Orange Coast College edged a crowded field at the opening Orange Empire Conference meet of the season at Golden West College on Friday in Huntington Beach.  The Pirated edged Golden West in what turned out to be a very tight meet.

If the opening meet of OEC men's swimming season is any indication, the battle for the conference title is going to very close in late April.  Orange Coast finished with 531 points to finish in first place, but Golden West was close with 501 and Riverside City (434) and Saddleback (401) were not that far back in the rear-view mirror. 

Orange Coast won nine events, with Dawson Sloan winning the 200 Individual Medley (1:58.20), Reece Hemmens the 50 Freestyle (20.30) and 100 Freestyle (45.57), Doran Papp the 200 Freestyle (1:49.52), Taylor Whitmore the 100 Backstroke (53.23), Alexis Stagni the 200 Backstroke (2:00.90), Elliott Prybil the 1,650 Freestyle (17:04.00), Philip Keidel the 3-meter dive (157.88) and the 200 Medley Relay Team capturing first place (1:35.92). 

The Orange Empire Conference will compete again at Riverside City College on March 27. 

Teams from the Orange Empire Conference have captured 25 state titles since 1984, and 33 since the sport was added in 1948.  Golden West has won 16 state championships to lead the state.