Santa Margarita’s No. 1 girls swim team edged No. 2 Tesoro to defend its title at the Capistrano Valley Relays on Saturday.
Corona del Mar’s second-ranked boys had a bit easier path in its title defense at the early-season relay meet.
Santa Margarita’s girls led Tesoro, 86-84, going into the meet-ending 200-yard medley relay and captured the race in a meet-record 1 minute, 46.98 seconds to clinch the meet victory with 104 points.
The Eagles’ medley relay featured Andrea Laliena, Isabelle Odgers, Katie McLaughlin and Samantha Shelton.
Tesoro’s girls finished with 96 points. The Titans play host to Santa Margarita on Thursday.
Santa Margarita and Tesoro each won two relays while third-place Crean Lutheran (56 points) won three, including the 300 free (2:25.94) and 400 free (3;28.83) in meet records.
McLaughlin blazed a 48.63 anchor in the 400 free relay as the Eagles touched in 3:29.47, also under the meet record. In the boys 400 free, Grant Shouts of Santa Margarita led off in a quick 45.64
Corona del Mar’s boys won three relays, including the 200 medley in a meet-record 1:35.52, en route to scoring 98 points. Corona del Mar’s medley consisted of Ethan Archer, Tyler Lin, Justin Hanson and Jon Polos.
The Sea Kings’ 400 individual medley also won in a meet-record 3:28.61.
Santa Margarita’s boys finished second with 82 points. Dana Hills won the 200 butterfly in a meet-record 1:35.66 and also claimed the 400 free in a school-record 3:08.16.
At the Mt. SAC Winterfest:
Edison’s Thomas Smith won the 100 back in a meet and school-record 48.76 to help lead the Chargers to the team title. Smith’s lifetime-best time ranks fourth in county history.
Edison’s Nora Deleske captured the 100 breast in 1:04.32 to help Edison’s girls finish second to Glendora.
At the Kennedy Invitational:
Woodbridge’s boys and girls swept team titles.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
