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Sierra coasts to victories over Lathrop, Weston Ranch
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East Unions Julia De Groot keeps pace during a Valley Oak League swim meet against visiting Ripon Friday. Results were not available as of press time. - photo by HIME ROMERO

Sierra High’s boys and girls swim teams picked up two easy wins over Lathrop and Weston Ranch Friday.

The ladies produced 1-2-3 sweeps in every event against Lathrop in a 140-13 victory. They also trounced Weston Ranch, 132-27.

Sierra had seven different swimmers win individual events. Rachel Holmstrom won two of them, the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle.

Also contributing first-place points were Annie Banks (200 individual medley), Olivia Higby (50 free), Rosie Reynolds (100 butterfly), Sophia Ferriera (500 free), Ashley McKinney (100 backstroke) and Maddie Banks (100 breaststroke).

The same foursome won each of the three relay events. Marissa Machado joined Ferriera, McKinney and Reynolds on the winning 200 medley, 200 free and 400 free relays.

The Sierra boys beat Weston Ranch 126-26 and defeated Lathrop, 126-31.

Zac De Groot (200 free, 100 fly, 200 medley relay, 400 free relay) and Ryan Melton (50 free, 100 free, 200 medley relay, 200 free relay) were both a part of four first-place finishes.

Nick Jamero won the 100 backstroke and aided the 200 medley and 400 free relays. Matthew Elliot took first in the 100 breaststroke against Lathrop and the 200 IM while joining the winning 400 free relay. Brandon Castro was also on the 400 free relay while winning the 500 free individually.

“The kids are in midseason form and looking really good,” said Sierra head coach Dave Breitenbucher, adding that assistant coach Robin Errecart has much to do with the team’s current success.

“She has done a lot with the kids and they respond well to her,” Breitenbucher said of Errecart. “A lot of credit goes to her.”

Weston Ranch’s Jacob Malalwan was the only competitor to win an event against Sierra, earning the top spot in the 100 breaststroke. Christian Sevilla was Lathrop’s top points contributor with second places in the 200 IM, 100 fly, 200 medley relay and 200 free relay.

Oakdale 107, Manteca 61 (Boys)

Trevor Gardner was the Buffaloes’ lone event winner at Oakdale, taking first in the 100 free and second in the 500 free. He was also on the second-place 200 free and 400 free relays along with sophomore Stephen Ruble and freshmen Brandon Craighead and Sterling Roberts.

Kevin Perez took second in the 100 breast stroke.

Oakdale 115,Manteca 55 (Girls)

Freshman Julia Saling triumphed in the 100 breaststroke while shaving nearly two seconds off her previous best time. She clocked in at 1 minute, 16.35 seconds to qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section Trials.

Amanda Christensen was second in the 100 fly and 100 back, and Meghan Donaghy was the runner-up in the 500 free.

“We had 64 kids in the water today, the biggest team we have ever had, and that is something we are really proud of,” Manteca coach Elyce Ruble said. “We have a ton of first-time swimmers this year, not just for our team but kids who have never swam competitively. These kids have a couple of meets under their belts now and they are learning the ropes.”