After Improved Times SMC's Swim Team Goes Down to LAVC

Gusty winds churned the blue waters of the Santa Monica College swimming pool on April 8, as the Corsair men's and women's swim team went up against Los Angeles Valley College Monarchs on an otherwise sunny Friday afternoon.

In the first part of the meet, SMC swimmer Nik Vokshoori was disqualified for an illegal move in the 400-medley relay.

Among others in the men's team, freshman Bobby Styles won both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving competitions, and his coach expects him to qualify for the state championship.

Jim Parrish won the 1000-yard freestyle with a time of just 11:10.26, and also won the 200-yard individual medley in 2:13.26.Juan Ramos won the 500 yard freestyle in 5:31.29. And Vivek Mulaji won the 200 yard backstroke in 2:34.26.

For the women, Denise Tran won the 200-yard individual medley in 20:26.03. Tran also went on to win the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:05.59. Emily Landberg earned a win in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:10.47. Sophomore Wendy Bartos was the only SMC diver competing that day, and placed second in the meet.

Although the breeze added a light chill to the meet, divers from both SMC and LAVC did not seem in the least deterred from giving their best.

SMC Assistant Coach, Erik Matheson, was also happy with the team's effort. "They really pulled through. I'm really happy with the average swimmers, who did more than expected in their times and placing."

Aside from this swim meet being the last one at home for SMC (one invitational and one conference now left before the state championships), going up against the Monarchs was particularly interesting in this relay due to the arrival of a new coach on LA Valley's swim team. "Our biggest problem so far is the change of staff during the season, a former coach from SMC now plays against us for LAVC," said Contarsy.

At the end of the meet, LAVC would eventually take victory over SMC, with SMC's men's team losing by six points (99 to 105) and LAVC's Women's team earning roughly 130 points over SMC's 75.