Eagles sweep the NAL Championships

BREAKING RECORDS: Anchor leg swimmer Matt Bohlin receives knuckles from West Valley team mate Ryan Parke. The team consisting of Nate Espino, Charlie McIntosh, Bohlin, and Parke broke their 400 meter freestyle record for the third time this season with a new time of 3:37.10 seconds. The time to beat was 3:42 seconds set earlier in the season.

Three of West Valley's school records were broken as the Eagle girls' and boys' swept the NAL league championships at home.

The West Valley boys' 200m medley relay team of Ryan Parke, Kurt Sjoberg, Brennon Shepard and Steven Jordan broke the school record in a time 1:51.14.

Then the Eagle boys' 400 free relay team of Nate Espino, Matt Bohlin, Charlie McIntosh and Ryan Parke broke another school record in a time of 3:37.10.

Kurt Sjoberg entered the water for the 100m breaststroke and not only placed first in the event, but reset West Valley's school record in the event. Sjoberg had set the previous record for the event at West Valley and broke his own record.

"I knew the team was going to shine. They've worked so hard and were so prepared, and they just went out and rocked," said Marc Soares, West Valley's swim coach.

This is the 10th straight NAL title for the West Valley boys', winning with 166 points to 39 for Uprep, 34 for Central valley, 27 for Yreka and 21 for Anderson.

Matt Bohlin was a double winner, capturing the 200 free and 100 fly, while Ryan Parke won the 100 back. Nate Espino was a double winner, capturing the 200 I.M. and the 500 free. Matt Gardner won the 100 free and Brennon Shepard won the 50 free.

Maddie Winton was a double winner for West Valley, leading the girls to their 6th straight NAL crown. Winton won the 100 free and the 200 free, while Alex Szymanski won the 50 free.

Cubs struggle at championships

The Anderson boys' and girls' swim teams did not fare well in the NAL Championships held at West Valley, but were able to set new personal records.

"If we would have swam all our good swimmers at the varsity level, I feel Anderson would have finished 2nd in boys and 3rd in girls at the NAL Championships," said Don Williams, Anderson's swim coach. "Instead we had all our freshmen and sophomores swim junior varsity, so that they could have more individual success."

For the girls' junior varsity team, Allison Lafayette (sophomore) placed first in both the 200 IM and 100 freestyle. Sophomore Savannah Hoy won in the 500 free and took third in the 100 butterfly. Marcee Epperson came home with third in the 100 breast.

For the junior varsity boys, Chris Webb placed first in the 100 butterfly, Clay Robinson came in second in the 50 free, and Brycen McDaniels was second in the 200 I.M.

For the varsity, Makayla Taylor placed fifth in the100 back and Josh Gibson walked away with third in the 50 free.

"Overall the Cub swimmers improved tremendously," said Williams. "A large majority of the times posted in this meet were personal records."

On October 28, eight Cubs will compete in the Division II Section Championships at West Valley. Qualifying in their individual races were Taylor, Lafayette, Gibson, Jon Creech, and Tyler Spurgeon. Swimming in the relays will be Hoy, Terra Gibson, and Nathan Saunders.