Swimming & Diving Begins Season at Golden West Invitational

The Riverside City College men's and women's swimming & diving programs kicked of their 2023 campaign on the road by participating in the Golden West Invitational last Friday. The women had a solid day with four swimmers earning over 20 or more points to haul in a second place finish, while the men had two swimmers clock in 20 or more points leading to a fourth place finish.

WOMEN

The women finished second overall behind the Orange Coast College Pirates. The Pirates earned 371 points, while the Tigers earned 304 points. Palomar came in third with 221 points.

Leading the charge was sophomore Lauren Loffelmacher who finished top two in every event she participated. Her efforts were highlighted by two first place finishes coming in the 200 IM (2:23.23) and the 50 Back (33.05). Both marks were two second better than her seed time. She capped her day with a second-place finish in the 100 Fly (1:08.35).

Freshman Grace Deen was the next-best performer highlighted by a pair of bronze medal finishes coming in the 100 Fly (1:11.93) and the 200 IM (2:37.63).

Freshman Annabella Storar placed second overall in the 200 IM (2:30.00), while freshman Jessie Nelson clocked a second-place finish in the 50 Breaststroke (34.14). She was two seconds faster than her seed time.

Freshman Jaeden Johnson finished third overall in the 100 IM (1:12.88), coming in at approximately 24 seconds better than her seeding mark. Freshman Kennedy Guidizi rounded out the top finishes for Riverside with a silver medal showing in the 50 Back (34.41).

MEN

The men were pushed off the podium by a mere 16 points. Orange Coast placed first overall, followed by Golden West and Palomar.

Freshman duo Elijah De Vera and Tyler LeDet each scored a team high 24 points.

LeDet had the highest finish for the Tigers after placing second in the 200 IM (2:20.95), He followed with a fifth-place finish in the 100 Back (56.53), followed by a sixth-place finish in the 100 Free (50.69). De Vera followed with two third place finishes coming in the 50 Free (22.08) and the 100 Free (49.74).

Freshman Nathan Dulkis earned a third-place finish in the 50 Free (25.27) to round out the top finishers.