Despite competing in 10 combined events in the boys and girls Central Coast Section swimming championship on Friday and Saturday, the Balers advanced only a diver to the finals after struggling in the prelims.
San Benito competed in nine swimming events at the Santa Clara Swim Center but only Quinn Six finished in the top-20 of a competition, as most of the team swam slower than their qualifying times.
San Benito did earn seven points though in diving, as junior Jordan Dain scored 268.60 points to finish in 10th place. Dain was he only Baler to earn points, giving the San Benito boys squad a 36th place finish at the meet.
Six, who swam in three events including the 200-yard medley relay, was one of the few Balers to improve on his times. The senior, in his last meet as a Baler, finished in 18th place in both the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard IM.
In the 200-yard IM, Six improved nearly four seconds from his time at the Tri-County Athletic League championship to 2:01.79. The time, though, was two spots — and one second — short of advancing Six to the finals.
Six’s time was nearly 13 seconds slower than St. Francis’ sophomore Curtis Ogren’s time of 1:48.59.
In the 100-year backstroke, Six was once again two spots short of advancing from the prelims to the finals. Six, though, did improve his time to 54.44 — from 55.56 — to earn a personal best and school record.
The next best finish for the Balers belonged to the girls 200-yard free relay team of Rachel Estep, Haley Larson, Katarina Ortiz and Caitlin Schafer. The four girls finished in 27th place with a time of 1:45.97. The time, though, was nearly a half-second slower than their personal best.
Individually, Schafer finished in 37th place out of 51 competitors in the 50-yard free. In the 100-yard back, Rachel Estep finished with a time of 1:04.26 to place 42nd.
Boys
200-yard medley relay — Alejandro Dones, Quinn Six, Gus Spurzem, Dill Pickle Ponzio, 1:49.62, 39th
200-yard free relay — Steven Rios, Dill Pickle Ponzio, Adrian Martinez, Alejandro Dones, 1:38.10, 36th
100-yard back — Quinn Six, 54.44, 18th
200-yard IM — Quinn Six, 2:01.79, 18th; Alejandro Dones, 2:06.45, 36th
Diving – Jordan Dain, 268.60 points, 10th
Girls
200-yard medley relay — Rachel Estep, Caitlin Schafer, Haley Larson, Katarina Ortiz, 1:59.90, 31st
50-yard free — Caitlin Schafer, 25.69, 37th
200-yard free relay — Rachel Estep, Caitlin Schafer, Haley Larson, Katarina Ortiz, 1:45.97, 27th
100-yard back — Rachel Estep, 1:04.26, 42nd
400-yard free relay — Bri Huntly, Alex Vargas, Katarina Ortiz, Haley Larson, 4:05.43, 36th
