'Baler Steven Shattuck swims the butterfly portion of the 200-yard IM at the Tri-County Athletic League Finals Saturday in Salinas at Alvarez High School.
Last year at the Tri-County Athletic League Finals, when the San Benito girls swimming team took first place in 10 of the 12 events but finished second overall to Salinas, it was clear that a lack of depth was the problem.
But after finishing the regular season undefeated, San Benito dominated the TCAL Finals Saturday, compiling 405 points to beat second-place Salinas (359) rather resoundingly.
The Lady 'Balers took first in nine of the 12 events this year, but had that much-needed depth - where the TCALs are essentially won or lost - to assure a repeat of last year was not in the storyline.
"They were amazing. Unbelievable," coach Christine Schafer said.
What was perhaps even more unbelievable was the boys team.
Although they weren't able to defend last year's TCAL title, few figured they'd even be in the discussion toward a first-place finish at the end of the day. Nevertheless, the 'Baler boys pushed Salinas to the brink, even tying the Cowboys late in the meet, before taking second place by a 311-268 margin.
"I think they took everybody by surprise," Schafer said. "They gave Salinas such a run for their money, I think they pushed Salinas to a better race. They were fantastic."
San Benito pocketed some points on Wednesday too, when Jennifer Raine (309.30), Andrew Yacovone (312.10) and Morris Stevens (295) qualified to this weekend's Central Coast Section meet at Stanford University in the diving competition.
Although pleased, Schafer said she wasn't surprised by the dive team's sudden splash. The team, coached by Leif Nordstrom and made up of first-year divers, has been hitting the pool on Saturday's for extra practice sessions and even received some extra guidance from Jason Andrade, a former 'Baler who finished seventh in the CCS last year.
The team's improvement was not limited to just the diving portion, though. San Benito saw times sink across the board, including a seven-second improvement from Ryan Whiteside in the 200 free. Whiteside clocked a 1:58.20 to finish fourth, while teammate Brandon Drogemuller's 1:46.92 was tops at TCALs.
Drogemuller also recorded a first-place finish in the 500 free (4:46.44) as well.
Jordan Schafer showed similar improvement in the 100 back, as he bested his previous time by six seconds after taking second in 1:02.06 on Saturday.
"I left nothing on the table," said Schafer, who had to lie down after his race and use an asthma inhaler to catch his breath. "I didn't expect that at all. I expected fourth, maybe fifth. I was not expecting that."
Despite seemingly little competition, sophomore Lady 'Baler Demi Gatrell took first in the 100 breast by six seconds, posting a 1:10.91 and falling just three-tenths of a second short of recording a personal best time.
She'll be one of seven Lady 'Balers who will make the trip to Stanford this weekend.
"I should do well at CCS," Gatrell said. "If I have someone to go for, coach (Schafer) said I should knock off a couple more seconds."
Jesse Drogemuller in the 200 (2:04.22) and 500 free (5:33.35), Lacey Larson in the 200 free (2:02.00), and the boys medley relay (1:46.74) all qualified to the CCS meet from Saturday. The boys team will also send seven individuals to the CCS meet.
"Of course, we planned it and we tapered them," Schafer said. "But at the end of the day, they were the ones who swam and they're the ones who went out and delivered."
200 Medley Relay - 2, San Benito, 1:46.74. 200 Free - 1, B. Drogemuller, 1:46.92; 4, R. Whiteside, 1:58.20; 6, K. Reuther, 1:59.36; 10, C. Slater, 2:03.42. 200 IM - 3, S. Shattuck, 2:13.42; 7, N. Angulo, 2:25.54; 10, J. Richards, 2:33.30; 11, M. Skiver, 2:41.84. 50 Free - 4, M. McCullough, 23.88; 6, J. Schafer, 24.39; 9, J. McIntyre, 25.36; 15, M. Stevens, 27.21. One Meter Diving - 2, A. Yacovone, 312.10; 4, M. Stevens, 295.00; 7, J. Vargas, 224.10. 100 Fly - 12, N. Angulo, 1:05.76; 14, E. Nicolaysen, 1:13.27. 100 Free - 4, M. McCullough, 51.90; 6, S. Forbush, 54.61; 7, C. Slater, 54.70; 12, A. Yacovone, 56.76. 500 Free - 1, B. Drogemuller, 4:46.44; 2, K. Reuther, 5:22.43; 6, R. Whiteside, 5:27.59; 12, Ty. Agan, 6:31.25. 200 Free Relay - 4, San Benito, 1:38.82. 100 Back - 2, J. Schafer, 1:02.06; 9, J. Richards, 1:08.65; 13, J. Vargas, 1:18.74; 14, Tr. Agan, 1:22.07. 100 Breast, 3, S. Shattuck, 1:05.23; 10. S. Forbush, 1:16.50; 11, M. Skiver, 1:17.11.
200 Medley Relay - 2, San Benito, 2:03.73. 200 Free - 1, L. Larson, 2:02.00; 3, J. Drogemuller, 2:04.22; 4, M. Pelletier, 2:12.30; 10, L. Lango, 2:19.77; 13, A. Dickson, 2:25.34; 16, J. Hernandez, 2:34.79. 200 IM - 1, C. Stotler, 2:23.35; 2, M. Geary, 2:23.64; 6, M. Zazaya, 2:40.68; 14, A. Estep, 3:05.60. 50 Free - 1, K. Buzzetta, 26.41; 8, M. Hernandez, 29.01; 9, C. Bucaloy, 29.14; 11, S. Kelso, 29.55. One Meter Diving - 3, J. Raine, 309.30; 7, K. Larson, 241.50; 9, T. Hill, 230.65. 100 Fly - 1, S. Reed, 59.16; 4, M. Geary, 1:05.64; 5, L. Sutton, 1:10.92; 8, K. Larson, 1:18.82. 100 Free - 1, D. Gatrell, 55.79; 3, K. Buzzetta, 57.86; 8, C. Bucaloy, 1:04.26; 9, S. Kelso, 1:04.66. 500 Free - 2, L. Larson, 5:26.02; 3, C. Stotler, 5:29.66; 4, J. Drogemuller, 5:33.35; 6, M. Zazaya, 6:03.07. 200 Free Relay - 1, San Benito, 1:41.62. 100 Back - 1, S. Reed, 59.84; 8, M. Pelletier, 1:13.68; 9, L. Lango, 1:14.74; 10, A. Whorley, 1:17.76; 13, L. Sutton, 1:18.53. 100 Breast - 1, D. Gatrell, 1:10.91; 5, K. Schaaphok, 1:22.00; 8, A. Dickson, 1:26.39; 12, R. Stern, 1:30.28. 400 Free Relay - 1, San Benito, 3:50.90.
CCS FINALS
The Central Coast Section Prelims will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Stanford University.
Only the top 16 advance to the CCS Finals on Saturday. On Saturday, diving will begin at 9 a.m., while the finals will commence at 11 a.m.
San Benito will send 17 swimmers to CCS, including Megan Geary, Lacey Larson, Celina Stotler, Jessie Drogemuller, Demi Gatrell, Katie Buzzetta, Shelli Reed, Matt McCullough, Kyle Reuther, Clayton Slater, Jordan Schafer, Ryan Whiteside, Steven Shattuck, Brandon Drogemuller, Andrew Yacovone, Morris Stevens and Jennifer Raine.
Andrew Matheson Andrew Matheson is a sports writer for South Valley Newspapers. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 334 or at amatheson@svnewspapers.com.
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