OCC leads early at swim finals

MISSION VIEJO ? Orange Coast College won a total of six events and took the opening day lead at the Orange Empire Conference swimming and diving championships Thursday at Saddleback College.

The OCC women won the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1 minute, 40.38 seconds, and the 400-yard medley relay in 4:10.01. Jackie Palmero, Tuesday Schellinger, Ashley Maher and Tiffany Gubala swam the 200 freestyle relay, and Palmero, Schellinger, Hailey Barker and Jeanette Demeneces swam on the 400 medley relay.

Demeneces finished third in the 100 individual medley (1:04.12), followed by teammates Gubala (1:04.94) and Jessica Cook (1:05.36). Palmero took third in the 50 freestyle (24.87).

On the men’s side, the Pirates won the 200 freestyle relay (1:24.08) and 400 medley relay (3:31.59). Kevin McCoy, Andrew Simo, David Hwang and Michael Fessenden formed the 200 freestyle relay team, and McCoy, Nathan Wilcox, Kevin Celinder and Miles Sonnenfeld swam the 400 medley relay.

Fessenden also won the 50 freestyle (20.63), and Justin Taylor won the three-meter diving title. Brian Givens took second in the 200 individual medley (1:58.59).

The meet continues today at Saddleback.

WOMEN’S WATER POLO