By Tadzio Garcia
The swimming team won 9-of-13 events and trounced two conference foes at the LA Trade Tech College Dual Meet Friday, March 2, after previously losing to both teams.
The Huskies beat Rio Hondo College, 82-33, and Trade Tech, 98-17. The Huskies previously lost to Rio Hondo by 11 points and by three points to Tech at the Mt. San Antonio College Invite, Feb. 25.
East Los Angeles College won all 50-yard races. Veronica Pelayo won the 50 freestyle with her best time of the year at 27.97 seconds. Genesis Hermosillo placed second at 29.55.
Martha Rivas won the 50 butterfly, in 31.31. Beisi Li and Pelayo placed first and second in the 50 breaststroke at 36.05 and 36.12, respectively, both their top times in this event this year.
Alexandra Gonzalez won the 50 backstroke in 34.2, followed by Lyz Ruvalcaba who took second at 35.31. Edith Rivas won the 100 back in 1:12.00, her fastest time in this event this year.
Suzette Merchain-Cota, the oldest member of the team by over 20 years, swims to be a role model for her children. “I want to show them that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams,” said Merchain-Cota.
Li and Pelayo took first and second in the 100 breast at 1:19.14 and 1:19.51. Li and Gonzalez did the same in the 100 individual medley posting their best times to date, at 1:14.15 and 1:14.69, respectively.
Burrola took first in the 500 free in 6:20.97, followed by Edith Rivas at second in 6:26.28.
Not to be outdone, the Husky “A” team won the last race of the day in 3:46.01. The team was made up of Burrola, Hermosillo, Edith Rivas and Pelayo.
Other highlights were second and third place finishes in four races. Ashley Jauregui (13:56.44) and Michelle Sierra (15:10.92) did it in the 1000 free.
Burrola (2:14.81) and Hermosillo (2:29.71) did the same in the 200 free. M. Rivas (1:12.64 – her best time of the year) and Sandy Mendieta (1:15.84) placed second and third in the 100 fly.
Burrola (1:02.53) and Hermosillo (1:04.35) also both swam there best times of the year in the 100 free to also place second and third, respectively.