It
’s starting to become obvious that it’s not a matter of if this
year’s Live Oak High swim team can win the league title but by how
much. And, how well they’ll do at the proverbial next level — the
Central Coast Section meet.
It’s starting to become obvious that it’s not a matter of if this year’s Live Oak High swim team can win the league title but by how much. And, how well they’ll do at the proverbial next level — the Central Coast Section meet.
On Friday, the Acorn boys and girls swim teams both outclassed another Tri-County Athletic League opponent, rolling over Salinas in a dual meet at Live Oak High.
Live Oak is undefeated in league dual meets heading into the league finale at North Salinas on Friday this week.
Even veteran Live Oak coach Mack Haines can hardly contain his enthusiasm for this year’s squad, which has returned the program to its traditional dominance after several down years.
“We have more swimmers qualified for CCS already than at any time in the last four years,” Haines said. “I’m really excited about some of the boys relay teams, not only for the league championships but also finaling in CCS. And, we have some exciting girls, too.”
Live Oak’s dominance was clear in the victory over a visiting Salinas team as the Acorn boys outpointed the Cowboys 128-57, and the Acorn girls won 116-70.
Leading the way for Live Oak’s boys team were senior David Dunn and sophomore Justin Short.
Both won two individual events and swam on a pair of winning relay teams.
Dunn took first place in the 100 butterfly and the 500 freestyle, while Short won the 100 and 200 freestyle events.
Dunn and Short also led the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams to victory.
They were joined by Shea Coleman in both events, as well as Ryan Gautschi in the 200 freestyle relay and Travis Aviles in the 400 freestyle relay.
Other Acorn boys who won included Gautschi (100 breaststroke and 200 IM), Aviles (50 freestyle) and Cameron Peachy (100 backstroke).
Peachy, Gautschi, Aviles and Dennis Lowe also teamed up to win the 200 medley relay.
For the Acorn girls, Ronni Gautschi was a double winner in the 500 freestyle and 100 backstroke, and Laura Shope (200 freestyle), Laura Melroy (200 IM), Amy Marshall (100 butterfly), Brianna Sennert (500 freestyle), and Susan Suchomel (200 breast-stroke) each won individual events.
Live Oak also won the 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle girls varsity relay events, with Gautschi, Shope, Suchomel, Melroy, Marshall, Sennert and Melissa Poon all participating.
In addition, Live Oak’s Lee Bell won the boys diving competition, while Brianna Stevenson took fourth in the girls event.
The TCAL swimming finals will be held on Saturday, May 8, while the league diving finals will be held on Wednesday, May 5.
Both final events will be held in the Live Oak High pool.
