Sierra High’s swimming team ended the Valley Oak League regular season with a bang, producing a pair of victories over host rival Manteca Friday.
The defending Sierra girls champion cruised, 122-48. Manteca’s boys put up a fight but fell short, 97-71.
Individual highlights for Sierra were unavailable as of press time.
Both of Manteca’s teams wrap up the dual season at 7-3.
“Obviously it was tough to lose today, especially to a school in town, but I am still really proud of all my swimmers,” Manteca coach Elyce Ruble said. “Sierra is a very solid program with a lot of talented swimmers.
“Their kids all worked hard, and that pushed our swimmers to get some of their best times of the season. There were a lot of close, exciting races, which always makes a meet fun.”
Kevin Craighead was the Buffaloes’ lone multi-event winner, as he claimed the 200 freestyle in 2 minutes, 11.82 seconds and 500 free in 5:56.82.
Joseph Brandi scored their only other first-place points with a win in the 100 backstroke (1:09.11).
Leading the girls was standout Davina Bennett, who triumphed in the 50 free (26.94) and dropped nearly 3 seconds off her previous best time in the 100 breast stroke (1:16.53), where she was the runner-up.
A pair of freshmen provided solid efforts for Manteca. Amanda Christensen was the runner-up placer in the 100 backstroke (1:14.75), while Kaile Hunt sliced just under 5 seconds off her third-place time (1:16.67) in the same event.
Next up is the Valley Oak League Championships hosted at Sierra next Saturday, May 1.
The defending Sierra girls champion cruised, 122-48. Manteca’s boys put up a fight but fell short, 97-71.
Individual highlights for Sierra were unavailable as of press time.
Both of Manteca’s teams wrap up the dual season at 7-3.
“Obviously it was tough to lose today, especially to a school in town, but I am still really proud of all my swimmers,” Manteca coach Elyce Ruble said. “Sierra is a very solid program with a lot of talented swimmers.
“Their kids all worked hard, and that pushed our swimmers to get some of their best times of the season. There were a lot of close, exciting races, which always makes a meet fun.”
Kevin Craighead was the Buffaloes’ lone multi-event winner, as he claimed the 200 freestyle in 2 minutes, 11.82 seconds and 500 free in 5:56.82.
Joseph Brandi scored their only other first-place points with a win in the 100 backstroke (1:09.11).
Leading the girls was standout Davina Bennett, who triumphed in the 50 free (26.94) and dropped nearly 3 seconds off her previous best time in the 100 breast stroke (1:16.53), where she was the runner-up.
A pair of freshmen provided solid efforts for Manteca. Amanda Christensen was the runner-up placer in the 100 backstroke (1:14.75), while Kaile Hunt sliced just under 5 seconds off her third-place time (1:16.67) in the same event.
Next up is the Valley Oak League Championships hosted at Sierra next Saturday, May 1.
— Jonamar Jacinto
