New events lead to similar results for Estancia

Rick Devereux

Paul Collier is a team player. The senior swam an event he has never

swam before to accommodate Chad Kunert’s goal to qualify for the

postseason in the 200-yard freestyle, Collier’s usual event.

The switch kind of worked for Estancia High, because the Eagles

beat Savanna, 116-47, in a nonleague meet and both Collier and Kunert

finished first in their respective events.

Collier won the 100 backstroke and Kunert won the 200 free, but

Kunert did not qualify for the CIF Southern Section meet with his

time.

“I never swam the back before and I won, so I’m happy,” Collier

said. “But I don’t really like the back that much.”

Collier took first in the 100 free with a time of 57.76 to go with

his 100 back victory. Despite also participating in the winning 200

medley relay and 200 free, Collier admitted to pacing himself.

“I felt bad because I wasn’t putting in my best times,” Collier

said. “I didn’t get a personal best in the 100 free, but I think I

did all right. I was saving my energy. I did what I had to do to

win.”

Kunert’s 1:55.22 won the 200 free but he didn’t qualify for CIF.

An automatic qualification is 1:53.50. Kunert believes his training

in the 500 free will help him in his quest for a bid in the 200.

“Compared to the 500, the 200 is basically a sprint. Once you get

used to the 500, a 200 is no big deal. I’ve been training all year in

the 500 and I think it has really helped me a lot in the 200,” Kunert

said.

The sophomore blew away the competition in the 50 free with a time

of 24.36 and swam legs of the winning 200 medley relay and the 200

free relay. Devon Mellin was first in the 500 free, an event Kunert

did not swim in order to concentrate on the 200. Kunert still hopes

to swim the 500, but needed a break after finishing first on

Wednesday against Orange with a time of 5:09.81, well under the

5:11.00 CIF qualifying time.

“My definite goal for this year is to get under 5:00 in the 500. I

really want to do that,” he said.

The win improved Estancia to 9-2 overall. The Eagles host a

frosh/soph invitational today and Sage Hill on Monday.