The thick stack of green CIF cards in the hand of Cypress boys swimming coach Darren Sandvig on Wednesday told part of the story.
The Centurions’ racing at the Empire League prelims at Kennedy advanced the script.
The league’s undefeated dual-meet champion moved into position to claim the outright league crown with a strong showing that could extend into the CIF-SS Division 3 meet next week.
Cypress’ well-rounded and deep fleet posted 19 CIF-SS consideration qualifying times and two automatic standards. That haul, along with the relays, could make the Centurions contenders at CIF.
“I think we have a good chance,” Sandvig said, “because of how many of these (cards) I have.”
In a testament to their depth, the Centurions featured one top qualifier for Friday’s finals. William Nguyen grabbed the top seed in the 200-yard free with an automatic CIF time of 1 minute, 49.20 seconds. Cypress’ Luis Malpica grabbed the other automatic cut with a 55.44 in the butterfly, which qualified behind Pacifica’s Aaron Bauer (55.03) and Kennedy’s Rodrigo Baca (55.13).
Pacific Coast League boys prelims:
University’s Will Hofstadter became the first county boy this season to break 21 seconds in the 50 free with a 20.99 at Woollett Aquatics Center.
Sunset League prelims:
Edison’s Thomas Smith lowered his league record in the 100 back to 48.82 at Golden West College, while Nicqueline Rettberg of Los Alamitos qualified first in the 500 free with a 4:56.09.
