After a first-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay, Manteca High’s girls swim team seized a three-point lead with three events remaining and held on to squeak out a thrilling 85-84 win over Sierra in a Valley Oak League dual meet Friday at R. Stephen Winter Pool.
Sierra’s boys contingent won decisively, 120-43.
For the Manteca girls (2-0), Samantha Cerritos sprinted to victories in the 50 and 100 freestyle events. Gracie Montandon added first-place points in the 200 individual medley, and Emma Kadillak’s win the 100 backstroke helped the Buffaloes extend their late lead.
Meghan Tolman paced Sierra (1-2 VOL, 1-5 overall) with wins in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke. Lyza Stevens spearheaded the Timberwolves’ 1-2-3 finish in the 500 free that gave them their final lead at 56-53. She was also the 200 free runner-up.
Sierra’s boys (2-1, 5-1) had wins in all but two races against the outmanned Buffs (1-1), who were without ill-stricken sophomore standout Matthew Trejo.
David Tolman led top-three sweeps in the 50 free and 100 breast. Nik Brink chipped in with wins in the 200 free and 100 free. Erik Enriquez out-touched Manteca’s Josh Craighead to claim the 100 fly, and Connor McClure coasted to first in the 200 IM.
Craighead was involved in another close race, edging past Sierra’s Colby Gatty and Charles Randolph for the 100 back win. Arturo Avila outlasted three Timberwolves to take first in the 500 free.

GOLF
East Union 242,
Manteca 274
Tyler Griggs was the runaway medalist, leading East Union (4-1 VOL) with an impressive 2-under-par 35 at Manteca Park Golf Course.
Runner-up Kyle Dorland followed with a 41, and Gabriel Espinoza took third overall with a 51. Dawson Mix and Brandon Ugalino each finished with a 55.
For Manteca (0-4, 1-5 overall), Isaac Bill ended with a team-low 51. Adrian Gonzales (54), Matsua Garcia-Mendez (56), Saleem Safi (56) and Saleem Safi (56) capped scoring for the Buffaloes.

TENNIS
Kimball 9, East Union 0
It was all Kimball in the makeup match held at East Union.
No. 3 singles player Mathew Vadachira was in the most competitive match for East Union, ultimately falling to Sahil Thakur, 4-6, 3-6.  Reigning VOL singles champion Logan Le defeated East Union’s Luis Tristan, 6-1, 6-1.
In doubles action, the Lancers tandem of Taranjit Singh and Isaac Diaz threatened to take it to a third set but fell 0-6, 4-6 to Paolo Acosta and Brandon Basto.