COMMUNITY COLLEGES : OCC Men, Women Swimmers Set Records at Championships

The Orange Coast College men’s swim team set a national record and two state marks, and the women’s team also set a state record during the second day of competition at the state swimming championships Friday at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach.

The Orange Coast men’s 200 medley relay team of brothers Bill and Ken Nickel, Jason Bourland and Chas Julson set a national record of 1 minute 34.15 seconds. The team broke the mark of 1:35.09 set last year by Bakersfield.

OCC also set a state record with its 800 freestyle relay with a time of 6:47.00. The team is made up of Bourland, Michael Pranhm, Steve Merciler and Andreeas Roestenberg.

Roestenberg set a state record in the 200 freestyle in his preliminary heat in 1:39.32. He later won the event in 1:39.55.

Orange Coast is well on its way to its second consecutive title with a total of 535 points. Golden West (349) is second and Diablo Valley (297) third.

The OCC women’s 400 freestyle relay team set a state record as well. Jenny Sheldon, Kristen Welch, Michelle Quigley and Meg Reilly swam a 3:35.59 to eclipse the mark of 3:36.69 set last year by Diablo Valley.

The OCC women are in first place as well with 297 points.