BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- The Roadrunner men's swimming and diving team narrowly edged out the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds to pick up a dramatic 151-144 win. With only two events to go, Bakersfield's men held only a six-point lead over the Sunbirds. Chris Hansen, Bakersfield's Director of Swimming, had to trust in three freshmen to solidify the meet. Did they ever deliver!
Mario Vasquez (Fr., El Centro, Calif., Southwest HS), Bryant Fascio (Fr., Los Angeles, Calif., Rancho Cucamonga HS), and Ethan Pollock (Fr., Eagle Mountain, Utah, American Fork HS) finished the 400 IM in first, second, and third, giving the 'Runners 16 points and clinching the win. “It was hard to beat them and we were in trouble the first half of the meet,” said Hansen. “The second half, our freshmen came to play. Mario, Ethan, and Bryant are the reason we won that meet, hands down. On the 400 IM, we had to finish one, two, and three to win the meet. When you're sitting on the sideline watching three freshmen doing it, you're a little nervous, but those three stood up and played today.”
The 'Runners also received solid performances out of the regular cast on Saturday at the Hillman Aquatics Complex. Mitchell Huxhold (Sr., Escondido, Calif., San Pasqual HS) won the 1000 free (9:33.85) and 500 free (4:37.00) while scoring points for the 'Runners in the 100 free (fourth, 47.70) and anchoring the second-place 200 free relay team (1:25.41).
Lovre Soric (Fr., Zagreb, Croatia, X. Gimnazija Ivan Supek) picked up a win for Bakersfield in the 200 back (1:54.86). “Lovre's 200 backstroke today was an off event and was very impressive,” said Hansen. Diver Brayden Greenwald, another freshman, picked up a win in 1-meter diving by scoring 245.25 points.
“I'm excited to see the youth perform,” said Hansen. “Seattle U is a better team than Fresno Pacific, so the men better bring it in the first half next week.” The 'Runners will take off to meet Seattle U in Idaho, Saturday, Nov. 8. For full results from Saturday's dual, open the attached link.
~www.GoRunners.com~
