Manteca High’s boys and girls swim teams overcame visiting intracity rival East Union with mirroring 95-75 scores on Friday.

It was nip-and-tuck throughout until both Buffalo squads distanced themselves in the 100-yard breast stroke, the second to last event of the meet. The girls went 1-2-3 and were spearheaded by Julia Saling, who was high-scorer of the meet with other first-place finishes in the 50 freestyle, 200 medley relay and 200 free relay.

“This was exactly the way a meet with your crosstown rival should be: close races, kids getting their best times of the season and great sportsmanship,” said Manteca coach Elyce Silva. The air on deck was electric today, and it was fun to be a part of.”

Manteca’s boys took first, second and fourth in the breast stroke, with Sterling Roberts leading the pack. Stephen Ruble (24.50 seconds) out-touched Collin Scholl (24.64) to claim the 50 free. Brandon Craighead won the 100 butterfly and joined Ruble on the winning 200 free and 200 medley relays. The 200 free relay team, which includes Ezequiel Porfiri and Austin Welch, recorded a qualifying time for the Sac-Joaquin Section Meet in 1 minute, 39.99 seconds.

Nick Burrows added first-place points in the 500 free.

Elijah Salas paced East Union with wins in the 200 individual medley and 100 back. Scott Fisher won the 100 free.

Jenelle Macedo shined for EU’s girls squad. She turned in section qualifying times at the frosh-soph level in the 100 free (1:00.96) and 100 back (1:09.99). Hayley Boyd was the top finisher in the 200 free and 500 free. Both she and Macedo were part of the winning 400 free relay.

Amanda Christensen (100 fly, 200 medley relay, 200 free relay) was in on three wins for Manteca. Megan Timmins won the 200 IM and competed for the 200 medley relay team.



Sonora 89, Sierra 80 girls

The Timberwolves suffered their first loss of the season in heartbreaking fashion at Sonora Friday. It forces a three-way tie for first place in the Valley Oak League, with Oakdale and Ripon each having one loss apiece. Sierra hosts Ripon in its league finale next Friday, while Sonora takes on Oakdale.

The tone was set in the first event of the day. Sierra’s 200 medley relay narrowly lost to Sonora’s top quartet (2:07.64) by three-tenths of a second.

The swing event was the 100 free won by Sierra’s Vanessa Flores. The Timberwolves’ next best finisher, Jennifer Tewell, placed fifth in 1:06.72, but not much separated her and the runner-up from Sonora (1:06.41).

Flores was Sierra’s top performer. She also won the 100 free and led the 200 free relay to victory.  Ashley McKinney (200 IM), Natalie Randolph (500 free) and Marissa Machado (100 breast) were other winners for Sierra.



Sonora 101, Sierra 69 boys

Brandon Castro (200 free, 500 free) and Scott Tolman (200 IM, 100 breast) were the lone winners for the Timberwolves Friday.