LOS BANOS — Ripon entered just eight swimmers in the third annual Merced County Championships at Pacheco High on Saturday but managed to make a splash despite the small turnout.

The Indians came away with eight meet records, and the girls team narrowly placed second to Division I Buhach Colony. The Thunder won the girls competition with 309 points against Ripon’s 301. Kerman took third with 264, and Dos Palos fourth with 191.

Elizabeth Wenner was part of four first-place finishes for the girls, including record-breaking swims in the 50 free (25.92) and 100 backstroke (1:02.48). She also joined Hannah Sweet, Chloe winter and Amber Scheid on the winning 200 medley relay (1:58.09) and Andrea Martin, Sweet and Scheid on the record-breaking 200 free relay (1:47.72).

Sweet set the standard in her wins in the 200 IM (2:14.55) and 100 breast (1:09.88). Brubaker shattered meet records in the 200 free (2:01.83) and 500 free (5:23.18). 

Winter was nearly a four-event winner, as she took first in the 100 free (59.43) and second in the 100 fly (1:06.29). Martin was the 100 back runner-up (1:07.49) while taking fourth in the 200 IM (2:33.89). Scheid took third in both the 500 free (6:06.14) and 100 breast (1:16.78).

Sophomore standout Ty Wells, one of just two Manteca area swimmers to qualify for the inaugural CIF Championships last year, broke two records with wins in the 100-yard butterfly (54.43 seconds) and 100 breaststroke (59.43). Diego Moreno was Ripon’s only other male competitor, and he placed sixth in the 200 individual medley (2 minutes, 41.09 seconds) and eighth in the 100 breast (1:15.42).

The Indians continue their busy seven-day stretch today when they welcome East Union for a Valley Oak League dual meet. They’ll head to Lathrop on Thursday and then host the fourth Ervin Zador Invitational on Saturday. Other teams competing Saturday are Manteca, East Union, Sierra, Hilmar and Gregori.