Merced swimming continues dominance in Central California Conference
The Merced High School boys swimming team wrapped up another undefeated dual season in the Central California Conference.
The Bears defeated host Golden Valley 118-56 on Friday to finish 5-0 in the CCC, extending their dual-meet winning streak to 42. Merced hasn’t lost a dual meet in eight years. The Bears can wrap up an eighth consecutive conference title at the CCC Championships next Saturday at Pitman.
“Pretty much the overall attitude in the program is everyone is giving it their best all the time,” Merced coach Kit Grattan said. “Our swimmers have a positive attitude, and that’s important because swimming is so grueling. You can train 10 hours a week for three minutes of race time.”
The Bears were led by Ethan Eagleton and Abraham Santana. Eagleton won the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1 minute, 8.91 seconds and 200 freestyle (2:00.04). Eagleton also swam on two winning relay teams. Santana took home victories in the 200 individual medley (2:10.81) and 100 butterfly (56.41) and swam on two winning relays.
Alex Vallejo (50 free), Hunter Kahn (100 free) and Nick Formby (100 backstroke) also won events for the Bears.
The Merced girls defeated the Cougars 122-47 to improve to 4-0-1 in the CCC. The Bears are looking to win their seventh consecutive championship but will need to top Pitman at the CCC Championships after tying the Pride in their dual meet.
The Bears are 34-1-1 in their last 36 dual meets.
Mariah Ortega paced Merced with victories in the 100 butterfly (1:06.66) and 100 breaststroke (1:10.2) to go with wins in the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay. Also picking up wins for Merced were Stephanie Hart (200 individual medley), Madaline Hall (100 backstroke) and Ashton Espino (diving).
Marissa Wyan (200 and 500 free) and Anna Nuefeld (50 and 100 free) were double winners for Golden Valley.
“We’ve won with depth throughout the years,” Grattan said. “We’ve had some superstars, but it’s really been our depth that has pushed us over the top.”
Buhach Colony sweeps Atwater – The host Thunder boys and girls swimming teams swept the crosstown rival Falcons. The Buhach boys were led by Luke Bird, who won the 200 IM (2:20.97) and 100 breaststroke (1:11.33) as the Thunder squeaked out a 96-90 win.
Connor Norton won the 50 and 100 free for Atwater with times of 22.53 and 49.97 seconds.
The Buhach Colony girls defeated Atwater 132-39. Emma Seifert (200 and 100 free), Gwynne McBride (50 free and 100 back) and Erin McBride (100 butterfly and 500 free) were double winners for the Thunder.
This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 8:37 PM with the headline "Merced swimming continues dominance in Central California Conference."