The Golden West College Mens' Swim team ventured down south to Saddleback College for the first of two Orange-Empire wide invitationals. The Rustlers, with 568 points, finished second behind Orange Coast College who amassed 682 points over the day's competition. RCC and Saddleback tied for 3rd with 400 points each. Cypress and Fullerton completed the list.

Tommy Kelly and Nolan Chomin, two returning State Meet championship finalists, led the way with solid mid-season swims. Kelly delved into the 500 free (4:55.80) and picked up second place but later came back to win the 200 free and 200 back with times of 1:48.48 and 2:03.07 respectively. His versatility gives him many options as the season progresses. Chomin won his specialty, the 1650 freestyle in a solid 17:05.03 time, swimming the race for the first time this season. He also was the runner-up in the 200 back( 2:06.04) and picked up third place in the 200 free (1:49.75).

Zach Bishop and Joao Goncalves finished 3-4 in the 200 back to give the Rustlers the top four spots in the event. Thomas Woodley and Vincent LaBonte went 3-4 in the 200 breast and La Bonte added a fourth place finish in the mile to complete a good day for the sophomore.

Only two relays were contested on the brilliant day on the Bobcat campus and GWC's A team placed third in both of them. The quartet of Goncalves, Kelly, Bishop and Sary broke the 1:30 barrier for the first time this year in the 200 free relay to kick off the meet and completed the racing agenda, swimming in the same order, in the 200 medley relay. The time of 1:40.62 puts the team solidly in the top ten statewide, the same being true for the sprint free relay as well.

Head Coach Tracy Maurer was upbeat after the completion of the day's racing. "We are getting a lot of valuable racing experience; many of the guys today were doing races for the first time in their lives. The results are positive. The OEC is a strong conference. It's ideal for fostering fast times."

Next week, Golden West heads out to Riverside CC for a two day invitational on Friday and Saturday