The Clovis Community College swimmers competed in the 41st Annual Cuesta Invitational on Friday and Saturday, March 8-9, 2019.
This meet is typically a mid-season focal point for all swim teams in the CCCAA because of the position in the season and being geographically close to Northern and Southern California. This year’s meet was held in Bakersfield at Bakersfield College, because of repairs that are being done at the Cuesta College Aquatic Center. There were not any diving events offered at this competition, as there are no diving boards in place at the Bakersfield swim complex.
The Crush women’s team scored 549.5 points and placed 3rd overall, which improved on their 11th placed finish, from last year and only bettered by the two co-hosting teams, Cuesta College (681.5 points) and Bakersfield College (600 points).
Leading the way in scoring for the women’s team were Kristina Copeland and Chloe Telian, who each won 2 events. Copeland touched first in the 500 freestyle and the 1650 freestyle, while Telian bested the competition in the 50 butterfly and 100 butterfly.
Also earning wins for the “Lady Crush” were Samantha Rockey (50 breaststroke) and Hannah Carbajal (100 individual medley). The women’s relays were also noteworthy, as each of the following relays finished 2nd in the meet: 200 freestyle relay (Telian, Carbajal, Helen Harris, and Danielle Denton), 200 medley relay (Denton, Rockey, Carbajal, Telian), 400 freestyle relay (Telian, Harris, Arianna Hernandez, Denton).
Clovis’ men’s team finished the meet in 8th place with 245 points, which improved from last year’s 11th placed finish. Santa Monica College topped the team scores with 736.5 points.
The top point scorer for the men was sophomore, Stuart Mallam, who placed in the top 3 in all three breaststroke events. His podium trips earned 2nd in the 200 breaststroke, 3rd in the 50 breaststroke, and 3rd in the 100 breaststroke, all which were recorded as season best times.
Also contributing to the podium total for the men’s team was returning CCCAA All-American, Dante Ramos, who achieved a 2nd placed showing in the 1650 freestyle.
The highest relay performance for the Crush men’s team was recorded in the 200 freestyle relay, in which the team of Ramos, Mallam, Colin Plank, and Daniel Jones managed a respectable 6th placed finish.
Next up for the Crush Swim and Dive teams is a three-way dual meet between conference rivals Fresno City and College of the Sequoias hosted by Fresno City.
Read more about Crush Athletics at gocloviscrush.com
