Tsai, OCC dominate Cuesta swim event

Orange Coast College freshman Sherry Tsai led a dominant performance

by the Pirate women’s team Saturday at the Cuesta Swim Invitational

in San Luis Obispo.

Tsai won the 1,650-yard freestyle in 17:34.68, lapping her closest

competitor at the 1,300-yard mark.

She also won the 100 individual medley (58.23), by far the best

time in the state, according to OCC assistant Mike Giles, and she was

also victorious in the 200 IM (2:08.45).

Tsai also contributed to OCC victories in the 800 free relay, 400

free relay, 200 free relay and the 400 medley relay.

Joining Tsai on all four relay winners were freshmen Sara

Natalizio and Kimberly Frith. Sophomore Ashley Lowden was on all but

the 800 free relay, in which freshman Erica Nichoson rounded out the

quartet.

The competition included swimmers from 35 schools, though many of

the 700 competitors did not compete, leaving before the severe

weather conditions gave way to bright sunshine by 10 a.m. Saturday,

Giles said.

Giles said no official team scores were available, but he believes

OCC dominated the women’s meet, which, besides the state

championships, features the most comprehensive competition from

schools throughout the state.

Other winners for the Pirates included sophomore Jenny Nelson

(27.11 in the 50 butterfly) and Frith (5:12.07 in the 500 free).

In the men’s meet, freshman diver Zak Taylor finished second on

the one-meter board. He is the first diver OCC has had in five years,

Giles said.

The 200 free relay quartet of Tyson Beemer, Billy Jolly, Billy

Swanson and Paul Frankenberger posted a winning time of 1:28.43,

while Beemer also won the 50 free in 21.79.