Lancers Defeat D-I Bakersfield

Saturday, November 4

Riverside, Calif.

12:00 PM

California Baptist University

169

131

Bakersfield

Photo by: Andrew Shortall

Lancers Defeat D-I Bakersfield

11/4/2017 4:11:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Swimming and Diving

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

RESULTS

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – With its transition to NCAA Division I and the Western Athletic Conference looming, California Baptist University got a chance to show it's ready with a dual win over future D-I and WAC foe Bakersfield on Saturday afternoon at the Lancer Aquatics Center.

The 10^th-ranked Lancers in Division II defeated the Roadrunners on a score of 169-131, behind several impressive performances. CBU's divers paved the way for victory, as it went first, second and fourth on both boards. It brings the Lancers' dual record to 2-0 this season in their first full home meet of the season.

"I didn't expect to win by that large of a margin, I thought it would come down to the last relay, but we won a lot of events today," Coach Rick Rowland said. "Diving was really quite strong, going one-two on both boards was huge. Those points really helped."

Zach Parry won both diving events, with 294.38 points at 1-meter and 303.98 points on 3-meter, which were both NCAA Division II Championship qualifiers. Garret Chew took second on both boards and just eclipsed the 3-meter standard of 295 with 295.35 points and posted a 275.40 on the 1-meter. Zane Freeman finished fourth in both events, as well with 240.08 and 216.90 points on the 1 and 3-meter boards, respectively.

"Anytime we can sweep first and second on both boards against a Division I program, the athletes are doing something right," Dive Coach Jeff Couto said. "Zach was outstanding and Garret qualified for nationals on both boards today, and I anticipate him to be a top-eight athlete in the division."

CBU got off to a great start with a win in the 200-yard medley relay, thanks to Jacob Leahy, Scott Tolman, Justin Quiroga and Jerome Heidrich winning in less than a second with a time of one minute, 31.82 seconds. The Lancers' Adrien Deloffre, Alexis Ohmar, Tanner Shore and Heidrich then finished off the dual with a win in the 400-free relay (3:03.59).

"We won both relays today and when you can bookend a meet like that and be consistent like we were throughout, that's what it comes down to," Rowland said.

Robert Griffith looked very much the part of a senior leader for the Lancers, with wins in the 1000 (9:40.44) and 500 freestyles (4:44.34). Josh Fluetsch took second in the 500 free by .09 of a second (4:47.58), while true freshman Colton Babcock took third in the 1000 (9:48.44).

"Rob swam like a captain, he was getting guys fired up all day," Rowland said.

Despite missing the first two weeks of the season, Tolman showed little rust and won the 100 and 200 breaststrokes with times of 56.99 and 2:04.76, respectively. Sean Foster gave CBU a big one-and-three finish in the 200 breast, with his 2:08.10 securing him bronze.

"Tolman is getting back in shape, his times aren't there yet but they will be," Rowland said. "He is posting some good times considering he was sitting still for almost two weeks."

The Lancers also swept first and second in the 400 individual medley, with Brandon Schuster in front (4:01.44) and just off the consideration time (4:01.40) and Quiroga in second (4:08.26).

Heidrich won the 200 free in 1:40.52, which was .21 of a second off the B cut in D-II, while Schuster was right on his tail in second (1:40.90).

"There were so many races that came down to touch outs today," Rowland said. "The difference today was about closing speed coming down to the walls and finishing strong with really good closing splits in multiple races today. I can't be happier with how we swam and finished today."

CBU put together a number of runner-up finishes, as well, for big points in the win. Ohmar took second in the 100 back (52.34) and 100 free (46.67), while Quiroga added two more second-place marks in the 100 (50.23) and 200 butterflies (1:54.37). Heidrich and Schuster also took second in the 50 free (21.09) and 200 back (1:53.13), respectively.

"We are going to gain steam as the season goes on," Rowland said. "I really think this men's team could be one the deepest and strongest we have ever had."