Friday roundup: CdM boys unite to edge Uni for title (updated)

NOTE: This story has corrected Nick Soedel's all-time county ranking in the 50 free.

Corona del Mar's top-ranked boys swim team showed its resolve at the Pacific Coast League finals at Beckman on Friday.

Despite racing without standout John Kim, the Sea Kings edged No.3 and red-hot University by 1.5 points to claim a fifth consecutive title.

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OCVarsity Hot Shots: Day 2 of swin finals

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The Sea Kings (3:11.40) finished second to University (3:10.42) in the meet-ending 400-yard freestyle relay but captured the B 400 (3:15.64) en route to scoring 484 points. University finished at 482.5.

"Our B relay came through huge at the end. It's depth," Corona del Mar coach Barry O'Dea said of Bruce Bearer, Hayden Leach, freshman Liam Karas and Jake Wyatt. "It's about swimming for the school and the team."

University's B 400 finished second in 3:18.72.

"Sketchy," Corona del Mar junior Jared Namba of the close finish. "I knew it would be close but I knew that the team could pull through. Us winning without John, it shows that we have depth. We don't really rely on one swimmer. ... everyone pulls together."

O'Dea gave special praise to senior Bearer and Leach, both better know for water polo. They were key players on the Sea Kings' Division 2 title team in water polo in the fall.

"It's about seniors sticking it out and doing what it takes for the team," O'Dea said. "I said thank you (to those two). ... Those are two guys that this program owns an awful lot to."

Kim missed the meet because of a sprained ankle, O'Dea said. The coach said he received a doctor's note Wednesday stating that the senior can't swim for two weeks because of the injury – a layoff that has docked Kim for the Division 1 meet.

Kim finished second in the 200 IM and 100 breast at last year's Division 1 finals.

On Friday, the Sea Kings inserted Christian Garkani into the medley relay because of the absence of the Kim. Garkani raced the backstroke and helped the Sea Kings touch third in a season-best 1:36.26. University's team of Justin Chen, Justin Nguyen, Chris Wong and Daniel Brown won in a county-leading 1:36.10.

For the 400 free relay, the Sea Kings used Blake Motal instead of Kim. But with Chris Wong as the anchor, the Trojans had the advantage in the A final. The senior split a 46.05.

O'Dea also was pleased with his boys 500 freestylers. The coach noted that Richard Barden sliced 13.5 seconds off his prelims time to finish 10th in 4:59.44. CdM's Paul Sigler, Wyatt and Leach then placed 2-3-4 behind winner Gen Yamamoto of Irvine.

"I just think the kids found some heart and went for it," O'Dea said.

University's girls claimed a sixth consecutive title and continued to bolster its fleet for a CIF Division 1 title defense next week. The Trojans' Megan Rankin captured the 200 (1:51.12) and 500 (4:49.42) freestyles en route to be selected female swimmer of the meet.

Wong won the 200 free (1:40.37) and fly (50.03) en route to the boys award.

Irvine's Brianna Weinstein captured the 200 individual medley in a school-record 2:02.23 – ninth in county history. Corona del Mar's Brynne Wong blazed a 56.19 in the butterfly - 15h best in county history.

In the South Coast League finals: Aliso Niguel's Melanie Klaren blazed to league records in the 200 (1:46.40) and 500 (4:45.69) freestyles at Capistrano Valley. Klaren's 200 moved her second in county history behind Olympian Sippy Woodhead's 1:45.89 for Mission Viejo in 1982.

The Cal-bound senior also smashed Olympian Kaitlin Sandeno's league record in the 500 with a time that ranks ninth in county history. The host Cougars claimed the boys and girls titles. Mission Viejo's Steven Ewoldt won the 50 free in 20.48.

In the Sunset League finals: Marina's Nick Soedel moved to seventh on the county all-time list in the 50 by clocking a 20.57 at Newport Harbor. Soedel returned to take the 100 free in a county-leading 44.87 – also seventh in county history.

Edison claimed the girls title while Edison and Los Alamitos shared the boys crown.

In the Century League finals: BJ Churnside clocked league records in the 50 (21.09) and 100 (46.27) freestyles at Foothill to help Villa Park claim the title. Esperanza won the girls.

In the Academy League finals: Crean's Lindsey Engel led off the 200 free relay in a county-leading 23.49 at Woollett. The freshman won the 200 free in 1:48.46 -- good for ninth on the all-time county list.

In the Empire League finals: Kennedy's host boys backed up their 11-0 dual-meet season by capturing a second consecutive league crown.

In the Trinity League finals: Host Santa Margarita rolled to boys and girls league titles. JSerra's Casey Mims lowered her league record in the fly (57.05) and also won the breaststroke (1:03.05).

In the Freeway League finals: Sonora's Nikki Chang (4:55.96) and Brennan Jacobsen (4:34.45) shined in the 500 freestyles in their home pool.

In the Sea View League finals: Kendall Brown broke the five-minute barrier in the 500 free (4:58.38) for the first time to help Laguna Hills capture the league crown at El Toro. Dana Hills claimed the boys crown.