Swimming and Diving Repeat as Conference Champions

Written by: Sierra College

For the fourth year in a row, both the Sierra College Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving teams brought home the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Big 8 conference title. Held April 18-20 at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, the 2019 Big 8 Swimming Championship meet provided the Wolverines with an opportunity to demonstrate why they are considered to be one of the top swimming programs in Northern California, and they did not disappoint.

The Women’s 200-yard freestyle relay team made up of Emma Hansen, Danielle Brown, Kate Baltzer and Jacquelyn Laskey scored the first Wolverine victory in the opening event of the meet. The relay teams continued to swim strong, ultimately placing first in three of the 5 relay events. Several women had outstanding individual swims including Rory Nuuhiwa who captured the top spot in the 400-yard individual medley and Brown who took first in both the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke events. The Wolverine women swept the 200-yard fly event with Natalie Nobili (first), Rory Nuuhiwa (second) and Laskey (third) finishing atop the podium.

The Men’s team also had an outstanding meet. Daniel Ilin and Joseph Dutra were both strong contributors with Ilin claiming victory in the 200-yard, 500-yard and 1,650-yard freestyle events while Dutra triumphed in the 400-yard individual medley. Dutra (first) together with teammates Jaysen Westlake (second) and Noah Scholar (third) swept the 200-yard breaststroke event. Another imposing trio made up of Gary Woo, Carson Van Farowe and Graden Callahan secured first, second and third respectively in 100-yard backstroke. The men’s relay teams scored big with wins in three of their 5 relay events.

At the end of the weekend, both the Men’s and Women’s teams came away with convincing wins. The Wolverine Women scored a total of 784 points, topping second-place Diablo Valley College by 200 points. The Wolverine Men racked up an impressive 907 points, also beating Diablo Valley who earned 772 points.

Select swimmers from both the Men’s and Women’s teams will compete in the CCCAA Swimming and Diving State Championships the weekend of May 2-4 at De Anza College in Cupertino, CA.