San Marcos’ girls swim team came close to defeating Ventura on Friday, falling to the Cougars by a combined score of 100-85. The Royals boys fell by a wider margin at 138-36 in a Channel League meet.
“It was an amazing swim meet for the Royals,” said girls coach Brian Roth. “Several swimmers performed well to put the team into a position to win the meet.”
It came down to the final relay in the girls competition and Roth decided to split his ‘A’ team with his ‘B’ team to go for the win. The Royals needed a first and second to beat the Cougars but finished second and third.
Ashley Wagner, Tori Ward and Zoe Kirker went 1-2-3 in the 100 backstroke to put San Marcos in a position to win.
Brittny Hummel, Sarah Thwing, Flo Chardon and Jade Fitzgerald were victorious in the 4×50 relay with a time of 1 minute, 47.79 seconds. Thwing was the anchor for the first-place 4×50 medley relay team that included Emily Wheeler, Shannon Orr and Wagner.
“Thwing is one of the most special athletes I have ever coached,” Roth said. “She leaves everything on the playing field . She has over come many obstacles to get to where she is at. She has tremendous potential and will boast great times by seasons end.”
Emilia Wakamatsu recorded two season bests in the 100 fly and 200 IM, as did Rose Koper and Alexah Hart in the 200 and 500 free.
John Errico finished second in the 100 backstroke for the Royals boys. Andre Rivera recorded another second for the boys in the 100 breast stroke and his coach, Jeff Ashton, liked what he saw from Rivera in several events.
