Swim Cruises to WSC #3 Victory

By Jimmy Friery

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara City College Women's Swimming team placed first at Friday's Western State Conference (WSC) #3 meet at Paul Nelson Aquatic Center, hosted by Hancock.

Six Vaqueros earned the top spot in at least one individual event, with eight overall earning podium finishes. The team's 199 points were well ahead of second-place Cuesta's 136.

Always dominating their relays, Santa Barbara's 'A' and 'B' teams were the top two in the opening 400 Medley Relay and 400 Free Relay. In the latter, Katie Strohl's 57.27 was the fastest split of all 32 swimmers in the event. Lastly, only one Vaquero team competed in the 800 Free Relay, which they won by 30 seconds.

Trinity Link placed first in both of the individual events she competed in: the 100 Free (56.26) and 200 IM (2:11.94). A teammate finished second in both events, too—Leah Rummelhoff in the 100 Free (57.74) and May Guidoux in the 200 IM (2:20.44). Rummelhoff outpaced everyone in the 50 Free, though (25.83), and Guidoux won the 400 IM (4:56.82). Speaking of the 50 Free, Makena Quinones placed third at 26.77 as seven of the top-eight finishers were Vaqueros.

Along with having the fastest split in the 400 Free Relay, Strohl was the fastest swimmer in the 200 Fly, clocking in at 2:25.53—winning with 24 seconds to spare.

In the first individual event, Pamela Hernandez won the 1650 Free. Her 20:12.75 was a 21-second improvement from her previous time.

Ava Barclay was a winner in the 200 Breast (2:47.16), a touch ahead of second place; only .32 seconds separated her and Cuesta's Kailey Ardouin. Zoe McGehee finished third at 2:55.66 as the Vaqueros took home five of the top six spots in the event.

Lone Men's swimmer Will Robinson had a great day, too. After placing third in the 100 Free (50.36), he earned second in the 50 Free sprint (22.06).

Santa Barbara competes again next Friday, April 3, at the Orange Coast Invite.

1^st place finishes:

400 Medley Relay – Makena Quinones-Leah Rummelhoff-Trinity Link-May Guidoux (4:13.45)
1650 Free – Pamela Hernandez (20:12.75)
100 Free – Trinity Link (56.26)
400 IM – May Guidoux (4:56.82)
200 Breast – Ava Barclay (2:47.16)
400 Free Relay – Katie Strohl-Pamela Hernandez-Makena Quinones-Leah Rummelhoff (3:55.15)
200 Fly – Katie Strohl (2:25.53)
50 Free – Leah Rummelhoff (25.83)
200 IM – Trinity Link (2:11.94)
800 Free Relay – Trinity Link-Katie Strohl-Pamela Hernandez-May Guidoux (8:30.21)

2^nd place finishes:

400 Medley Relay – Lucy Grooms-Ava Barclay-Katie Strohl-Pamela Hernandez (4:33.84)
200 Back – Makena Quinones (2:24.25)
100 Free – Leah Rummelhoff (57.74)
400 Free Relay – Nevaeh Minglana-Lucy Grooms-Ava Barclay-Sienna Barelli (4:11.10)
200 IM – May Guidoux (2:20.44)
50 Free (M) – Will Robinson (22.06)

3^rd place finishes:

200 Breast – Zoe McGehee (2:55.66)
50 Free – Makena Quinones (26.77)
100 Free (M) – Will Robinson (50.36)