Diaz Wins Bronze, Relay Team Breaks Record during Opening Day of WSC Championships
Madalena Diaz finished third in the women's 500 yard freestyle, and the Bulldogs broke a team relay record during opening day of the Western State Conference Swimming Championships on Thursday. The Bulldogs sit in sixth place with 81 points out of 10 teams after the first of three days of competition.
Diaz, a Pioneer Valley High School graduate, shaved seven seconds off her previous-best time to finish third in 5:25.41. Diaz later teamed up with Rebecca Gonzalez, Alexandria Kwong and Brannica Casabar, all freshmen, to place third in the 400 yard medley relay team. The four broke the school record with a time of 4:25.87.
In the women's 200 yard individual medley, Casabar finished ninth overall with a time of 2:37. Gonzalez placed tenth in 2:37.97, and Nikki Gurgiolo came in 14th in 2:41.64.
Overall, defending champion Santa Barbara City College sits in first with 222 points after the first day. Ventura is second with 174 points, followed by Cuesta with 92, College of the Canyons with 88 and L.A. Pierce with 85. L.A. Valley, Bakersfield, Citrus and Santa Monica trail Hancock in the standings.
The WSC Championships continue Friday morning with the preliminary heats. The finals will be in the evening. Diaz (400 IM), Kwong (100 butterfly) and Gonzalez (100 breaststroke) will be in action. All three own one of the fastest qualifying times in their individual events.