Crescenta Valley High swimming falls to longtime foe Hart

SANTA CLARITA — As they’ve done for nearly three decades, the Crescenta Valley High swim teams faced off with nonleague rival Hart on Friday at the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center.

This year, the rivalry went to Hart, which swept the dual meet, winning 91-79 in the girls’ portion and 111-59 in the boys’ version.

“Thirty years,” said Crescenta Valley girls’ Coach Brent Danna on the Falcons’ rivalry with Hart. “It’s the quality of the facilities, fast pools and an opponent that’s up for us every single time.”

Despite the loss, Crescenta Valley (2-2) picked up a number of quality swims to keep things tight down the stretch in the girls’ portion of the meet.

Highlighted by Heather MacDougall, the Falcons won five of 11 events, including the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relays. MacDougall won four events, taking the 200 individual medley in 1 minute, 52.96 seconds to earn a CIF Southern Section Division II consideration time. She added to her win total with a victory in the 100 backstroke (59.53) and anchored both winning relay teams.

The Falcons’ Iva Icheva won the 100 freestyle in 56.10, and came up just short in the 50 freestyle, finishing in 25.84, .04 of a second behind Hart’s Bryana Waage’s 25.80. Icheva also led off both winning relays for Crescenta Valley.

“To come in here with 12 girls, one being from JV, everyone swimming four events, and being within 11 points is outstanding,” Danna said.

For the Indians (2-0), Erin Niemi doubled in the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly, while Waage doubled in the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke.

In the boys’ portion, the Falcons fell behind early, picking up their first win in the 100 butterfly, as Edward Yi swam a 52.71 consideration time.

Eric Park added a consideration-time victory in the 100 backstroke (56.91) and the relay team of Yi, Ryan Moguel, Park and Eddie Gallehugh won the 400-free relay in 3:21.91 after Hart’s top relay team was disqualified when Kevin Moore left early on the second leg.

“It’s a really good tune up for us for league,” said Hart Coach Steve Neale of the rivalry with Crescenta Valley. “It shows us there’s life outside the Santa Clarita Valley. There’s a very healthy, respectful rapport between these two teams.”

The day’s top swims were turned in by the Indians’ Cole Cogswell, who picked up CIF-SS Division I automatic times with victories in the 50 free (21.30) and 100 free (46.22).

Hart’s Matt Johnson doubled in the 200 free (1:42.40) and 500 free (4:46.35).

Crescenta Valley will now turn its attention back to Pacific League competition with a home meet against Pasadena on Wednesday.

“[This meet] gives us a good idea of where we’re at and what we need to do to get better,” Danna said.