SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don / eldonnews . org • MONDAY , APRIL 3 , 2017 SPORTS 11
TRACK Winning Ways
The Santa Ana College track team dominated against Golden West and Fullerton March 24 for the Orange Empire Double Dual .
Sophomores Paulino Sanchez and Toni Lopez both came in first place in the Men ’ s and Women ’ s 800m run .
“ I feel stronger now than the first race we had this season ,” Lopez said .
Freshman Sprinter Cydnee Wallace also won first place in both the Women ’ s 100m and 200m Dash , being only . 29 seconds away from breaking the school record from 2006 with 12.79 .
Unfortunately , it wasn ’ t the same for every runner . Freshman Diana Giraldo was frustrated after her race where she made it in last place in the 400m Dash .
“ I felt like I couldn ’ t finish my race ,” Giraldo Said . She brought it back during the 200m Dash coming in fourth with 29.21 seconds after coach Mitzel gave her a pep talk to boost up her spirits .
Overall , it was a good day for the Dons who are headed to San Francisco University March 31 for the next meet .
“ Today I felt lonely I ’ m used to chasing the runner for first ,” Sanchez said .
— Ruby Nuñez
FREESTYLE / Freshman Katy Salgado fights for her place at Orange Empire Conference Invititational / RUBY NUÑEZ / el Don
SWIMMING / STORY AND PHOTOS BY RUBY NUÑEZ
REYES BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
T
he Santa Ana College swim team has struggled for the past few years , but Head Coach Al Reyes is working to rebuild and unite a team that was in shambles just two years ago . When the women ’ s team coach quit , Reyes found himself suddenly in charge of both the men and women swimmers , who were barely a team at all .
“ Two years ago , was not a fit , the women were not happy but I was only coaching the men ’ s team [ at SAC ] at that time ,” Coach Reyes said . But the team has high hopes , there are eight women currently on the team and it will grow double for next season . Currently , only two male swimmers are part of the team because four male swimmers were lost this season due to injuries or academic reasons . “ Our expectations are high and if you can ’ t make the minimum requirement for school you can ’ t be on our team ,” Reyes said . Freshman Jazmin Vega established a standard in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 3.25.70 and Freshman Kaylah Margo took the record spot this year for both the 50-yard freestyle at 24.48.71 and the 400- yard individual Medley at 6.34.92 .
“ I ’ m so proud of the women , they are working so hard ,” Coach Reyes said . All things considered , the swimmers still have a long way to go . Friday , March 24 during the 2017 Orange Empire Conference Invite at Golden West , most Santa Ana College swimmers were unable to keep up with other schools like Riverside and Golden West who led the meet . As a whole , SAC came in last place with total points of 78 for both the men and women races . Freshman Martin Rodriguez struggled in the Men ’ s 400-yard Individual Medley coming in last place with a time of 5.22.34 . “ I had difficulty because this was my first time doing that race , I wasn ’ t conditioned enough ,” Rodriguez said . Regardless , the swimmers are focusing on making their team stronger . “ A strong swimmer is a confident one ,” Reyes said .
RECORDBREAKERS
After two years of frustration , Head Coach Al Reyes fights for SAC ’ s swim team .
Kaylah Margo : Broke two records this season . 50-yard Freestyle and the 400-yard Individual Medley .
Jazmin Vega : Established a standard this season with a 200-yard butterfly .
Coach Reyes : “ I ’ m so proud of the women , they are working so hard .”