Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving Place Second at RCC Invitational

The men's and women's swimming and diving hosted the two-day Riverside City College Invitational that began on Friday and concluded on Saturday evening. The Tigers placed second for both the men and the women behind the Orange Coast College Pirates.

WOMEN

Freshman Jessie Nelson paced the Tigers with a team-high 67 points, followed by sophomore Lauren Loffelmacher's 64 points. Freshman Anabelle Storar clocked in 60 points, while freshman Grace Deen rounded out the top-four with 46 points.

Nelson finished in the top-three in three of her four events highlighted by a first-place finish in the 400 IM (5:01.02). She reeled in a pair of third place marks coming in the 200 IM (2:21.75) and the 100 Breaststroke (1:14.59).

"After swimming the 200 IM and the 400 IM, I was able to improve the back half of my 400 IM," said Nelson. "I prepare by trying to calm my nerves and telling myself that whatever I do, I can try always to improve on in the next meet and try to do my best today."

Loffelmacher matched Nelson's podium appearances with three as seen in a second-place showing in the 200 Back (2:18.18). She followed with a set of bronze medal finishes coming in the 500 Free (5:35.58) and the 400 IM (5:02.96). Her 400 IM time came in 28 seconds faster than her seed time.

"I really showed myself out today in the 400 IM," said Loffelmacher. "Once I dive into the water, then everything is gone and I'm into race mode."

Storar touched the wall first in the 100 Fly (1:06.51) to earn her first place, while placing second in the 200 Fly (2:29.58) and the 1650 Free (19:37.47). All of her times came in below her seeding. Deen landed in the top-10 in all her events highlighted by a fifth-place mark in the 400 IM (5:29.51).

Sophomore Lindsey Habegger placed third in the 200 Free (2:07.33) to round out the top performers.

Freshman Julia Ashton excelled in the diving events stamped by a third-place finish in the one meter (174.35). She finished with a fourth-place showing in the three meter (161.8).

MEN

Sophomore Tyler LeDet was the top performer with 68 overall points, while freshman Elijah De Vera followed with 65 points. Freshman Gerardo Garcia was the next best swimmer with 56 points, while sophomore Reese Starkey finished with 47 points.

LeDet did not finish below third place in all four of his events after starting the meet with a first-place showing in the 500 Free (4:45.76). He shattered his seed mark by just under 20 seconds. HE followed by placing third in the 100 Back (54.80), the 100 Fly (52.79) and the 100 Free (48.59).

"My technique felt better today even though I am more tired," said LeDet. "I just try to clear my head and imagine myself swimming the race. I picture everything in my head and I can do it is good as when I am in my race."

De Vera racked up a trio of second place finishes coming in the 50 Free (21.47), the 100 Fly (52.24) and the 100 Free (47.76). Garcia followed with a pair of silver medals as well coming in the 200 Fly (2:00.90) and the 400 IM (4:27.77). His 400 IM time was over 30 seconds below his seeding mark.

Starkey placed fourth in the 400 IM (4:45.68) to highlight his four events. He capped his day with a fifth-place mark in the 200 Breaststroke (2:25.57).

The men snapped the tape in the 200 Free Relay (1:29.90) and the 800 Free Relay (7:14.97) as well.