By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
SWIMMING: Tolman shatters Sierra alumna’s VOL meet record
bulletin swimming 2019
Sierra’s Meghan Tolman shattered a 17-year-old Valley Oak League record Thursday at Oakdale High, where she won the 100-yard breaststroke. File photo by WAYNE THALLANDER

OAKDALE — The Valley Oak League’s girls 100-yard breaststroke record still belongs to Sierra, but a new name reigns in the event.
On Thursday, Sierra junior Meghan Tolman repeated as the VOL Championships 100 breast champion, finishing with a new meet record time of 1 minute, 5.58 seconds. The previous mark of 1:06.42 set by former Timberwolf Ja-Neil Bragg stood since 2002. Tolman also took first in the 200 individual medley (2:12.55).
Bragg, who went on to swim for Pacific, still owns meet records in the 200 IM, 100 fly and 500 free.
Two other meet records were shattered Thursday. The Ripon girls 200 freestyle relay finished first in 1:42.19, beating the 2013 Ripon team’s 1:43.84.
Central Catholic’s Malia Fernandez broke her own girls 100 free record in 53.47. Ripon’s Ashtyne Topie also bettered the old record time of 53.92, clocking in at 53.62 and was the runner-up to Fernandez in the 50 free (24.60).
Although team championships have already been decided in dual competition, Ripon earned the most points for varsity boys (130), varsity girls (172) and junior varsity girls (175) in the VOL meet. Ripon’s girls claimed its fifth straight league title, while Oakdale holds the varsity boys crown.
Weston Ranch’s Garrett Kmiec was another individual standout, winning both the 50 free (22.33) and 100 free (49.55).
Nik Brink of Sierra shined in the distance events, placing first in the 500 free (5:06.39) and second in the 200 free (1:53.12). Manteca’s Joshua Craighead won the 100 butterfly in 58.77 seconds, with East Union’s Michael Garcia trailing as the runner-up.
Kennedy Brubaker spearheaded an all-Ripon 1-2-3 finish in the 500 free, ending in 5:28.42 with Taylor Blair and Lauren McGowan following suit. Delaney Brubaker had two second-place finishes (200 free, 100 back), as did Connor Self (100 back, 200 IM).
Ripon won the girls 400 free, boys 200 free and boys 400 free relays.
Up next is the Sac-Joaquin Section Trials on May 2-3 at Tokay High of Lodi. The finals take place May 4.

 

TEAM RESULTS

VOL Championships

BOYS: 1. Ripon, 130; 2. Oakdale, 80; 3. Sierra, 65; 4. Kimball, 63; 5. Manteca, 56; 6. East Union, 50; 7. Weston Ranch, 37; 8. Central Catholic, 23.

GIRLS: 1. Ripon 172; 2. Oakdale, 108; 3. Kimball, 62; 4. Central Catholic, 61; 5. Sierra, 46; 6. Manteca, 34; 7. East Union, 25.