Men's Swimming Brings Home First, Women in Second

The Ventura College men's and women's swimming teams traveled to Cuesta for the third Western State Conference meet of the season and found plenty of success. The Pirate men finished with the top point total while the women's team finished with the second highest point total on their side. Austin Hammond continued his strong season with three first place finishes.

On the men's side Hammond was the top Pirate swimmer with wins in the 200 freestyle, 200 butterfly and as part of the 400 freestyle relay team. Thomas Bunker was a three time winner on the day in the 1000 freestyle, 500 freestyle and as part of the 400 freestyle relay team. James Abernathy won the 200 breaststroke and was a winner on the 400 individual medley relay team. James Heckman found himself in first place in two events the 50 freestyle and on the 400 freestyle relay team. Jack Pickett won the 100 freestyle and was on the 400 yard individual medley relay team. Marcus Rodarte was another Pirate who picked up a pair of wins on the 400 yard individual medley relay team and then again in the 200 backstroke. Heckman finished second in the 200 backstroke, while Pickett finished in the second in the 50 free.

On the women's side of the meet the Pirates were not able to win any individual events, but their 400 individual medley relay team finished in first place and their 400 freestyle relay team took home the top time. Paige Treloar-Ballard, Maria Petraitis, Cheyanne Irigoyen, Raquel Rodriguez and Delani Clark were consistent top three finishers for the VC women to help their second place point total. 

Ventura will swim again on Saturday Apr. 9 at Pasadena City College as part of the Pasadena Invitational. The meet is set to start at 9:00 am.