (Edison) who obliterated the field in a stellar 1:51.48. Kelly qualified in lane two and just got out in front and never looked back in dropping ten seconds from his lifetime best. Joao Goncalves and Chomin both went way under two minutes to nab third and fourth respectively. Jacob Stoddard (Westminster) and Hunter Van Meter (Edison) pulled in sixth and eighth place points whereas sophomore Justin Hemara won the consolation heat. All in all, the Rustlers amassed 84 points in that one event and crept to within 45 points of the overall lead.
Following that backstroke event, the 100 free loomed next. OCC originally had six swimmers seeded in the top eight but managed just three in the championship heat as the Rustlers moved two in to nab big points. Kyle Sary (Marina) popped a 45.94 for fifth and teammate Zach Bishop came in right behind for sixth with a 46.72 effort. OCC added to its lead as a result.
Next came the 200 yard breaststroke with OCC and GWC both getting three swimmers in the top eight after prelim swims. OCC went 1-2-8 and GWC countered with a 3-4-6 finish featuring Thomas Woodley, third at 2:16.05 (four second improvement from prelims, Labonte fourth and Pablo Souza, the State Player of the Year in water polo, grabbing sixth.
The final individual event was the 200 yard butterfly. Even though OCC got first and third, the Rustlers countered with John Limon grabbing fourth (2:02:03), Neven Cerkez fifth (2:07.11), Antonio Doria sixth (2:07.14) and Winston earning eighth place points. Both Cerkez and Doria dropped four seconds each after dropping significant time in the prelims to earn a spot in the finals. The Rustlers made up ground but not enough.
With just one event to go, the 400 freestyle relay, even a disqualification by the host school would have not made a difference in the final placings. However, that did not dull the excitement as OCC, Riverside and GWC, in arguably the deepest conference in the State put on a race befitting the occasion. The Rustlers came in seeded second with a 3:12.39 and the foursome of Kelly, Sary, Goncalves and Bishop blew that time away with a magnificent 3:06.03 mark. They finished third to RCC and OCC but firmly put themselves in the mix for that event at State in two weeks.
The final team scores read Orange Coast 883, Golden West 813, RCC 567, Saddleback 361 and Cypress and Fullerton rounding out the group.
Head Coach Tracy Maurer was ecstatic with his team's performances. "To come in here and battle OCC, probably the second strongest team in the State, and the rest of the OEC for all three days in every single race, it just is very satisfying for everyone involved. This team has made so much progress over the season and to be able to take a strong contingent to State based on this meet's results is remarkable. Very pleased, but we are not done."
Maurer was named Mens' Co-Coach of the Year, a true reflection of the efforts his athletes have made over the course of the season.
State entries are due on Monday and the championship meet starts in less than two weeks and will also be held at Orange Coast College May 2-4.
