(photo by Jack Hancock)
(photo by Jack Hancock)

Distance Races Pay Off For CMS

CMS played host to California Baptist University in the annual "Training Camp Splash" distance meet on Friday, January 11.  The meet featured an unusual slate of events, including 500 yard relays and 300 yard stroke events.  The Stags and Athenas each earned team victories.

"It is a different meet,"said head coach, Charlie Griffiths. "The times don't mean much, so the challenge is finding a way to race a new event."

CMS did find quality races.  The Athenas were led by sophomore Louisa Dunwiddie, who earned victories in three grueling races, taking the 1000 yard freestyle, 500 free and the 300 yard butterfly.  "That's arguably the toughest set of events possible at this meet. Louisa showed a lot of heart today."

The Stags rode another impressive performance by sophomore Alex Mendoza.  Mendoza broke his own pool record in the 1000 yard freestyle, clocking in at 9:44.67 to top the 9:50.20 mark he set in November. Mendoza also won the 500 free.

Stag diver James Stevick was a double-winner, snagging victory on the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events.  Last week's SCIAC Athlete of the Week, Carmen Lundell, continued her hot-streak on the boards, winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter events for the Athenas.

Other Athena winners were LillyBelle Deer (200 freestyle) and Maddy Gebhard (300 breaststroke).  The Stags gained additional first-place finishes by Cameron Whiting (200 freestyle), Conrad Shabb (300 IM), Joe Hinton (100 freestyle) and the 500 freestyle relay team of Devin Bowers, Alex Poltash, Hinton and Whiting.

"Cal Baptist always gives us a tough meet," Coach Griffiths said. "They've been among the top teams in NAIA over the years and will soon have a major presence in NCAA Division II. I'm proud of how the Stags and Athenas competed today and we're fortunate that the effort resulted in a positive score."

CMS will return to SCIAC play on Saturday, January 12 with a dual meet at California Lutheran University. Diving will begin at 10:00, with swimming to start at 11:00 a.m.