JUNIOR COLLEGE STATE SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS : Ventura, Valley Buoyed by Sizable Contingents

Three area schools will be represented at the junior college state swimming and diving championships that will run today through Saturday at Ohlone College in Fremont.

Ventura College will have the largest contingent with seven individual qualifiers and eight relay teams, followed by Valley with six individuals and four relay teams. Canyons will have one swimmer in three events.

The Ventura men are led by sophomores Doug Colby (100 and 200 backstroke, 200 medley), John Fetter (200 breaststroke) and diver Tannon Brown (one- and three-meter boards).

Sophomore Lisa Turner and Kristen Philpott head the Ventura women. Turner, the Western State Conference swimmer of the year, will swim the 50 and 100 breast and the 100 medley, and Philpott will compete in the 50 and 100 butterfly and the 50 back.

Freshmen Lisa Elder (100 and 200 freestyle, 100 medley) and Mary McDonough (500 free) also will swim for the Pirates, who qualified four relay teams in each of the men’s and women’s competition.

“Colby and Turner are in a position to compete for titles,” said Larry Baratte, Ventura coach. “Philpott has a good chance in the 50 fly. . . . Tanner has a legitimate shot to win both boards.”

For Valley, Raymond Akopyan (400 medley) and Danny Sullivan (100 free) will participate in the men’s races. The women will count on Ann Choi (200 medley, 500 free), Shanyn Myers (50 fly), Spring Langford (50 and 100 breast) and Andrea Loperena (50 and 100 breast) to challenge for a medal.

The Monarchs also will compete in three men’s relay events and one in the women’s competition.

Versatile Tracy Breuer will represent Canyons in the 100 fly, 100 breast and 200 medley. She is the first Cougar swimmer to qualify in three events for the state championships.

“We are really excited about it,” said Diana Stanich, Canyons coach.