IRVINE, Calif.-  The CUI swim and dive teams hosted the inaugural Orange County Invitational right in the middle of the latest atmospheric river and the Golden Eagles weathered rough conditions to win both the women's and men's divisions at Portola High Sschool on Saturday. 

The CUI women outlasted six schools including PCSC foe, the APU Cougars and the University of Nebraska Kearney, 1,116-1,071.5-1,002.50 to take the close-fought title while the men defeated five schools including The Master's University, ACU, OUAZ, Soka and Westcliff.  

The Golden Eagles won 10 events in total with Landon McIntire (100-200 free) and Jon Sutherlin (500-1000 free) leading the charge for the men.  Freshman Alex Leland (100 breaststroke) and junior Jade Hughes (1000 free) earned wins for the women.

The day started well as both medley relays (Georgia Caraway, Alex Leland, Aranza Martha, Hailey Garcia and Lanis Webb, Jack Harris, Isaiah Phillips, Chris Haygood) raced to victories. In the first individual event, Jade and Ryan Burke finished 1-2 in the women's 1000 freestyle and 10 minutes later Jon Sutherlin, Joseph Molettieri and Garrin Hatfield swept the men's 1000 free.

Landon put on a patented back half charge to seal the win in the 200 free and later held on for his second win in the 100 free.  Hunter May was victorious in the 200 IM while getting two other top-3 finishes on the day. 

Alex Leland, top ranked in the PCSC in the 100 breaststroke, put together a very nice meet.  She led wire-to-wire in getting the win in the 200 breast and was 2nd in both the 50 free and 100 breast.

Chris (1st), Isaiah (3rd), Landon (6th), Jonathan Dose (7th), Jack Harris (10th), and Ryan Martines (11th) powered CUI to a high-scoring 50 free and Ryan (2nd) and Jack (3rd) put down matching 1:00's in the 100 breaststroke.  

The Golden Eagles final tune-up before the PCSC Championships in February is a unique Triple Distance Dual Meet against Biola next Saturday, Jan 21 at Portola High School.  The meet will start at 10:30am.  Admission is free and hopefully only the pool is wet. 

CLICK HERE for the updated CUI women's swim and dive schedule

CLICK HERE for the updated CUI men's swim and dive schedule