Santa Barbara’s Kelsey O’Brien and the Dons’ 200 free relay team advanced to the finals at the CiF Division 1 Prelims on Wednesday night at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach.
O’Brien finished eighth in the 50 freestyle in 24.16, and the relay team of Makenzy Fowler, Dana Sloan, Madeline Trabucco and O’Brien moved up from 22nd to eighth place to make the finals.
The Dons’ 400 free relay also made a big jump. The team of Sophie Trabucco, Sloan, Madeline Trabucco and O’Brien went from 27th to 12th place to make the consolation final. Their time was 3:39.29.
The Dos Pueblos boys qualified for the finals in the 400 free relay, finishing with the eighth fastest time at 3:12.78. Team members are Chase Racich, Nic Lum, Theo Coyne, and Josh Pighetti.
The San Marcos girls’ 200 free relay moved up from 27th to 24th place and improved their season-best time by a half second. The team of Dasha Depew, Ashley Wagner, Brittny Hummel and Sara Thwing clocked 1:42.83.
“They did a good job,” San Marcos coach Chuckie Roth said. “They helped build the program to be more competitive. I was really impressed with the kids.”
Kiley Neushul and Janelle Nguyen each qualified for the finals for the Dos Pueblos girls. Neushul posted the seventh fastest time in the 100 backstroke (57.90) and Nguyen placed seventh in the 100 butterfly (57.32).
In relays, the Chargers will be swimming in the consolation finals.
The 200 medley relay (Madison Faulkner, Maelyn Adornetto, Janelle Nguyen and Emily Swindle) posted the 13th fastest time.
“This is a really young relay, with two sophomores and two freshmen,” coach Leslie Wiggins Roth said. “This is an incredibly valuable experience for them as they are the future of our team.
The 200 freestyle relay (Madison Faulkner, Emily Swindle, Kiley Neushul, Emily Rose Williams) took 10th, and the 400 free relay (Emily Rose Williams, Janelle Nguyen, Emily Swindle & Kiley Neushul) placed 11th.
“Freshman Emily Swindle has been playing a huge role as part of all three of our relays. She is swimming well and keeping a really positive attitude,” said Roth
Neushul will also swim in the consolation final of the 200 free, where she is currently 15th.
“She seemed to have a little left over after she swam the 200, and it will be exciting to see her leave it all in the pool on Friday,” said Roth
Nguyen is also in the consolation heat of the 500 free after finishing 13th.
Williams made it back in the consolation final of the 50 free.
