Viking swim armada heads south to state finals after plundering Coast Championships

Marie Lucquet was named the women's Swimmer of the Meet at the Coast Championships

Posted: May 02, 2022

Much as they did in water polo in the fall, the West Valley men's and women's swimming teams rolled through the Coast Conference Championship tournament, winning both team titles recently at Las Positas College. The Vikings finished first in 19 of the meet's 40 events and handily won both team trophies despite not fielding athletes in four diving events. Marie Lucquet and Alec Mortensen, who won three events each, were named the women's and men's Swimmer of the Meet. Erika Vargas and Willo Rodriguez were named the Coast Conference Coaches of the Year.

Nine Vikings - Bendeguz Aubeli, Dominick Fanelli, Jacob Hatch, Maria Higginbotham, Lucquet, Kianna Melvin, Mortensen, Dang Ngo and Johanna Scheer - qualified for the CCCAA Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving State Champioinships May 5-7 at East Los Angeles College.

Lucquet won the 500 Free (5:11.90), the 400 IM (4:44.23) and the 200 Breast (2:27.73). Maria Higginbotham took the 100 Back (1:012.18) and the 100 Free (54.49), and was second in the 50 Free (25.72), finishing just behind WVC teammate Johanna Scheer (25.42). Scheer also won the 200 Free (2:02.35) and was just behind Higginbotham in the 100 Free (55.19). Melvin was second in the 200 Free (2:03.48), and Paige McKroskey finished third in the 100 Fly (1:05.09).

Higginbotham, Scheer, Lucquet and Melvin teamed up to win three relays: the 200 Medley (1:54.86), the 800 Free (8:11.54) and the 400 Free (3:45.79).

On the men's side, Mortensen captured the 200 IM (1:56.92), the 100 Fly (51.73) and the 100 Free (46.64). Hatch took the 100 Back (57.66), the 200 Back (1:52.77) and was third in the 50 Free (21.73). Hamish Bonnar finished second in the 200 Free (1:52.97) and the 1650 Free (18:22.54) and was third in the 500 Free (5:09.14). Third place finishes went to Aubeli in the 200 Free (1:53.04) and Jacob Neitzel in the 400 IM (4:56.68).

The men took first in four relays: the 200 Free (1:26.83 - Hatch, Aubeli, Fanelli, Mortensen), the 400 Medley (3:36.34 - Hatch, Ngo, Mortensen, Fanelli), the 200 Medley (1:37.04 - Hatch, Ngo, Mortensen, Aubeli) and the 400 Free (3:45.79 - Hatch, Aubeli, Fanelli, Mortensen). Bonnar, Gojko Kapovic, Aubeli and Fanelli finished second in the 800 Free (7:31.40).

Heading to the state meet, Lucquet has posted the CCCAA's fastest time in the 500 Free and 400 IM and the women's 800 Free team of Higginbotham, Lucquet, Melvin and Scheer is ranked second.