MVC para swimmer Easton Alanis wins pair of titles at CCS Championships

SAN JOSE - Already crowned a Central Coast Section swimming champion and CIF State Meet qualifier as a freshman, Monte Vista Christian School's Easton Alanis was back for more at Independence High on Saturday. And things went, well, swimmingly.

The Mustangs' sophomore - introduced by his mother Stephanie, to swimming early as a safety measure since people with autism are drawn to water - earned a pair of wins. He repeated as the mixed 50-yard freestyle champion in 30.63 seconds, more than a second faster than his seed time (31.75), and more than a second ahead of his closest competitor, formidable Mountain View senior Amanda Ford (33.07) in the final.

Alanis also took first place in the mixed 100 free in 1:10.08, more than 10 seconds faster than his seed time (1:18.88). He finished more than three seconds ahead of Ford.

Again, Alanis qualified for the CIF State Championships, which run Thursday through Saturday at at Clovis Olympic Swim Complex.

"Easton put in all of the extra time and effort to continue to improve upon his unprecedented freshman season," Mustangs coach Chris Staka said. "To repeat as champion was exactly his goal, and he achieved it not today, but every day this season leading up to it."

Aptos senior Adelaide Friedley, committed to play water polo at NCAA Division I Cal Baptist University, competed in two B Finals. She took fourth in the 50 freestyle, 12th overall, in 24.21 after posting a 24.10 finish in the prelims on Thursday.

Woodside sophomore Clara Young won the 50 free A Final in 22.87, and Santa Teresa senior Alyssa Cutforth won the B Final in 23.80.

Two hours later, Friedley took third in the 100 breaststroke, 11th overall, in 1:05.36. She swam 1:05.13 in the prelims.

Friedley qualified for CCS and made section finals all four years with the Mariners.

"I had a good time," Friedley said. "I feel like I finished strong. I finaled in two events, so that was really exciting. I was happy to come back and swim again."

Archbishop Mitty junior Emma O'Young won the 100 breast A Final in 1:02.30, and her freshman teammate, Caroline Perkins, won the B Final in 1:05.06.

Friedley realizes it was no easy feat enjoying the success that she did. For the second straight year, she was the lone female from Santa Cruz County to make a final.

She also competes in extremely competitive distances.

"There's always an excited, fast freshman coming in, especially in the shorter races I swim," Friedley said. "It's a little more competitive, I'd say, just because it's so short. I've put in the work. I feel like I worked really hard and gave it my best, so I was happy about that."

Friedley, who admits to having "Senioritis," did her best to stay focused an committed in the pool, knowing that she'll benefit from her efforts while continuing her water polo career.

"I wanted to stay swimming just to stay in shape and continue to carry on my speed," she said. "I don't want to let that slip at all. I feel like that's important part of what I'm gonna need in college."

Scotts Valley freshman Maddux Bailey took fifth in the 100 backstroke B Final, 13th overall, in 53.52. He swam 54.19 in the prelims.

Henry M. Gunn senior Nate Yoon won the 100 back A Final in 47.59, and Leigh junior Daniel Ratz won the B Final in 52.21.

Of the top 16 swimmers to make 100 back finals, Bailey was just one of three freshmen. Junipero Serra's Finn Crawford (50.57) took fourth in the A Final, and Palo Alto's Jerrick Yong (51.51) took sixth.

"Performance-wise, I think I could've done better. But, honestly, I think that's the best I could've done," Bailey said.

He hit the lane line with his arm on his second 25, which likely cost him some time. "In total, I think it was a pretty good race," he said.

Bailey was the lone swimmer from Santa Cruz County to make a boys final. That accomplishment wasn't lost on him.

"I can't really comprehend it," he said. "When I found out I got finals, going home, I just randomly smiled. Because I figured out I made finals as a freshman and I'm the only one in Santa Cruz County."

Bailey, who competes for Quicksilver Santa Cruz year-round, has the potential to be a D-I swimmer, multiple area coaches said.

"That's the goal," Bailey said.

He was a multiple-sport athlete until deciding to devote himself to swimming beginning this year.

"I have a lot to improve for," he said.

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