Ripon High’s boys and girls swim teams are off to a strong start to their Valley Oak League championship defenses.
On Friday, they defeated host Sierra and Central Catholic in a double dual. The boys team, which claimed its first title last year, handed Sierra its first loss of the season, 107-63. The Lady Indians, who three-peated and seized their fourth crown in five years, coasted to a 132-38 win over the Timberwolves.
Three-time CIF State Championships qualifier and Arizona signee Ty Wells coasted to wins in the 200-yard individual medley and 100 butterfly.
Lucas Esenwein (50 freestyle, 100 free) was also a double winner for Ripon. Kai and Maika West finished 1-2 in the 500 free, with Kai also placing second in the 200 free. Connor Self took first in the 100 backstroke and second in the 200 IM.
David Tolman highlighted the Sierra boys with a thrilling first-place finish in the 100 breaststroke, holding off a late charge from Noah Eswenwein to win with a time of 1 minute, 5.42 seconds. Noah Esenwein clocked a 1:05.92.
Tolman was also the 50 free runner-up, while Nikolas Brink claimed the 200 free.
Ripon’s girls had their way with Sierra, coming up with 1-2-3 finishes in six individual events. Cal Baptist-bound Mallory Brubaker helped lead the way, winning the 200 free and 500 free.
Elizabeth Wenner took first in the 50 free and 100 back. Eleanor Tran won the 100 fly, and Chloe Winter the 100 free. Ripon won every varsity boys and girls relay race.
Meghan Tolman was Sierra’s lone first-place finisher, as she tallied victories in the 200 IM and 100 breast.
Against Central Catholic, Connor McClure (200 IM), Erik Enriquez (100 fly), Esteban Castro (500 free), Charles Randolph (100 back) and Brink (100 free) won races in Sierra’s landslide 120-38 boys victory. Ezra Moral (100 free) and Sophia Allen (500 free) contributed to the Sierra girls’ 92-62 triumph. Sierra’s boys are 4-1 overall, and the girls are 1-4.

Junior varsity
Sierra’s girls team settled for a sweep, narrowly dropping a 64-50 decision to Ripon while cruising past Central Catholic, 75-20.
The Timberwolves’ first-place finishes came against Central Catholic, as they were paced by Josceline Dominguez (100 IM, 50 fly), Hallie Shirley (100 free) and Maria Garcia (50 back).