Santa Margarita cruises to victories over Mater Dei

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA - Santa Margarita's pre-meet projections had the Eagles posting a pair of narrow victories against Mater Dei in boys and girls swimming Thursday.

The forecast proved correct on the winning teams, but thanks to several blistering times from host Santa Margarita, the point difference wasn't close.

The third-ranked Eagles' up-and-coming girls team received more stellar racing from its freshmen en route to a 98-72 victory against the No. 5 Monarchs in a Trinity League showdown.

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OCVarsity Hot Shots from Thursday's swim meet

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And Santa Margarita's boys, ranked No. 8 in the county, capped their first undefeated dual-meet season with a 97-73 triumph.

"We are really thrilled but know league is what will determine who the league champion is," Santa Margarita co-coach Ron Blanc said.

Santa Margarita will play host to the league prelims and finals next week. If Thursday was an indication, the Eagles could emerge with the titles.

Santa Margarita's girls (7-1, 5-0) meet the automatic Division 1 qualifying standard in eight events, including the three relays.

The Eagles' freshmen led the way. Lizzie Devitt captured the 200-yard freestyle (1 minute, 54.75 seconds) and 500 free (5:05.05). Raquel Remick touched first in the fly in 58.52 while Jax Shoults took the backstroke in 58.41.

Junior Megan Gehrich clocked a school-record 2:07.25 in winning the 200 individual medley.

The Eagles also showed depth. Freshman Haley Wan rallied to touch second in the 200 IM in 2:09.57. Gehrich was the runner-up in the 500 in 5:08.42.

Blanc said the Eagles' projected a 12-point victory for their girls. The margin of victory ended up to be 26.

"I think this is the best (girls) team we've had," he said.

The boys score was tied, 47-47, after the 100 free. But Santa Margarita (8-0, 5-0) responded by finishing first-second in the 500 free, first-second in the 200 free relay and gold-silver in the 100 backstroke to break open the meet.

Freshman Patrick Early claimed the 500 free in 4:51.55, raced on the winning 200 free relay (1:31.93) and touched first in the backstroke (57.30).

The Eagles projected only a four-point victory against Mater Dei but posted a 24-point triumph.

Mater Dei's Dylan Payne impressed by capturing the 50 free (21.46) and 100 breaststroke (1:00.33, third in county).