Riverside Swimming & Diving Routs Conference Competition for Sixth Dual Victory of the Season

The Riverside City College swimming and diving program has been on an absolute teat this season by hauling in five-consecutive dual victories. The Tigers looked to push that streak to six-consecutive by competing in the second Orange Empire Conference (OEC) invitational of the season. Riverside had no issue as the men placed first by accumulating 804 points, while the women followed with a first-place showing after amassing 582 points.

It was a landslide victory for the men as they earned 322 points more than the second-place finishing Golden West College. Saddleback finished in third place with a mark of 364 points.

Leading the way for the men was freshman Erick Fathoni by totaling 60 points. He landed atop the podium in the 50 Free (21.66), 100 Breaststroke (59.14), and the 200 Breaststroke (2:12.15). His finishing times in the 50 Free and the 100 Breastroke came in under his seedtime.

Sophomore Javier Bernal earned a pair of first-place finishes to amass 54 points. He reigned supreme in the 200 Fly (1:58.32) and the 100 Fly (54.33). Freshman Zack Thelwell matched Bernal's two gold medal finishes with top marks in the 100 Free (47.82) and the 200 Free (1:47.42).

Freshman Aidan Mojica placed first in the 200 Back (2:04.01). Freshman diver Matthew Carney chipped in 37 points with a first place finish in the one meter (168.16) and a second place in the three meter (189.6)

The women were in a closer match, but defeated second-place finisher Orange Coast College by 90 points. They finished with 492 points, while Saddleback placed third with 364 points.

Freshman Liz Bouffort was the top point getter with 50. She hauled in two second-place finishes coming in the 100 Back (1:07.05) and the 100 Free (55.64). Furtermore, she placed third in the 50 Free (26.06).

Freshman Victoria Hernandez earned 49 points with a pair of second place finishes in the 200 Fly (2:25.57) and the 500 Free (5:45.41), while Emelia Bennett and Hannah Beth Cain racked up 42 points each. Bennet placed third in the 400 IM (5:03.20), while Cain earned a trio of fifth-place marks. Her best finish was in the 100 Fly (1:07.03) as she shaved off three second from her seedtime.

Riverside will continue action at home on Friday, April 5 as they host the RCC Invitational beginning at 11 a.m.