Marc Okimura and Maddie Lovrensky continued their strong seasons with excellent outings for the University of La Verne during its SCIAC Tri-Meet against Pomona-Pitzer, and Occidental on Saturday in Claremont.
Okimura would lead the Leopard men to a 178-108 victory over Occidental and would be place significant pressure upon the perennial SCIAC contender Sagehen's competing towards a near victorious finish versus Pomona-Pitzer, falling 154-132 to the Sagehens. The Leopard women would also put forth a solid effort but would fall 217-62 versus Pomona-Pitzer and 194-75 versus Occidental.
The day would begin with Scott MacKay (212.50) and Daniel Sillas (141.25) taking the top two spots in the 1 meter and 3 meter diving events. Next, the combination of Coleman Goode, Okimura, Felipe Avendano, and Devon Photias would finish a near 3 seconds of their competitors in the 200 yard medley (1:39.99).
The tandem of Okimura and Goode would also garner individual success on the day. Goode secured solid victories in the 100 and 200 yard backstroke with swift 54.62 and 2:01.78 finishes and a 2:00.75 first place finish in the 200 yard IM. Okimura displayed his hold on the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke events with a 58.86 finish in the 100, a time almost three seconds ahead of his competitors and 2:09.84 in the 200 yard event.
Okimura outpaced his opponents by almost eight seconds in the 200 yard breaststroke event. Cody Yeo would then contribute to the La Verne victory by capturing first place finishes in the 200 yard freestyle (1:47.17) and 500 yard freestyle (4:53.52).
On the women's front, Lovrensky would edge out Pomona-Pitzer's Jacqueline Tran to earn a victory in the 100 yard backstroke (59.05), 50 yard freestyle (24.90), and 200 yard backstroke (2:08.29).
Trailing by 4 points heading into the final 5 events, the Leopards would secure victories in the 3 of the final events, highlighted by Okimura's impressive 200 yard breaststroke effort, Yeo's staggering 4:53.52 in the 500 yard freestyle, and Coleman Goode's 2:01.78 finish in the 200 yard backstroke. Goode, Okimura, and Yeo's efforts would put pressure on the Sagehens heading into the final event the 400 yard freestyle relay. The Sagehens would put together the fastest SCIAC time in the relay to defeat the Leopards.
The Leopards return to the pool January 19th when they host Caltech in a SCIAC dual meet at the La Verne Aquatics Center, Start time is 11:00 am.
