Sage Lynn / Roundup
The Pierce College Brahma swim and dive teams had their first scoring meet of the season Friday at the Santa Monica College Swim Center where they competed against the Bakersfield College Renegades, Ventura College Pirates, and Santa Monica College Corsairs.
The Brahma’s own Sareen Hagopian won the 200-yard individual medley and Samantha Elam won both the 200 and 500-yard free style.
“I’m still a little pumped,” said Elam between her two victories.
Many of her teammates share the same attitude.
“When I’m in the water, I’m not thinking; I’m in the zone,” said Ryan Orphan.
Orphan is in his second year of college and plans to transfer to California Maritime Academy in Vallejo where he plans to continue swimming competitively while studying to become a ship captain.
Diving coach Josh Foster has high hopes for the Brahma dive team.
A couple of rough dives didn’t deter first year diver, Kenna Worthen, from doing well according to Foster.
“She struggled with challenging new dives and had a lot of painful dives,” said Foster. “When you land wrong, it hurts.”
Danielle Williamson swam two events, as well as diving. Williamson swam one race, went straight over to the diving area to compete, and then went back to swim another race.
“It can be very challenging switching gears between two disciplines,” said Foster. “[Williamson] improved considerably over last week.”
Worthen and Williamson’s teammates, Ryan Anderson and Oren Steuer, also performed well.
Ryan Anderson placed first in both the one-meter and three-meter dives, and Oren Steuer is working on new dives for the three-meter dives that have a high degree of difficulty.
All four divers are first year diving competitors. This has everyone associated with the program very excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Head Coach Fred Shaw. “The men have a lot of depth, and we have a very powerful girl’s team.”
The next meet for the Brahmas will be a two-day event on March 11 and 12 at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo.
Pierce swimmers explode off the blocks and breaking the surface on Mar. 4 at Santa Monica College. Pierce swimmers placed 2nd during their quad meet. ()