The 2024 women's swimming and dive campaign is off and running and the first meet of the Orange Empire Conference schedule is in the books. Riverside City edged Orange Coast at Saddleback on Friday with both Saddleback and Golden West fighting a tight battle for third place.
Riverside City and Orange Coast both finished in the top-10 at the state finals last season, and it looks as if they both could battle for a top spot again in 2024. RCC has been knocking on the door in recent years, finishing 8th, 9th and 8th over the past three state meets dating back to 2019. Orange Coast is a perennial power, finishing third last season after winning three straight championships from 2018-2022 (no meet in 2020 or 2021).
Riverside City took the early lead last week at Saddleback when they outdueled the Pirates 545-512. RCC had just two wins on the day but had strength in numbers. The Tigers had wins from Jessie Nelson in the 200 Individual Medley (2:20.92) and Annabella Storar in the 1,650 Freestyle (19:37.10) but had 21 individual top-5 finishes to bolster their numbers.
Orange Coast took a different path and picked up six individual wins on the day. Paige Woodside pulled off a double when she won both the 100 Freestyle (56.67) and 100 Fly (1:04.31). Another with two wins was Gia Cadiz, who won both the 100 Backstroke (1:04.47) and 200 Backstroke (2:20.96). Maya Abu-Salem was a winner in the 500 Freestyle (5:45.67) while Rylie Fox took home a win in the 50 Freestyle (26.22). In total, Orange Coast had 15 individual top-5 finishes.
Saddleback edged Golden West in a tight battle for third place. The Bobcats had just 11 swimmers in the water but made the best of it in recording 327 points. Julia Reid was a workhorse for Saddleback, winning both the 100 Breaststroke (1:11.20) and 200 Breaststroke (2:36.89). In total, the Bobcats had eight top-5 finishes on the day. Golden West didn't record any wins on the afternoon but had eight individual top-5 finishes. Katy Stout-Ryder and Tyra Lee were outstanding with three top-5 finishes apiece.
OEC FINAL STANDINGS @ Saddleback
Riverside City 545
Orange Coast 512
Saddleback 327
Golden West 321
Cypress 221
Fullerton 132
Release by Brad Hoiseth, Saddleback