El Camino Real Girls Capture City Swim Title

There was a revolution and a re-crowning at the City Section swim finals Wednesday night at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach. And in both cases it was a Valley-area swim team that figured in the outcome.

In the girls’ team competition, El Camino Real upset defending champion Palisades, 251-239. In the boys’ meet, Palisades retained its title but only after quelling a threat from Birmingham. Palisades outscored the Braves, 248-225.

For the Conquistadores, the victory was greatly aided by double wins from Audrey Rossie and Corine Okamura. Rossie captured the 200-yard individual medley in 2:18.43 and followed that with a win in the 100 butterfly in 59.36.

Okamura took the 100 and 50 freestyle events, the latter in a personal best of 25.48. The sophomore was less than pleased with her 56.01 time in the 100.

“I should be happy but I shaved and tapered for this meet expecting to do better,” she said.

But as the meet wore on Okamura had to be pleased. El Camino Real beat Palisades by such a large margin that the title was decided before the final event.

Reseda freshman Anne Bugarcic highlighted the girls’ meet, lowering her own City record in the 100 breaststroke to 1:07.87.

In the boys’ meet, Birmingham, fueled by Christian Ballard’s wins in the 500 (4:46.91) and 200 (1:47.98) freestyle races, was poised to upset Palisades entering the 400 freestyle relay.

But Palisades’ convincing win in the relay--3:24.61 to Birmingham’s 3:29.51--forced the Braves to settle for second place.

Cleveland junior Eugene Atanasio also was a double winner with victories in the 200 individual medley (2:06.89) and the 100 butterfly (56.25). Cleveland placed third with 151.5 points and El Camino Real was fourth with 122.

In the girls’ meet, San Pedro (139) placed third followed by Birmingham (132) and Kennedy (95).