Emily Foster captured two events and swam on the victorious 400 free relay team on Friday, leading Santa Barbara City College to its first-ever victory in women’s swimming at the season’s opening Western State Conference meet.
The Vaqueros, who are competing in women’s swimming for the first time this spring, collected 188 points to beat L.A. Pierce (127) and Ventura (70) on a cold and windy day at the Ventura Aquatic Center.
Foster, a sophomore from Dos Pueblos High, won the 200 individual medley (2:29.76) and 100 freestyle (1:01.53). Rachelle Visser (100 butterfly, 50 free) and Sienna van Alphen (200 free, 500 free) were also two-time winners.
SBCC’s 400 free relay team was 30 seconds faster than Pierce, taking first in 4:03.43. Janina Schulz led off, followed by Foster, van Alphen and Visser.
“The cold and windy conditions made swimming fast quite difficult,” said Santa Barbara coach Chuckie Roth. “We performed well as a group and were able to capture our first meet win. We’re always preaching a team effort and that every 5, 6, 7 and 8 place finish are big points. I was proud of our effort.
“Kaili Faust swam for the first time this season and won the 100 breast and was second in the 50 free. Madelyn Brooks posted her three best times of the season and Sarah Westmoreland took second in the 100 back and third in the 100 free.”
The Vaqueros will swim in WSC No. 2 on Friday, March 14 at Santa Monica College.
