Eagles continue to soar

Rick Devereux

A strong breeze tried to knock over canopies and throw signs off

their hinges, but the wind could not blow Estancia High off course

from an undefeated season.

After wrapping up Golden West League action a perfect 6-0, the

Eagles’ girls improved to 11-0 overall by beating Savanna, 127-38.

For the first time in school history, both the varsity and JV squads

went undefeated.

Senior Marilyn Reich is a big reason for the impressive record and

one the people who enjoys it the most because she has seen the

Estancia swim program grow into a powerhouse.

“It’s the best thing I could have asked for because we used to be

really bad,” Reich said.

Reich finished first in the 200 individual medley and 100

breaststroke and was a member of the winning 200 medley relay and the

200 free relay. Her 1:17.05 was two seconds slower than her personal

best set Wednesday against Orange. Reich wasn’t concerned with her

times.

“I did OK. I know I can do better, though,” she said.

Another important part of Estancia’s success has been Sydney

Barloon. Barloon finished a close second in the 50 free but took the

gold in the 100 free. The freshman was also part of the 200 medley

relay, 200 free relay and 400 free relay. Despite participating in

four winning events, Barloon wasn’t impressed with the final times.

“Today was kind of slow. We were kind of tired today. We had a

hard practice [Thursday] and a meet Wednesday,” she said.

Also contributing was Coco Abdul, who had a come-from-behind

victory in the 100 butterfly and swam the butterfly portion of the

200 medley relay for the Eagles. Abdul got off to a slow start in the

100, but finished strong to win the event. That was all by design,

Abdul said after the meet.

“I kind of pace myself in the first two laps, but then I make it

up in the last lap,” she said.

While Estancia never trailed during the 200 medley relay and every

swimmer added to lead set by backstroker Melissa Buchmann, Abdul’s

butterfly put the race out of reach, giving her squad a seven-second

advantage. Abdul acknowledged a difference between an individual race

and swimming in a relay.

“For the 100 fly I kind of cruise in the beginning and go fast at

the end, but for the relay I have to go fast the whole way,” the

sophomore said.