Eagles are home, for once

COSTA MESA ? The Estancia High pool had been out of commission since June and all of the boys’ and girls’ swim team’s home meets had already passed. All of them, that is, but one.

With all of the construction and refurbishing of Estancia’s pool finally finished, the Eagles were able to host a meet at the campus pool on Wednesday for the only time this year and they made the most of it.

The Estancia girls took advantage of the occasion by whipping Westminster, 135-34, in a Golden West League contest to move to 9-0, 4-0 in league. The Estancia boys also posted a victory, defeating the Lions, 94-75, to improve to 4-5 overall and 3-1 in league.

While waiting for the pool renovations to be completed, the Eagles had practiced at Costa Mesa High and Orange Coast College and held their “home” meets at Newport Harbor High.

“It’s very comforting to be back in our home pool,” boys’ swim coach John Carpenter said. “We finally get to practice here everyday. It’s the first chance for kids to get out of fifth period class and just jump into the pool.”

The Estancia girls were led by sophomores Meagan Kunert and Shea Kopp, both of whom won two individual events and were part of two winning relay teams.

Kunert won the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:08.75, the 100 butterfly at 1:11.58, swam the butterfly on the winning 200 medley relay team and contributed to the victorious 200 freestyle relay team.

Kopp won the 100 freestyle with a time of 55.61, the 100 backstroke at 1:01.99, got the Eagles out to a big lead by leading off with the backstroke in the 200 medley relay and anchored the winning 200 freestyle relay team, which finished with a CIF Southern Section Division III qualifying time of 1:21.91.

“It’s a relief to be back in our own pool, especially since we’ve been out of it for so long,” Kopp said. “And it’s nice that we have fans now.”

Senior Susan Cloud was another double winner for the Eagles, taking first place in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:39.94 and the 100 breaststroke at 1:18.85.

“It makes things a lot easier to finally have our pool back,” Estancia girls’ coach Bob Bandaruk said. “Plus, now the girls have no excuses to miss practice. You just have to go straight from class to practice.”

The Estancia boys were led by seniors Andrew Fassari and Chad Kunert. Fassari won the 100 butterfly (59.20) by 15 yards, the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:01.98 and was a part of the winning 200 freestyle relay, which finished with a time of 1:41.33.

Kunert won the 200 freestyle by 30 yards with a time of 2:00.00, the 500 freestyle at 5:29.19, swam the butterfly on the winning 200 medley relay and anchored the victorious 200 freestyle relay. Kunert appears right on track to capture his fourth Golden West League title in the 500 freestyle in four years on varsity, despite not being content with his speed on Wednesday.

“I’m happy to get a couple of wins today, I just wished I had better times,” Kunert said. “We’ve been a little shaky all season, but we’re shaping up. I think we’ll finish the season strong.”

Other Estancia boys that were victorious include sophomore Jeff Crosson, who took first place in the 200 IM with a time of 2:33.96, and junior Robert DiFrancesco, who finished first in the 100 freestyle at 59.44.

“The kids had some good times today,” Carpenter said. “They were definitely motivated by being back in their home pool.”

Unfortunately for Estancia, all of its remaining scheduled meets are on the road, so the teams will only be able to use the newly refurbished pool for practice the remainder of the season.

The pool was down for nearly a year because of extensive drainage and lighting problems. In addition, the deck was taken up and replaced with a new plaster surface.