SWM: Royals trump Buena in league opener

The San Marcos boys swim team kicked off the Channel League season with a 117-63 demolition over Buena on Thursday at the Royals’ swimming pool.

The girls team won as well, led by double wins by Amanda Hayes and Paige Hauschild, plus a new school record in the 100 backstroke by freshman Maija Ninness.

Ninness’ time was 1:00.89. Royals head coach Chuckie Roth said Grace Pizzinat and Brittany Prentice turned in multiple important results. Lilly Rose Akin won the 500 freestyle in her debut.

“I was very proud of our team and their accomplishments,” Roth said.

San Marcos’ boys dominated in freestyle, winning the 200, f00, and 400 freestyle relay. George Kuesis won the 200 with a time of 1:50.02 and the 500 was won in 4:57.74 by Sean Apsey. Apsey also came up victorious in the 100 breastroke. The team of Alex Zauner, Spencer Wood, Sean Apsey, and George Kuesis cmbined to win the relay.

Patrick Rowley won the 200 individual Medley and also contributed to the relay along with Apsey, Zauner, and Sean Hopkins. Hopkins also tallied a win in the 100 butterfly.

“A couple of new members to our team made some great contributions today, Sean Apsey (10th grade) who moved here from Louisiana won both of his individual events as well as both relays he was on,” said coach Jeff Ashton. “Sean Hopkins (9th grade) won the 100 butterfly. As well, returning captain George Kuesis (11th grade) had a great swim in the 200 freestyle and anchored the 400 free relay that won by .05 of a second.”