Cougars and Barons Finish on Top, Barely

It was crowded at the top Thursday in a three-team, nonleague swim meet at Saddleback College.

The Capistrano Valley and Fountain Valley boys’ teams tied for first place with 182 points, while the Cougar girls edged Foothill, 205-195. The third-place Foothill boys had 117 points; the Baron girls scored 82.

The winning teams were not determined until the final races.

Capistrano Valley freshman Brent Nolan won the 200 freestyle in 1 minute 51.09 seconds and the 500 freestyle in 4:46.99, just ahead of Fountain Valley’s Brandon Dotts, who captured the 200 individual medley (1:59.86) and swam on two victorious relay teams. Andrew Burbach of Capistrano Valley finished first in the 100 backstroke (57.0).

Foothill’s Brian Via won the 100 freestyle (50.21) and finished less than a half-second behind Nolan in the 200 freestyle.

“He’s [normally] a 500 [freestyle] swimmer, so I thought if he was going to win he’d have to come back in the end,” Foothill boys’ Coach Dave Simcox said.

Kaitlyn Card of Foothill won the 100 butterfly (1:00.86) and 100 backstroke (1:01.38) and swam third on the winning 200 freestyle team. She returned to anchor Foothill’s first-place 400 relay team (3:45.66.).

Ashlee Henson won the 100 freestyle (54.86) and anchored the winning 200 freestyle relay team (1:44.38).

“A good job by our kids against good competition; Capistrano Valley did a nice job with their depth,” Foothill girls’ Coach Jim Brumm said.

Capistrano Valley’s Nicole Bowdle won the 200 individual medley (2:16.56) and 100 breaststroke (1:08.19) and swam backstroke on the winning 200 individual relay unit (1:57.26).

The Cougars’ Amber Stachowski (2:02.02) won the 200 freestyle and Ty Kawakami finished first in the 500 freestyle in 5:32.99.

“Nicole has had so many close races recently where she’s just been getting touched out, so it’s good to see her get some wins,” Capistrano Valley girls’ Coach Don Cholodenko said.

In the boys’ 100 freestyle, Foothill’s Via caught Fountain Valley’s Jack Yarbrough on the final leg to finish .25 ahead.