Leopards Top Caltech in Final Home Meet

In its final home meet of the season, the University of La Verne's swim and dive team defeated the Caltech Beavers in SCIAC action in both the men's and women's competition. The women battled until the end to top the Beavers 116-109, while the men's victory ended in a 121-111 final. 

The Leopard men posted 18 season-best times while the women's squad registered 14 for an overall total of 31 season-best performances against Caltech.

The women started the day off with a first place performance in the 400-yard medley relay team, Karen Romo, Brittany Orduno, Erin Morten, and Terrah Carrol, with a time of 4:38.68.

Carrol finished first in her individual event, the 200-yard freestyle (2:08.48), followed closely by Shelby Broyles who placed second with a time of 2:09.69. Broyles also had a first place finish in the 500-yard freestyle (5:42.09).

Morten finished the day with a pair of second-place finishes in the 1000-yard freestyle (12:07.67) and the 500-yard freestyle (5:48.78).

Senior Jaycee Hallford placed first in the 200-yard IM (2:25.12) and second in the 100-yard freestyle (58.83), after coming in behind teammate Maddie Lovrensky who placed first with a time of 58.83. Lovrensky also had first-place finishes in the 200-yard backstroke (2:20.93) and the 50-yard freestyle (25.19).

The La Verne women topped off their victory with a first place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay, Romo, Broyles, Samary Morales, and Carroll, coming in at 4:08.19.

On the men's side, the 400-yard relay team, Shane Hurter, Marc Okimura, Matthew Johnson and Tyler Hunt, started the meet with a first-place effort coming in at 3:41.18.

Hurter also dominated in the 200-yard backstroke (1:56.93), coming in over 36 seconds ahead of the rest of the competition.

Senior Andrew Mackay also had an impressive outing placing first in the 200-yard freestyle (1:55.18), 11 seconds ahead of the other swimmers. Mackay also placed third in the 100-yard freestyle (51.49).

Jon Jarvis had two first place finishes in his individual events, the 1000-yard freestyle (10:27.86) and the 500-yard freestyle (5:03.16).

Okimura also had two first-place finishes in the 200-yard butterfly and the 200-yard IM (2:01.70). Senior Dennis Rickerd came in behind Okimura in the 200-yard IM for a second place finish (2:18.31).

Freshman Tyler Hunt placed first in the 50-yard freestyle (22.35) and the 100-yard freestyle (49.91).

The La Verne swim team recognized seniors Mackay, Daniel Sillas, Danny Feola, Rickerd, Hurter, Brianna DiCarlo, Morten, Romo, Orduno, Carrol, and Hallford in their final home swim meet.  

The Leopards will next be competing in the SCIAC Championship which will be held February 19-21 in South Gate.