Justin Ector
Despite losing as a team to Cuesta College, the Pierce College men and women’s swimming and diving teams shined individually in their regular season home opener on Friday.
Cuesta was able to use their advantage a strength in numbers to win the team battle against Pierce.
Cuesta had 79 boys and Pierce only had 16 boys.
The focus of the meet was improving from of the previous week’s performance.
“We swam faster than we did last week. We were having fun and doing good at the same time,” said Pierce Head Coach Fred Shaw.
The windy conditions became somewhat of a factor in the meet also.
“The wind was tough on the swimmers from when they were on the starting block to when they entered the water” said Shaw.
The wind was especially tough on the divers.
Victor Vento participated in the diving competition and said “the wind made it hard to keep balanced on the diving board.”
Even with the windy conditions, Marcus Bolder managed to win both the one meter and three meter diving competitions.
“I came in prepared and did what I was supposed to” said Bolder. “On the three meter, I was just having fun because it was just me.”
The swimming events kicked off with the Pierce girls winning the 200-meter medley relay.
Madison McGee swam in that relay, then came right back in the next event and won the 1000-meter freestyle. McGee dominated the race; leading from start to finish.
McGee also finished second in the 50-meter freestyle.
“I was seven seconds faster than last week in the 1000,” said McGee.
“The team is strong and doing well. Our times are dropping and everyone is practicing hard.”
Jessica Chen and Juliana Pasos was also on that medley relay team and they won both of their individual events. Chen won the 100 and 200-meter freestyles. Pasos won the 200-meter medley and 100-meter breaststroke.
Both swimmers led their races from start to finish.
“I was surprised how well we did. They have a huge team and we have a small team,” said Chen. “We are all improving and I am looking forward to the team bonding.”
Deborah Hefter was also on that medley relay team. She won the 100-meter backstroke. She missed winning the 50-meter freestyle and placed second by less than three-tenths of a second.
Transfer Banafshe Kimiagar was finally able to participate in her first meet of the year. Kimiagar took third in the 100-meter freestyle and fourth in the 100-meter backstroke. Kimiagar was ineligible to swim in the meets while waiting on her grades to get transferred over from California State University, Northridge.
“It was a good first meet and I will beat my time in upcoming meets,” said Kimiagar.
Pierce’s next home meet is on Friday against Los Angeles Valley College.