LONG BEACH Los Alamitos’ girls swim team felt drained Friday as it raced for the third time in as many days. The upbeat music at the 57th Klaus Barth Wilson Invitational provided a jolt, but the ninth-ranked Griffins needed something more.
They didn’t have to look far for motivation.
“I just want to win for my team,” junior Amy Griffin said. “I know these girls are fighting for me, so I want to do my part and fight for them, especially (in) my relays.”
Los Alamitos’ unity paid off in dramatic fashion at the Belmont Plaza outdoor pool.
The Griffins won the meet-ending 400-yard freestyle relay in Lane 1 and rallied from an eight-point deficit against Long Beach Poly entering the race to capture the meet for the fourth consecutive season.
Los Alamitos’ all-junior 400 relay of Alyson Mendez, Kara Gilbert, Griffin and Sharon Banh touched in 3 minutes, 41.40 seconds to cap the Griffins’ scoring at 109 points. The tally was just enough to edge Long Beach Poly, which finished with 107 points after a fifth-place touch in the 400 free.
Related: Top 3 leaderboard from Klaus Barth
Los Alamitos’ victory punctuated its busy week. The team lifted weights Thursday morning and raced at Edison that afternoon. They had prelims for the Klaus meet on Wednesday.
Banh said the Griffins danced a bit Friday but raced through fatigue.
“Got to do it for the team,” said Banh, who anchored the 400. “(We’re) really tired. It’s been a long week, but we’re done and got through it.”
Los Alamitos sophomore Sydney Rouse claimed the county’s lone individual title, touching first in the 200 individual medley in 2:09.40. She won twice at Edison and clocked a near-best time.
“It’s (been) really exhausting this week,” she said, “(but) today was really, really fun.”
The Los Alamitos boys (84.5) finished a distant second in the team race to Peninsula (147) but captured the 200 free relay. Brandon Toland, Adam Lott, George McHenry and Paul Carey combined for a 1:29.86.
“They’re gassed and they’re still going pretty good times,” Los Alamitos coach Brent Danna said.
Marina’s Gareth Svanda finished second in the butterfly with a lifetime-best 52.48.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
