Crescenta Valley’s Marathon Winner

OK, 11 hours might be a little long for a swim meet, but when it’s the Royal Invitational, even the most hardened coaches see the benefit.

Annually the best late-season invitational in the region and perhaps in Southern California, Saturday’s version at Rancho Simi Community Pool ran longer than usual but most competitors didn’t seem to mind.

Take for example, Crescenta Valley sophomore Kenny Carpenter. He went home for two hours between victories in the 200-yard medley relay and the 100 butterfly.

“It is a strain,” he said. “But it’s worth it.”

The Falcons, behind Carpenter and West Point-bound Steve Kim, won the boys’ title for the fourth consecutive year with 212 points, beating runner-up Westlake by 34 points.

Louisville used a late charge by Kim Feig, who won the 100 backstroke in 58.96, and a third-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay to win the girls’ title with 134 points, defeating Durango (Nevada) by four points. The Royals won the 200 medley relay to open the meet.

The invitational included more than 1,300 swimmers and divers from 39 schools.

“This meet always gives us a great test going toward [the Southern Section meet],” Falcon Coach Pete Loporchio said. “It shows how close we are.”

Crescenta Valley, which should battle Loyola, El Dorado and possibly Hart for the Southern Section Division II title next month, received strong performances by Carpenter and Kim.

Carpenter broke his school record in the 100 butterfly in 51.85 and won the 100 backstroke in 53.47, another school mark.

Kim swam a season-best 1:44.97 in the 200 freestyle, defeating Scott Weaver of Durango by more than four seconds, and added an 59.04 in the 100 breaststroke.

Agoura’s Nick Cirincione swam 20.91 in the 50 freestyle, more than a second faster than Nick Smith of Chaminade.

Sophomore Anthony Erwin of Hart won the 100 freestyle in 46.92.

Erwin was beaten by Carpenter in the 100 backstroke in a race that could be a preview of the section final next month.

“I was going to have to pull off something special to beat him,” Erwin said.

Ryan Parmenter of Hart won the 200 individual medley in 1:56.85 and the 500 freestyle in a best of 4:40.88.

Ingrid Salazar of Royal won the 200 freestyle in 1:56.37 and the 500 freestyle in 5:08.37. Highlander teammate Jamie McIntyre won the 200 individual medley in 2:10.04 and finished second in the 100 backstroke.

Jenni Marcus of St. Bonaventure won the 50 and 100 freestyles.

Hart could have pushed Durango for the girls’ title, but the Indians were without senior Monica Oleksyn, defending Southern Section Division II champion in the 100 breaststroke, who has strep throat.

Due to more late scratches than normal, the meet ran into darkness, finishing at 8 p.m.