Hart smashes record for championship

MONTEREY PARK - When the state meet first came to East Los Angeles College's Swim Stadium back in 2011, coaches knew the reputation of the indoor facility--a "fast pool" capable of producing record performances. From 2011-2017, the ELAC-hosted championships totaled a dizzying 52 state records.

Despite none achieved last year in the first post-COVID final, on Friday's Day 2 of the 3C2A State Swimming and Diving Championships, it was a return to the record dance for student-athletes. 

Four more state records were achieved Friday (five this meet)  by Orange Coast in the 200-yard medley relay, breaking an 11-year-old record set by Santa Rosa, Sierra's Jake Reuter in snapping Golden West's Gabriel Hernandez 2014 mark by .66 in the 400 individual medley, and Palomar's Emma Hart breaking her own record from the prelims in the women's 100 butterfly to win the gold in the finals. (See capsultes for times). 

Santa Monica leads Sierra in the women's standings by a healthy 52 points while Sierra has a sizeable 131 point advantage over Orange Coast in the men's competition.

WOMEN'S STANDINGS: 1. Santa Monica 268, 2. Sierra 216, 3. Orange Coast 196, 4. Santa Barbara CC 185, 5. Santa Rosa JC 166, 6. Palomar 125, 7. West Valley 108,  8. Diablo Valley 107, 9. Riverside CC 100.5, 10. American River 91.

Event #17: W-100 butterfly: STATE MEET RECORD-Champion--Emma Hart, Palomar, 54.82, 2. Isabella Urlando, Santa Barbara, 57.19, Reigner, Santa Monica, 58.38. Hart broke the state meet record in the event at 55.30 in the prelims. She then smashed that mark in the finals by .48.