Both the UCSD men’s and women’s swim teams got off to a strong start at the 2002 Triton Invitational, their first big meet of the season, at UCSD’s Canyonview Pool on Oct. 26.
Competing in the men’s division were UC Irvine, UCSD and Cal State Northridge. The Triton men came in second with 779 points behind UC Irvine with 1,382 points.
Two additional teams, the University of San Diego and club team Heartland Swim Association competed in the women’s division. The UCSD women earned 603.5 points, finishing in a close third behind USD’s 647.5 points. UC Irvine’s women were the victors with 933.5 points.
Two Tritons who were keys to the men’s success were senior co-captain Dagart Allison and sophomore Michael Baier. Allison won the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 1:48.32 and came in second in the 200 backstroke (2:00.43). Baier took first place in the 100 freestyle (48.77) and second place in the 200 individual medley (1:59.70).
Three of the four UCSD men’s relay teams came in second in their events: the 200 freestyle relay (Tanner Sheldon, Steve Judy, Mark Tate, Danny Behrens) in a time of 1:28.28, the 400 medley relay (Allison, Jesse Ford, Sheldon, Behrens) in a time of 3:44.92, and the 400 freestyle relay (Baier, Brady Gosling, Behrens, Sheldon) in a time of 3:24.25.
On the women’s side, Triton sophomore Heather Hearon had an impressive day with a first place in the 50 freestyle (25.43) and a fourth place in the 100 freestyle (55.11). Other notable swims were senior co-captain Jennifer Watanabe’s second place in the 200 individual medley (2:12.23) and sophomore Rosanna Delurgio’s second place in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:24.18, a National Collegiate Athletic Association automatic qualification time.
Gaining significant points for UCSD on the women’s side, Watanabe, Delurgio, Francis Tran and Hearon came in second place in the 400 medley relay, swimming a 4:05.19.
With the first official meet of the season behind them, both the men’s and women’s teams gear up for several months of intense training and competition. UCSD head coach Scott McGihon has high hopes for the 2002-03 season.
“”I expect the men’s team to move from 13th into the top 10, and the women’s team to move into the top three,”” said McGihon, predicting the team’s rankings in NCAA Division II.
Competition in Division II gets tougher every year. The time standards for the NCAA meet are faster this season, making it more difficult to qualify. McGihon, however, expects the team to do well.
Co-captains Allison and senior Luca Brammer will lead the men, while co-captains Watanabe and junior Carolyn Kwok will head the women. Aside from these leaders, an important asset to the Tritons is a group of talented incoming swimmers.
“”We have a strong group of rookies on both squads,”” McGihon said. “”Standout rookie women include Sarah Grant and Sophie Levy. Standout rookie men include freshman Amadeus Regucera, freshman Jason Narlock, junior Tanner Sheldon and junior Steve Judy.””
With these newcomers assisting the experienced UCSD swimmers and divers from last year’s teams, both the men and the women anticipate a successful season. The Triton men’s and women’s diving teams will next compete at the USC Diving Invitational from Nov. 7 through Nov. 9, while the swim teams will attend the Cal Baptist Relays in Riverside on Nov. 9.
