Women's Swim Finishes 2nd In SCC Duals

Lancer Maryjane Martinez in action in a recent meet.
Lancer Maryjane Martinez in action in a recent meet.

The Pasadena City College women's swim team won 12 of 14 events Friday in closing the South Coast Conference dual meet season Friday, defeating host Cerritos, 152-96, and LA Trade Tech, 168-84. Despite a 7-1 conference record, the Lancers placed second overall behind Mt. San Antonio (8-0).

After missing the previous meet due to illness, sophomore Melissa Cienega swam to victories in the 100-yard backstroke (1:05.46), 200 backstroke (2:20.48), and 200 individual medley (2:15.57). Letterman Jocelyn Jo also picked up three wins in the 100 breaststroke (1:11.44), 200 breaststroke (2:34.43), and 100 butterfly (1:06.33). Sophomore Sharon Perez scored first in the 50 freestyle (26.58) and 100 freestyle (1:00.59) while Lindsay Jensen won the 500 freestyle (6:16.09) and Maryjane Martinez won the 200 butterfly (2:52.12). 

PCC won the 200 medley relay behind Martinez, Jo, Cienega and Josie King at 2:08.11, then closed the meet with another victory in the 400 freestyle relay by Jensen, Dain Kim, Erica Sanchez and Perez in 4:29 flat. 

Pasadena (8-2 overall) once again won the majority of events throughout the dual season and will go to battle with Mt. SAC at the Mounties-hosted SCC Championships on April 19-21. 

"Individually, we've been so strong in the last several years due to having some really gifted swimmers like Cienega and Jo," said PCC head coach Terry Stoddard. "I wasn't sure how we would do team-wise but to take second place in the dual season is a great achievement. Our secondary swimmers have helped us with points. We still have some big meets ahead of us to get our best times entering the state meet."

This Friday-Saturday, April 6-7, the Lancers host the 18th Pasadena Invitational. Diving only takes place on Thursday, April 5.