Canyons Swim Opens WSC Season

The College of the Canyons men's and women's swim teams combined to win five events at the first Western State Conference (WSC) meet of the season held Saturday, March 4, at the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center.

Five different Cougars finished first in their respective events, at a meet which also featured swimmers from Santa Barbara City College, Los Angeles Valley College, Bakersfield College and Santa Monica College.

COC's men's team placed third with 311 points to trail second place Bakersfield (334) and leader LAVC (367).

Canyons fared particularly well in the sprints with freshman Tyler Tran winning the 50-yard freestyle (22.48), sophomore William Karren taking first in the 100-yard butterfly (55.64) and Jessie Kim outpacing the field in the 100-yard backstroke (54.81).

Kim also finished second in the 200-yard individual medley (2:06.98) and joined Alex Cardia, Karren and Tran to claim second in the 200-yard medley relay (1:43.28).

Melvin Martinez was third in the 100-yard backstroke at 1:00.19.
The women's team was fifth on the day but also featured a number of strong finishes.

COC freshman Antoinette Peterson won the 100-yard butterfly (1:08.23) and Jennifer Yamauchi took first in the 100-yard backstroke (1:05.88).

Brooke Coffey was a second place finisher in the 50-yard freestyle (26.90) and fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:19.60).

Yamauchi also earned second place in the 100-yard freestyle (58.11). Peterson was third in the 50-yard freestyle (27.34).

The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Yamauchi, Peterson, Melissa Rainbird and Coffey posted a second place time of 1:49.81.

Canyons will get back in the pool at the two-day Cuesta College Invitational being held March 10-11 in San Luis Obispo.