MONTEREY PARK, Calif.-- The Roadrunner men's swimming team concluded the A3 Performance Invitational on Saturday night with senior Mitchell Huxhold being named Swimmer of the Meet. Bakersfield finished 4th in the field of eight teams with a team total of 729 points. The overall champion was UC Santa Barbara, which ran away from the rest of the field with 1911 points.
“Mitchell's 15:10.89 is really fast with just six weeks of training,” said Hansen of his senior star who took on the 1650 free for the first time this year. “We both knew going under 15 minutes would be tough in November, but as a senior, we wanted to try. Unfortunately, he also had an injury in the beginning of the season that put him out for week. We are both very happy with all his swims this weekend. My prediction is he is ranked in the Top 10 in at least two events. Mitchell and I will sit down and make a plan for our training camp. This is the fastest Mitchell has been in November, so, we are pumped for February!”
Huxhold (Sr., Escondido, Calif., San Pasqual HS) made three NCAA B cuts this weekend while picking up three wins. The strong performance across the board helped the senior from Escondido to be named Swimmer of the Meet. Nonetheless, Huxhold got plenty of help from his teammates this weekend in Southern California.
In the 200 back, Mario Vasquez (Fr.,El Centro, Calif., Southwest HS) impressed his coach with a time of 1:51.79, a season best by over three seconds. “I am so happy for Mario,” said Hansen. “He is one of the hardest workers I have coached. He is so determined to swim fast and he is on track to final at the WAC championships.” Lovre Soric (Fr., Zagreb, Croatia, X. Gimnazija Ivan Supek) also gave Hansen a reason to smile on Saturday: “Lovre's swim is huge! The 200 back has been an off event for us in years past. We haven't had someone swim this fast not rested or shaved in a very long time. Two freshman swimming this fast is very exciting!” Soric went 1:48.11 in the final to place fourth overall and earn Bakersfield 26 points. His time was also just good enough to make him the fifth fastest Roadrunner all-time.
“I was psyched to see Joseph Cobarrubias continue to swim fast,” said Hansen of his freshman who posted a time of 47.35 in the 100 free final. “This was a personal best for Jospeh. Senior Gabriel Bertrand and coach Fran Cverle both swam great head-to-head. Gabriel's time will really help us in relays. This is a new event for him and he is proving what a great choice that was.” Bertrand (Sr., Tibro, Sweden, Nykopingssimg Gymnasium) finished ninth overall in the 100 free final with a time of 45.82, just over one second out of the Bakersfield Top 5.
Brett Emery (Jr., Sacramento, Calif., Bella Vista HS) swam well in the 200 breast, posting a time of 2:08.09 in the prelim and finishing 16th overall in the final. “Brett had two great swims today!” said Hansen. “He is becoming a smart swimmer in this event. He could be a contender for a school record this year.”
Luka Seles (So., Zagreb, Croatia, Birotehnika HS) impressed his coach this weekend: “Luka had an amazing meet! All his swims were either all-time or in-season best times.” Seles dropped his 200 fly season best time by 3.5 seconds, placing 10th in the prelim. Then, he lowered it again in the final to 1:51.47. He finished 11th overall in the event. “Nick Vargas also had a great 200 fly today, he is becoming one of the best flyers,” said Hansen. Vargas (So., Ventura, Calif., Ventura HS) earned 16 points for the 'Runners on Saturday in his two events.
Hansen expressed disappoint about the result of the 400 free relay team: “Lovre, Mitchell, Mihael Vukic, and Gabriel had an unfortunate DQ. This time would have been one of the best in-season swims and Lovre's lead off would have been a top time. The DQ was not a false start, but an illegal exit from the pool.”
“This team is so much fun to be around!” said Hansen. “They swim fast, they motivate each other, and they represent CSUB with pride! Every class is important. I am proud to be their coach! I see big things with this team!”
Some of the Roadrunners will return to action after the Thanksgiving break when they take on the US Nationals, Dec. 4-7, in Greensboro, N.C. The rest of the squad will return to the Hillman Aquatics Complex on campus, Saturday, Dec. 13, to host Cal Baptist in a dual.
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