Melissa Bates at sectionals Thursday night Dan Albano/OCVarsity.com

Bates keeps blazing at sectionals

   MISSION VIEJO Orange County swimming showed Thursday night that it can win with youth and experience.
   County teenagers Melissa Bates and Jon Howard joined 32-year-old Jason Lezak in the procession to the top spot on the podium on Day 2 of the California-Nevada Spring Championship at the Marguerite Recreation Center.
   Bates, a Mater Dei sophomore racing for the Tustin-based SOCAL club, collected her first sectional title by claiming the 200-meter breaststroke in a solid 2 minutes, 35.12 seconds.
   Howard, a senior at Dana Hills swimming for the Mission Viejo Nadadores, claimed his second section title by taking the 200 backstroke in 2:07.21.
   Lezak, a two-time Olympian from Irvine, capped the night by capturing the 100 freestyle in 49.56, tying him for the 13th fastest time in the world this year.
   “Age really doesn’t matter,” said Bates, who last month qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. “It’s if you have the desire.”
   Bates said Lezak’s performance at his age shows his desire. “Obviously, he loves the sport,” she said.
   Lezak, the American record holder in the 100, said the meet is his first of five tune-ups en route to this summer’s Olympic Trials. While he trains mostly on his own in Irvine, Lezak said he still enjoys the sport and is motivated by his pursuit of an individual Olympic medal.
   “Why would you want to give up something like this that is so fun?” said Lezak, who now represents Rose Bowl Aquatics in Pasadena.
   “That (100) is right around where I wanted to be. I’m happy.”
   Bates led at each turn and showed her improved finishing skills by holding off Kasey Carlson of the Terrapins by 15 one hundredths of a second.
   The Cal Poly SLO-bound Howard used a strong move off the wall at the 100 to seize control. The 18-year-old said the push felt good but he was more impressed with Lezak’s power. “I’m looking forward to hopefully feeling that kind of power someday,” he said. “That guy is a beast.”

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com