San Clemente’s Caverly Wins Twice at Meet of Champions

Kristen Caverly didn’t let distractions from high school graduation get in the way of another strong performance Saturday at the TYR Swim Meet of Champions.

Caverly defended her titles in the 200-meter breaststroke and 400 individual medley at the Marguerite Recreation Center in Mission Viejo, two days after graduating from San Clemente.

The celebrations after the ceremony kept Caverly up all night, but she was determined to maintain her competitive schedule. She won the breaststroke in 2 minutes 32.73 seconds, slightly more than two seconds slower than her time at last year’s meet.

She came back about 30 minutes later to win the medley in 4:51.10, just under two seconds slower than a year ago.

“The 400 [individual medley] hurt so bad,” said Caverly, who set the national high school record in the 200-yard individual medley last year. “I couldn’t wait to get to the wall.”

Courtney Cashion, who will be a junior at Irvine High in the fall, won a close race in the 50 freestyle. Cashion won in 26.32, edging Laura Pomeroy of the Toronto All-Stars (26.34) and Lacey Nymeyer of Arizona Ford (26.35).

Lindsay Benko of the Trojan swim club won her second event of the meet, the 200 freestyle, in 2:01.87.