Costa Mesa, Estancia repeat as champs

They may or may not have enjoyed it, but the coaches at Costa Mesa and Estancia’s had reason to smile after being pushed into the pool following Thurday’s Golden West League swimming finals at Orange High.

Costa Mesa won the boys’ competition for the fourth straight year, with the Mustangs’ 347 points outpacing Estancia’s 264 points. The Eagles repeated as girls’ champs , with their 424 points topping Costa Mesa’s 333.

“I feel happy for the seniors, the two guys who have stuck with it, Chris (Medina) and Nick (Fisk),” said a slightly-wet Mustang boys’ Coach Tim Postiff after his team’s fourth-straight title. “We also had a lot of freshmen and sophomores step up for us.”

The Mustangs boys had just one individual double-winner, James Fowler in the 50-yard freestyle and 100 freestyle. .

“It was just amazing how we won with skill, while everybody tried to beat us with numbers,” Medina said. “We only have nine people on varsity, so it felt pretty good.”

For the Estancia girls, it was the second straight league title. They were led by Shea Kopp, who already owned the league 100 backstroke record but outdid herself with a finals mark of 1:00.01.

“I was really hoping for a 59 (seconds), but that’s the best I could do,” Kopp said with a grin.

Kopp also defended her league title in the 100 freestyle.

“I’ve been here six years, and now (Estancia) has a consistency of coaching and knowing who’s going to be there,” said Eagles girls’ Coach Bob Bandaruk. “That’s what they take to respond, and these girls have done nothing but respond. “

A Kunert won the 200 and 500 freestyle for both of Estancia’s teams. Chad Kunert took the boys’ 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle, while younger sister Meagan took the girls’ events.

Chad Kunert ended his Golden West League career as a four-time 500 freestyle league champion.

“It’s awesome,” Kunert said. “To say four-time 500 champion, it’s something where you leave high school feeling proud of yourself. I’ve wanted to complete it since my freshman year when I won the first time. The Kunert family, we did great today.”

Chad Kunert and Fowler were named co-swimmers of the meet on the boys’ side, as were Meagan Kunert and Kopp on the girls’ side.

For the Costa Mesa girls, Andrea Beyoaju took a pair of firsts in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. Patricia Marty won the 100 butterfly.

Estancia’s boys also took second place, which Coach John Carpenter said was their best finish in years. They were led by Kunert and Andrew Fassari, a two-event champion in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke.

Estancia’s Carolina Barnes won the girls’ 50 freestyle, and teamed with Katie Mahan, Susan Cloud and Sydney Barloon to win the 200 freestyle relay. Costa Mesa took the girls’ 400 freestyle relay in thrilling fashion, holding off Estancia.