CdM boys stand out

O'Dea also highlighted sophomore Christian Garkani and his standout swims in the 200 free (1:48.12, second place) and 100 back (54.33, third).

Sophomore Brynne Wong won the 50 free (24.41) and 100 fly (57.85) for the CdM girls. Both are CIF automatic times and girls' co-Coach Stephanie Gabert said those were Wong's season-bests.

Junior Hollace Barden also helped the CdM girls rack up as many points as possible against the defending CIF Southern Section Division I champions. Barden won the 100 free in 54.05. She also provided a highlight in the meet-ending 400 free relay, where her anchor leg helped the Sea Kings team (also featuring Ally McCormick, Tori Gabert and Pippa Saunders) come from behind to touch first in a CIF automatic time of 3:40.31.

Barden's anchor leg was a swift 53.40 for the swimmer Gabert said they call "Seabiscuit."

"When she sees somebody ahead of her, she wants to chase 'em down and beat 'em," Gabert said. "She has such heart and she always wants to do her best."

McCormick finished second in both the 200 free and 100 free for CdM, which continues to benefit from an interesting mix of club swimmers and water polo players.

"The combination is really good," Barden said. "All the water polo girls are really fast and we all get along really well."

The 200 free relay team of McCormick, Cassidy Papa, Gabert and Wong finished second to Uni in 1:42.91, but the time was a season-best.

CdM's boys next have a big tri-meet against defending Division I champion Capistrano Valley and Loyola on April 19. The meet, at Capo Valley, features the top three finishers at last year's CIF finals.