Vaqueros take fifth in 400 free relay, finish 10th in State Championships

Sophomore Kelee Shimizu took seventh in the 1650 freestyle and SBCC grabbed fifth in the meet-closing 400 free relay to finish 10th in the CCCAA State Championships at De Anza College in Cupertino.

Shimizu was timed in 18:27.06 and scored 31 points for the Vaqueros in the three-day meet with a 10th in the 500 free, sixth in the 200 free and seventh in the 1650 free.

The 400 free relay, which featured Sarah Parson, Hana Wigzell, Haunani Bautista and Shimizu, swam 3:40.59 to pick up 28 points. It was the No. 4 mark in school history.

Orange Coast won its second straight women's state title and 20th overall with 553 points. San Diego Mesa was second with 332, Sierra was third with 318 and Diablo Valley was five points back in fourth place.

The Vaqueros placed 10th with 157 points. They went 53-4 in the regular season this year and they've finished between fourth and 10th in the state for five straight years.

Wigzell was 13th in the 200 back (2:17.30) and 14th in the 200 butterfly (2:21.54). Her butterfly time was a PR and the third-fastest in school history.

"I am very proud of this group of athletes and all their swims this weekend," said Chuckie Roth, who's 232-19 in six years as the head coach of swimming & diving. "Most of them will be leaving after this year. They have been part of an amazing run in water polo and swim. I loved watching them grow into who they are. I am appreciative and thankful that our paths have crossed and that we had these two years together."

The Vaqueros won their fifth straight WSC title and went unbeaten (26-0) for the fourth straight year. They stretched their school-record win streak to 114 straight in conference.