OCC Teams Take Early Win

Under threatening skies and scattered showers, the Orange Coast College men’s and women’s swim teams gained an early season boost thanks in part to several season-best swims Friday.

The Pirates competed in a tri-team meet against Golden West and Cypress College at Golden West.

The Lady Pirates were able to clinch victory on the final event of the meet, the 200-yard freestyle relay. OCC placed first and second in the event, with the B relay team finishing ahead of the A team. 

Kessy Hicky swam the 50-yard freestyle in 24.82 seconds and anchored the winning 200-yard free relay, with a time of and 24.58 seconds.

“We had strong swims all around,” swim coach Anthony Iacopetti said.

Cole Othmer, a 19-year-old fire science major, posted a personal best 2:00 in the 200-yard backstroke, placing first in that event.

“It seems like everyone is showing improvement,” Othmer said.

In one of the closest events of the meet, the 100-yard freestyle, Sean Richards and Tim Pullman finished second and third respectfully. Each posted season best times in the event.

Richards came in at a blistering 47.48 seconds with Pullman just behind at 48.28 seconds.

Garrett Glore was narrowly edged out of first place in the men’s 200-yard breaststroke, but posted a team best time in the event of 2:13.55.

Gavin Wright, a 19-year-old English major, is a distance specialist, tasked with swimming the 500 and 1,000-yard freestyle races. Wright noted that the rain and wind augmented the hard work every swimmer has been putting in.

“Although I personally did alright, it’s never fun to be waiting on the [diving] block in the rain and wind,” Wright said. “But when you work as hard as us, we know that if you want to succeed as much as you want to breathe, you’ll be successful.”

Iacopetti voiced optimism in his team’s overall performance as well as what he expects of them for the rest of the season.

“Both our teams are top ranked in state, and we have the potential to go all the way,” Iacopetti said.

The men’s and women’s swim teams are scheduled to compete in the Las Positas Invitational Friday.