A momentous evening for the University of La Verne included historic performances from two of their stars on Day 2 of the SCIAC Swimming & Diving Championships Monday in La Mirada.
Sophomore Madeline Lovrensky continued to roll at the championships as she captured the women's 100-yard backstroke for the second consecutive season, posting a winning time of 56.56 in Monday evening's final. Earlier in the day, Lovrensky set a meet record in the preliminaries, clocking in at 56.36 to set a new conference meet standard.
Lovrensky will attempt to repeat her SCIAC double from a year ago when she competes in the women's 200-yard backstroke on Tuesday.
Junior Marc Okimura also sparkled at the championships in the 100-yard breaststroke, placing second overall with a lifetime best of 55.86, slicing more than a second off his previous best. Okimura was edged by Occidental's Steven van Deventer, who posted a time of 55.70 to capture the event.
For Okimura, the performance was the fifth fastest time in Division III this season also met the NCAA 'A' cut standard, ensuring a berth at the upcoming NCAA Championship meet.
"I couldn't be happier for Marc tonight," said Leopard head coach Pat Skehan. "He put the race together and now he's rewarded by trip to nationals. To take almost a second and a half off his previous best is truly remarkable."
The La Verne men were also bolstered by the efforts of junior Jacob Tittl, who earned yet another second place in the diving competition, this time garnering the runner-up spot in the men's 3-meter event with a score of 387.30. Leopard freshman Scott Mackay also earned points for the Leos with a sixth-place finish (304.30).
Other Leopard scorers included Devon Photias in the men's 100-yard butterfly with a 12th place finish in 53.21, and junior Sammy Shiomoto, who finished 13th overall in the women's 100-yard butterfly in 1:00.24.
The SCIAC Championships conclude tomorrow with the 1650-yard freestyle, the 200-yard backstroke, the 100-yard freestyle, the 200-yard breaststroke, the 200-yard butterfly and the 400-yard freestyle relay for both the men and the women.
