MORGAN SMITH WINS 200 FLY FOR BULLDOGS SECOND STATE TITLE

May 6, 2016

Morgan Smith became College of San Mateo's second women's swimming champion in as many days Saturday, coming on strong in the final 50 yards to win the 200 yard butterfly at the California Community College Athletic Association Championships at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park.

Smith won in 2 minutes, 7.62 seconds over early pacesetter and prelims leader Madison Faulkner of Chabot, who finished well back in second place in 2:09.58. No other swimmer bettered 2:10. Smith also avenged a loss to Faulkner at the Coast Conference championships (in 2:07.90) – and finished the season with the state's top time of the season. Faulkner led through the 150 mark, but Smith came home fastest -- in 32.59.

Erica Vong followed up on her 100 yard backstroke title on Friday with a bronze medal in the 200 yard backstroke on Saturday in 2:03.13. Defending state champion and record holder Madison Varisco of Golden West won in 2:02.24.

Vong gave CSM a huge leadoff lead in the concluding 400-yard free relay, splitting 52.71. Golden West was in second with a 53.20 first leg. Although the Bulldogs finished sixth in 3:39.72, they still broke the Coast Conference record in the event to complete a sweep of Coast records in all five relays this season.

Smith had a fast 53.43 anchor following good swims by Gabby Montoya and Brittani Byrne. Orange Coast pulled away for the win, with anchor (and 5-time individual freestyle gold medalist) Rebecca Aguilar posting the day's fastest 100 leg at 50.90.

CSM TOP BAY AREA TEAM: San Mateo, with just four women (all of them earning All-America honors), finished sixth in the team scoring with 234 points and was the top Bay Area team!

All of the other top teams had at least twice as many swimmers. Orange Coast, with 15 state qualifiers, tallied 569 points to win the team championship by a 232 point margin over runner-up Sierra (337). Las Positas (232.5) was sixth, Foothill (196) ninth, and Diablo Valley (133.5) eleventh. All had more swimmers and many more entry positions.

CSM MEDAL TALLY: two golds, four silvers, two bronze.

Coast Conference record tally at state: Erica Vong, 100 and 200 back, 200 individual medley; Morgan Smith, 100 and 200 fly; team (Vong, Montoya, Byrne, Smith): 200 and 400 free relays, 200 medley relay.