Engel hopes to add her name to elite list

The meet records at the Foothill Swim Games read like a who's who of Orange County aquatics.

Darren Ward of Sonora. Aaron Peirsol of Newport Harbor. Amanda Beard of Irvine. Kaitlin Sandeno of El Toro. Michael Cavic of Tustin. Courtney Cashion of Irvine. And the list goes on.

If Thursday's girls prelims at Foothill were any indication, Crean Lutheran sprinter Lindsey Engel might add her name to the list during Saturday's finals.

Engel scorched her 50-yard freestyle in an Orange County-leading 23.76 seconds, about two-tenths of a second off Tara Thomas' 2007 meet standard of 23.52.

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Foothill Swim Games: Girls prelims results

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Engel's top-qualifying time grabbed the county-lead by a mere one one-hundredth of a second from JSerra's Katie McLaughlin (23.77).

The Orange County Waves club swimmer also qualified first in the 200 freestyle in a swift 1:50.90. Engel will need a significant drop — 11/2 seconds — to match Amy Shaw's 1989 meet record of 1:49.40.

Engel split the 100 in 52.60.

Beckman freshman Natalie Manders qualified first in the 200 individual medley (2:13.44) and 100 breaststroke (1:08.67).

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com