With strong performances from both returning sophomores and freshmen standouts, the Bear Cubs finish third overall in the Big 8, the most competitive two-year college conference in the country.
Big 8 champion Mark Sidorenko successfully defended his 100 Butterfly title swimming a time of 50.90. Other top 3 finishes came from sophomore Chadwick Leung in the 200 Fly (2nd); from freshmen John Madden (2nd) and Matthew Hayes (3rd) both in the 400 IM, and from Cameron Flood finishing 3rd overall in both the 500 Free and the Mile.
Sophomore team captain Jack McCormick had a solid performance in the sprint events finish in the top 8 in the 50 Free (6th), the 100 Fly (7th), and the 100 Free (8th). In a last ditch effort to qualify for the state finals, McCormick opted to go for his 50 Free one more time in an intermediate split during his 100 Free final. The gamble paid off big time as McCormick went a lifetime best 21.07 which would rank him 3rd overall in the Big 8 and 9th overall in the state. Two more sophomores will be joining these guys on SRJC's state team including Julian Schiano Dicola who finished 7th in the 50 Free and the 100 Free, and 6th overall in the 400 IM; as well as breaststroker Nate English who represented SRJC on both of the medley relays.
SRJC men really showed the depth of their fitness and grit on day 2 when four Cubs (Madden, Hayes, Schiano Dicola, and Leung) all finished in the top 8 of the 400IM, and were joined by teammate Charlie Barrett who also had an 11th place finish in the event. Madden, Hayes, and Schiano Dicola were also members of the 800 free relay that same evening.
Next up for the Bear Cubs will be the CCCAA State Swimming Championships next week May 2-4, hosted by De Anza College in Cupertino.
Final Team Scores: 1. Sierra 914 2. Diablo Valley 772 3. Santa Rosa 515 4. Delta 420 5. American River 326 6. Modesto 142 7. Sac City 126
Top SRJC Event Finishers: 200 Free Relay-3rd, McCormick, Sidorenko, Schiano Dicola, Leung, 1:24.55; 500 Free-3rd, Cameron Flood, 4:44.84; 200 IM-6th, John Madden, 1:57.36; 50 Free-5th, Mark Sidorenko, 21.23; 400 Medley Relay-4th, Leung, English, McCormick, Sidorenko, 3:35.39; 200 Medley Relay-3rd, Hayes, English, Sidorenko, Schiano Dicola, 1:36.05; 400 IM-2nd, John Madden, 4:11.37; 100 Fly-BIG 8 CHAMPION, Mark Sidorenko, 50.90; 200 Free-9th, Cameron Flood, 1:47.78; 100 Breast-12th, Nate English, 1:02.30; 100 Back-11th, Erik Mote, 1:08.22; 800 Free Relay-3rd, Schiano Dicola, McCormick, Madden, Hayes, 7:04.52; 1650 Free-3rd, Cameron Flood, 16:51.51; 200 Back-4th, Matthew Hayes, 1:57.23; 100 Free-3rd, Mark Sidorenko, 46.12; 200 Breast-10th, Nate English, 2:19.05; 200 Fly-2nd, Chadwick Leung, 1:59.20; 400 Free Relay-3rd, McCormick, Sidorenko, Schiano Dicola, Hayes, 3:10.48; 1M Diving-8th, Noah Pettit
Big 8 Conference Complete Results: https://www.swimphone.com/meets/event_order.cfm?smid=11370