The La Cueva girls kicked off their New Mexico title run with a state record in the 200 medley relay, clocking a 1:45.16. Their other event win came in the 50 free, where Natalie Jones ripped a 23.43 to win over a field with no other competitors joining her under 24 seconds.
Los Alamos’ Sarah Lott had a stellar meet, taking two individual titles as well as notching a new state record. She popped a 1:49.29 in the 200 free, which set a state mark, and then came back to win the 100 free with a time of 50.20.
Also breaking state records on the girls’ side were Zofia Niemczak and Lauren Burckel. Niemczak, who swims for Volcano Vista, dropped a 55.21 to own the 100 fly and earn a new state mark. Meanwhile, Burckel of Eldorado finished the 100 breast with a time of 1:03.25 to break the state record in that event.
Eldorado took the 200 free relay, while Volcano Vista ruled the 400 free relay. La Cueva trailed Eldorado going into the final relay, but with La Cueva’s 2nd place finish, they earned six points more than Eldorado and took the team title by just five points. Talk about close finishes.
Final Scores (girls)
- La Cueva 291
- Eldorado 286
- Albuquerque Academy 232
- Los Alamos 218
- Clovis 205
The Albuquerque Academy boys rode on two big wins from Anthony Kim. He first broke the state record in the 100 fly, swimming a time of 48.55, and then won the 100 back (50.10) after setting the state record (48.87) in prelims.
Kim also split a 21.65 on Academy’s winning 200 medley relay, swimming the butterfly leg, and led off their 3rd place 400 free relay with a 45.69.
Eldorado’s Hank Gullick was a double champion in the sprint frees, taking the 50 in 20.51 and then the 100 in 44.96, just getting under 45 seconds. Gullick also led off Eldorado’s 200 free relay in 20.49, which would finish with a new state record time of 1:26.37. In the final relay, he anchored in a quick 44.52 to help Eldorado score another title and state record (3:09.44).
Jacob Harlan of Cibola was also impressive, turning in winning times in both the 200 (1:40.75) and 500 (4:36.55) freestyle races.
While the boys’ team title wasn’t as close as the girls’, it certainly wasn’t a blowout for Albuquerque Academy.
Final Scores (boys)
- Albuquerque Academy 306
- Sandia 284
- Eldorado 268
- La Cueva 201
- Albuquerque 181