Ripon makes record splash at Merced County Championships
No one does more with less than Ripon High School aquatics coach Erik Zador, whose fighting-few boys water polo program captured a Sac-Joaquin Section title in the fall.
It appears the swim team is reading from the same script.
On Saturday, the Indians traveled to Pacheco High in Los Banos and created waves with just nine swimmers at the third annual Merced County Championships.
With seven girls, Ripon set six meet records en route to a runner-up finish in the seven-team event.
Behind record-setting swims by Mallory Brubaker, Elizabeth Wenner and Hannah Sweet, Ripon accumulated 301 points, distancing itself from Central Section foes Kerman (264) and Dos Palos (191). Buhach Colony won with 309 points.
Brubaker set two meet marks, and sprint specialist Wenner was in on three record swims.
Brubaker displayed her endurance in the distance events, establishing new standards in the 200- ( 2 minutes, 1.83 seconds) and 500-yard freestyles (5:23.18).
Wenner took care of the sprints, posting record times in the 50 free (25.92) and 100 back (1:02.48).
Sweet also won multiple events. She touched the wall first in the 200 individual medley in 2:14.55 and glided to victory in the 100 breaststroke in a meet-record 1:09.88.
Chloe Winter won the 100 free in 59.43 and joined Amber Scheid, Wenner and Sweet on the winning 200 medley relay team.
Wenner, Sweet, Scheid and Andrea Martin set a meet record in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:47.72.
Ty Wells delivered a singular performance for the Ripon boys. The 2015 CIF State qualifier set a blistering pace in his two individual events, winning the 100 butterfly in 54.43 and the 100 breaststroke in 59.43, both meet records.
Last spring, Wells advanced to the inaugural CIF State Swimming and Diving Championships in the 100 butterfly. He was the only freshman to advance to Clovis, where he finished 26th with a time of 51.68.
The Indians return home for two meets this week: a Valley Oak League dual with East Union on Tuesday and the fourth annual Ervin Zador Invitational on Saturday.
The invitational will feature Sierra, Manteca, East Union, Hilmar and Gregori, and three of the Stanislaus District’s top boys swimmers. In addition to Wells, 2015 Modesto Bee Swimmer of the Year Scott Tolman of Sierra and Gregori’s Christian Britton will compete. Tolman and Britton have committed to Cal Baptist.
Ripon is the defending boys and girls champion. The girls will be shooting for a fourth consecutive victory.
James Burns: 209-578-2150, @jburns1980
Fourth annual Ervin Zador Invitational
WHEN: Saturday. Meet begins at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Ervin Zador Aquatic Center, Ripon High School.
WHO: In addition to host Ripon, meet will include Sierra, Manteca, East Union, Hilmar and Gregori.
AT STAKE: The Ripon girls have won all three Invite titles, while the Ripon boys also are a defending champion.
This story was originally published April 2, 2016 at 11:24 PM with the headline "Ripon makes record splash at Merced County Championships."