Men's Swimming's Strong Showing in March Prepares Them for Championship Season

R.J. Williams is currently ranked as one of the top sprint butterflies in the state. Photo: Celine Sargis
R.J. Williams is currently ranked as one of the top sprint butterflies in the state. Photo: Celine Sargis

It has been a busy month for the Bear Cubs.  After the Alumni Meet and a strong performance at the Cuesta Invitational in early March, the SRJC men upped their training and racing game competing in four meets in three weeks including:

At the Big 8 Invite hosted by Delta College, the Cubs looked to refine their skills and get familiar with the pool that will host the Big 8 Conference Championships April 20-22. Sophomore Bradley John Erickson was a double winner posting the best time in the 200 Breast and the 100 Back. Teammate Drew Sipple won the 200 Fly and took 2nd to Erickson in the Back. Other strong performances included Grant Howell's 2nd place finishes in the 200 IM and the 500 Free; and Nathan Parker 5th place finish in the 100 Breast.

R.J. Williams was the 50 Free Shoot-Out champion at the ARC Sprint Pentathlon. Going undefeated in the opening round (21.97), the quarter-finals (21.68), and the semi (21.98), Williams beat Matt Lee from Las Positas (21.56), with a final time of 21.52. Erickson also won the 200 IM at the meet as well.

Swimming back-to-back meets, the Cubs traveled to Livermore to get a few more distance events in at the Las Positas/Sierra Double Dual.  At the meet Sipple swam a nasty double and won both the 1650 Free and the 200 Fly; Erickson won the 200 Breast after taking second in the 400 IM; and the relay time of Williams, Erickson, Howell, and Sipple won the 400 Free Relay with a state qualifying time of 3:13.22.

Last weekend they finished the month with the two-day Hawk Invite at Las Positas College.  SRJC men finished 3rd overall out of 11 teams. Sipple won the overall mid-distance freestyle title with his combined 1st place finish in the 200 free and his 2nd place finish in the 500 free.  He also won the 200 fly as well. Other top finishes included:  Erickson 3rd in the 400 IM and 200 IM; and Williams 2nd in the 100 Fly and 3rd in the 50 Free.

The Cubs will compete in their final regular season meet on Saturday, April 8th at Chabot College in Hayward, and then they will advance to the Big 8 Swimming Championships in Stockton.