The third day of the PCSC Championships is typically the best of the 4-day meet for the CUI Golden Eagles. It was another busy one as 49 of 52 athletes competed in prelims this morning and as is the norm, some amazing things happened. The CUI women moved solidly into 5th place only 22 points behind UCSC while the men are in 4th place with a lot of points left to be earned on the final day.
Jayden Hernandez blasted from the field and dropped an astounding 48.73p in the 100 butterfly to earn his 2nd individual PCSC title in that event in four seasons. The time is also under the NCAA "B" qualifying standard and is now the new CUI team record!
The CUI women had what was the best single day session at the PCSC Championships in the NCAA era (and possibly ever). They placed an amazing 15 women into the finals session this evening with eight making the A-final (top-8), 4 into the B-final (9-16) and 3 into the C-final (17-24). Leading the A-finals charge were
Ryan Burke who popped a season best in the 100 butterfly (56.95) good for 3rd place, followed by
Georgia Caraway (100 fly, 6th) and
Naomi Nakaya (57.11p 100 fly, 7th and 7th all time in CUI history) ,
Carissa Ward who was 6th in the 400 IM (season best and 8th fastest time in CUI history),
Alice Stainer who was 7th in the 200 free (1:53.68p),
Alex Leland and
Ellie Hardey who were 3rd and 4th respectively in the 100 breast, and
Aubrie Carver who took 8th in the 100 back.
The B-finalist scorers included
Rachel Maki (10th, 200 free, 1:54.60 PR),
Hailey Garcia (100 fly, 14th),
Jade Hughes (100 breast, 16th), and Georgia (100 back, 15th)
Hannah Chabin won the C-final 400 IM and Naomi was 23rd in the 100 back.
The 4x100 A medley relay grabbed a 5th place with the 4th fastest time in CUI history as Aubrie, Alex, Georgia and Alex closed out the session for the women.
The men had some really solid bright spots led by
Joey Molettieri who finished 3rd in the 200 free in a PR of 1:40.76 (7th all time) and
Landon McIntire who grabbed the 4th spot in the 200 behind Joey in a PR of 1:41.58p (8th all time).
Trevor Dixon threw down a monstrous 56.89 in the 100 breast, good for bronze and the 7th fastest time in CUI history. Teammate
Jack Harris was 7th in 57.63p.
Julian Hernandez was 8th in the 100 fly and dropped a PR 51.98 in the 100 back (11th).
Thatcher Grooms was 13th in that same event (52.07p), and
Owen Neitzel was 14th in the 100 butterfly.
Jacob VanRensburg (13th 100 breast, 59.51 PR) and Nate Snyder (14th 100 breast, 59.61 PR) added to the points haul in that event.
To close the night in an impressively fast heat of 400 medley relay teams, Thatcher, Jack, Jayden and Joey stopped the clock at 3:24.39, earning a 5th place finish and the 6th fastest time in CUI history.
The final prelim session starts at 9:30am tomorrow and finals will be at 5:00pm. The PCSC Senior Recognition Ceremony will be at 4:00pm.
