Golden West College Mens' Swim Team started the California Community College State Championship Meet with a collection of noteworthy swims to put itself in contention for a top five finish after the first day of the three day competition. Coming back to Orange Coast College after swimming so brilliantly there two weeks earlier in the Orange-Empire Conference championships, the familiar setting and known opponents served to bring out the best in the team.

The evening finals started off with the 200 yard freestyle relay. The Rustlers were seeded third overall with a 1:23.33 and did drop to a 1:23.02 final time to garner fourth in the event. Zach Bishop led off (21.61), followed by Tommy Kelly (20.29), Thomas Woodley (20.80) and anchor swimmer Kyle Sary (20.32).

Nolan Chomin swam the 500 freestyle next. After dropping time in the prelims to get the third seed, the sophomore from Northwood High put together a perfect race, even splitting the two halves of the distance. Ryan Ridosko, Las Positos, was the leader at the 200, but Chomin moved into the lead at the 300 mark and led until the 450. In spite of a blazing 53.3 final 100, Ryan Quintana came back even faster (50.81) to take the gold. Chomin was pleased with his overall time (4:31.90) to grab the silver.

Tommy Kelly, the sophomore from Edison, swam great in the prelims in the 200 Individual Medley to nab a spot in the championship finals after having the seventh fastest time in the morning (1:53.95). He came back in the finals with a 1:54.37 to pick up eleven valuable team points. Kelly will swim the 400 IM on Friday.

Kyle Sary, also a sophomore, a graduate of Marina, came in with the sixth seed in the 50 freestyle. He finished second in his morning heat but wound up third overall from the prelims going 20.89. In the finals, he flew to a 20.81 which had him finishing in a tie for fifth and only .04 from third.

The last event of the day was the 400 yard medley relay. Jacob Stoddard, Kelly, Bishop and Sary managed 3:38.30 good for thirteenth place.

In a tight team contest, the Rustlers find themselves in fourth place with 79.5 points just ahead of American River and El Camino College both with 78 points. Cuesta sits at third with 85 points. Defending champion Sierra College again leads with 198 points and Orange Coast College in second with 176.