Defending champion Alex Valente of Dos Pueblos qualified first in the boys 100 butterfly at the CIF Division 1 swimming prelims on Thursday in Riverside.
Valente dominated his heat, winning in 47.40 seconds. He also qualified for the finals in the 100 back with a fourth-place time of 50.09.
The top nine times make the championship finals on Saturday. Places 10 through 18 swim in the consolation finals.
Walker Bell of DP also qualified for the finals in two events. He finished eighth in the 500 free in 4:29.50 and was seventh in the 200 IM in 1:50.77, a new Channel League record.
Blake Parrish of the Chargers qualified eighth in the 100 breaststroke in 57.02. He missed qualifying in the 100 free, finishing 23rd in 47.88.
The Chargers made the finals in the 2oo medley relay and 400 free relays. The medley relay had the third fastest time of the day at 1:32.91 and the 400 relay came in fourth in 3:05.88, setting a new league record.
Paige Hauschild of San Marcos qualified for the finals in 100 free and 200 free, while teammate Olivia Smith made it in the 100 fly. Hauschild had the ninth fastest qualifying time in the 200 free (1:52.06) and was sixth in the 100 free (51.23). Smith clocked 57.20 to grab the ninth and final championship qualifying spot in the 100 fly.
The San Marcos girls qualified third in the 200 free relay (1:37.15). The 400 free relay finished 15th (3:35.07) and will race in the consolation final. Freshman Maija Ninness will swim in the consolation 100 back after finishing 15th in the prelims (59.07).
From DP, Cassandra Barkhorn finished 16th in the 500 free prelims (5:03.96) to make the consolation final.
Santa Barbara’s Ben Brewer finished 21st in the 500 free in a personal best of 4:39.8. The Dons’ 400 free relay members Evan Blix and Cuyler Gabriel swam season bests times, while Lara Kostruba and Jessee Ransone turned in season-best times in the 200 free relay.
