GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE SWEEPS STATE TEAM TITLES
FINAL Men Standings: 1. Golden West 430, 2. Palomar 325, 3. Diablo Valley 313, 4. Cuesta 310.5; 5. Ventura 266, 6. Orange Coast 261, 7. El Camino 228, 8. West Valley 195, 9. American River 193.5; 10. Grossmont 158.
Two years after its Orange Empire Conference foe Orange Coast performed the feat, Golden West College pulled a double team championship victory at the 2013 CCCAA Swimming and Diving State Championships.
The GWC men were led by four event victories, including two by Ian Wheeler, who captured the 1,650-yard freestyle and 500 freestyle titles. The Rustlers also won the 800 freestyle relay. The Rustlers won their first men's title since 2004 and 12th in their history. Golden West head coach and State Women's Coach of the Year Mark Schubert talked about winning the double.
"We had a group of water polo players who happened to be great swimmers. I can't say enough about the way Fletcher Norseen helped us on relays with his speed. Ian Wheeler showed his endurance in winning the long freestyles. My assistant coaches, Scott Taylor, Kyle Kopp and Danny Johnson were there for our swimmers all season and were a big help to me, so I could devote more time to coaching from the pool deck."
Palomar finished a surprising state runner-up in the men's standings with 325 total points, 105 behind Golden West, while Diablo Valley rounded out the top three with 313.