In girls swimming Wednesday:
In the Pacific Coast League:
No. 6 Corona del Mar 88, Woodbridge 82: Freshman Eva Merrell swam a blazing anchor for the winning 400-yard freestyle relay to lift the host Sea Kings (2-0 in league) to the dramatic victory.
The score was tied, 78-78, going into the final event, but Merrell split a 48.81 seconds anchor to combine with Meagan Popp, Nicole Lin and Eliza Britt for a narrow victory in 3 minutes, 29.82 seconds.
Woodbridge’s relay, anchored by senior Daniela Georges, touched in 3:30.57. Georges split a swift 50.33.
Merrell also lowered her school records set last week in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly by clocking times of 56.02 and 54.07, respectively.
Popp also was a double-winner, touching first in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.31) and 200 individual medley (2:03.84). In the breaststroke, Popp out-touched Isis Choi of Woodbridge by one one-hundredth of a second.
The meet also produced an ultra-close race in the 50 free. Corona del Mar’s Nicole Lin out-touched Woodbridge’s Molly McCance by one-hundredth of a second to win with a 24.59.
While Corona del Mar won close races in the 400 free, 50 free and 100 breaststroke, Woodbridge claimed the medley relay (1:46.44) by just over a tenth of a second.
Georges doubled for unranked Woodbridge with victories in the 200 (1:50.69) and 500 (4:58.45) freestyles. Teammate Kathryn Krolikowski touched second in the 500 in 5:02.08.
Even the leadoffs in the deciding 400 free relay were close. Popp opened with a 52.85, just six one-hundredths ahead of Krolikowski.
In the Trinity League:
Orange Lutheran 87, No. 9 JSerra 82: The visiting Lancers improved to 2-0 in league by posting the upset.
No. 1 Santa Margarita 111, No. 8 Mater Dei 59: Katie McLaughlin won the 50 free in a county-leading 23.27 and took the 200 free in a county-leading 1:47.76 to lead the host Eagles (1-0 in league).
In boys swimming:
No. 4 Santa Margarita 94, No. 8 Mater Dei 76: Grant Shoults, Marc Morizono and Alexander Qu were double-winners to pace the host Eagles (2-0 in league).
