Clovis swim teams win at Carlsbad invite

CARLSBAD — Clovis’ boys and girls swim teams turned in stellar performances in their last competition before the Thanksgiving break.

Last Saturday, the Wildcats competed in a dual meet at Carlsbad, with the Clovis boys winning 194-37, the Clovis girls 199-165, in a performance that included five new qualifying times for the Lady ’Cats.

“It is highly unusual that in today’s swimming world, there are ever dual meets between teams,” Clovis head coach Gordy Westerberg said. “The vast majority of meets are competed as invitationals, so this was a very refreshing change of events for both teams.”

Refreshing enough for the Wildcats to post 15 first-place finishes.

Bella Zamora had two of them, notching state-qualifying times in the 50 freestyle (24.89) and 100 backstroke (58.95).

“Bella Zamora really stood out with her performances in the 50 free and the 100 back,” Westerberg said. “Her times were the same as what she was going last February — which was right before the state championships — so that is really exciting for us.”

Clayton Hogan and Thomas Palla each had a pair of first-place finishes — Hogan in the boys 200 freestyle (2:13.67) and boys 500 free (6:01.80), Palla in the boys 100 freestyle (57.31) and boys 100 breaststroke (1:15.68).

Also placing first for Clovis were: Hannah Luscombe with a state-qualifying time in the girls 200 freestyle (2:04.33); Shyann Kissinger with a state-qualifying time in the girls 100 freestyle (57.02); Porter Kidd in the boys 50 freestyle (27.85); David Reeb in the 100 backstroke (1:05.70); the boys 200 medley relay team of William Longhenry, Palla, David Reeb and Hogan (2:00.75); the girls 200 freestyle relay team of Kissinger, Luscombe, Katie Reeb and Zamora with a state-qualifying time (1:46.95); the boys 200 free relay team of Rikki Aponte, Palla, Kidd and Kriday Andiboina (1:50.77); the girls 400 freestyle relay team of Nina Mead, Kissinger, Luscombe and Zamora with a state-qualifying time (3:51.19); and the boys 400 free relay team of David Reeb, Kidd, Andiboina and Hayden Stewart (4:07.50).

Second-place Clovis finishers were: Aponte in the boys 200 freestyle (2:17.52) and boys 100 breaststroke (1:17.61); Kissinger with a state-qualifying time in the girls 200 individual medley (2:21.40); Longhenry in the boys 200 i.m. (2:32.08) and boys 500 freestyle (6:04.85); Amber Westerberg in the girls 100 butterfly (1:08.29); Andiboina in the boys 100 fly (1:29.88); Mead with a state-qualifying time in the girls 100 freestyle (58.03); David Reeb in the boys 100 free (57.69); Amber Westerberg, Tabitha May, Mead and Jakoda Culley in the girls 200 freestyle relay (1:55.48); Kidd in the boys 100 backstroke (1:09.94); Katie Reeb in the girls 100 breaststroke (1:16.43); and Hogan, Longhenry, Aponte and Matthew Del Toro in the boys 400 freestyle relay (4:09.15).

Third-place Wildcat finishes were notched by: Lexi Spears in the girls 200 freestyle (2:17.45); Del Toro in the boys 200 free (2:41.32); Mead in the girls 200 individual medley (2:34.71) and girls 500 freestyle (6:18.00); Andiboina in the boys 200 i.m. (2:40.22); Katie Reeb in the girls 100 butterfly (1:09.74); Stewart in the boys 500 freestyle (6:35.00); Amber Westerberg in the girls 100 breaststroke (1:17.94); and the 400 free relay team of Spears, Chara May, Culley and Kiara Morgan (4:29.84).

Placing fourth for Clovis were: Culley in the girls 200 freestyle (2:25.32) and girls 500 freestyle (6:28.50); Chara May in the girls 50 freestyle (31.31); Morgan in the girls 100 butterfly (1:29.88) and girls 100 backstroke (1:19.22); Spears in the girls 100 freestyle (1:04.95); Tabitha May in the girls 100 breaststroke (1:28.32); and Del Toro in the boys 100 breaststroke (1:36.24).

Tabitha May was fifth in the girls 200 i.m. (2:40.21). Chara May took fifth in the girls 500 freestyle (6:52.13).

“This marked the third meet in which I rotated the lineup around,” Coach Westerberg said. “I think it really helps the swimmers when they have to compete in what they would consider their ‘off events’.”

Clovis will be sending seven swimmers to a large regional club competition to Dallas from Dec. 6-8.

The Wildcats’ next team competition will be Dec. 14 at the Seminole (Texas) Invitational.