LOS ALAMITOS – Edison’s fourth-ranked girls swimming team raced efficiently to its destination Tuesday, creating few waves in its Sunset League title defense.
Los Alamitos’ unranked boys stirred up the league waters but also reached their desired finish.
The final day of the Sunset dual-meet season offered varying styles and intriguing results at Los Alamitos. Edison’s girls finished 5-0 by defeating the No. 10 Griffins, 93.5-76.5, in a clash of undefeated teams in league. Los Alamitos’ unranked boys posted one of the biggest upsets of the spring, sinking No. 6 Edison, 88-82.
“It’s all chaos,” Edison coach Diggy Riley said of the boys league race, which saw defending champion Edison fall to 4-1, while Los Alamitos’ young and talented boys improved to 3-1-1.
Riley spoke knowing that Fountain Valley’s boys upset No. 10 Newport Harbor, 95-74, on Tuesday to also improve to 3-1-1. The Barons and Griffins tied in their meet and will both have momentum going into next week’s league finals at Golden West College.
“We felt confident,” said Los Alamitos junior Adam Lott, who teamed with Paul Carey, Brandon Toland and George McHenry to capture the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1 minute, 30.51 seconds. “We didn’t have anything to lose.”
The Griffins, featuring only two seniors, got a sweep in the 50 (22.26) and 100 (48.88) freestyles from Carey, a junior.
The 50 free proved critical. Carey and Lott (22.43) finished first-second and the Griffins won the event, 12-4, to open their first lead, 32-30. Los Alamitos’ Asael Marvel and Derek Fordham then finished 1-2 in the 100 butterfly and Carey and Lott repeated another first-second in the 100 free for a 53-41 advantage.
The Griffins’ trio of Marvel, Bernard Mendez and Jack Hamamoto kept the momentum going in the 500 free, placing 2-3-4 behind winner Jonathan Bramm of Edison (4:46.56) to steal the event, 9-7. After Los Alamitos won the 200 free relay, it led, 70-54. By the time 400 free relay arrived, the Griffins only needed a safe race to seal the upset.
Edison raced without Zach Nelson (school activity) but Los Alamitos’ depth and freestylers impressed.
“You guys raced,” Los Alamitos coach Brent Danna told his swimmers. “(League finals) is going to be one fun meet.”
Edison’s Thomas Smith finished the league dual-meet season undefeated by capturing the 200 free (1:42.91) and backstroke (50.41) and also led off a winning 400 free relay with a swift 46.25, just off his lifetime-best 46.1.
Taylor Newton and Nora Deleske each won twice for Edison’s girls. Newton swept the 50 (24.93) and 100 (53.82) freestyles while Deleske claimed her signature 200 individual medley (2:06.26) and breaststroke (1:05.40). The duo also combined with Samantha Le and Katie Lightle to take the 400 free in 3:36.20, a strong time considering the girls are still training hard for CIF.
“We’re excited to see (what) we’re going to go (at CIF),” Deleske said.
Edison’s girls will attempt to defend their league title next week but also are aiming to repeat a third-place finish in Division 1 at CIF. Newton said the competition, with defending champion Santa Margarita, will be tough but pushes the Chargers.
“I love swimming (against) them,” she said of Santa Margarita.
Los Alamitos’ Nicqueline Rettberg swept the 200 and 500 freestyles.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
