There was a fantastic atmosphere at the Long Beach Poly Natatorium on Wednesday where the Jackrabbits hosted Wilson in a Moore League swimming dual meet.
The capacity crowd filled the bleachers and lined the pool deck to support the swimmers. Despite emotions running high every time these old rivals face each other, there were only loud cheers during all levels of racing on Wednesday, and not a single boo could be heard.
“For all the levels it’s really exciting,” Poly girls’ coach Kalani Caldwell said. “Sometimes you can’t hear because the cheering is so loud, even for a FroshSoph event, and that’s really cool.”
“Anytime you clash the Bruins and the Jackrabbits it’s always something memorable,” Wilson boys’ coach Eric Berg said.
The Wilson boys got a little bit of revenge with a 103-66 win over Poly. The Jackrabbits ended the Bruins’ league meet winning streak two years ago in the Natatorium. Wilson took eight of the 11 races as freshman Hank Rivers led the way with victories in the 200 Medley Relay, 50 freestyle, 200 Freestyle Relay and 100 backstroke.
“Today was a dress rehearsal for the events we’re going to be getting into,” Berg said with league finals next week, and CIF after that. “We’re about 92 percent prepped as far as guys being in the right spots.”
The Poly girls have now gone undefeated in league meets for the last five years after beating Wilson 112-58. The Jackrabbits won all but one race as Josie Liebzeit led the way with wins in the 200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle, 500 Freestyle and 200 Freestyle Relay. Georgia Buffington won the 100 Freestyle with teammates Fernanda Garcia and Emily Lester finishing right behind her in second and third.
“Traditionally, Wilson is really strong in the freestyle events because of the water polo carryover,” Caldwell said. “I’m really excited that my girls are able to match them, and now exceed in the freestyle events because we’ve been working hard on it.”
The Moore League finals will be hosted at Cabrillo next week. The boys finals are at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, and the girls finals are at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Girls Results
200 Medley Relay: Poly (Liebezeit, Cassiano, Quach, Lester) 1:51.57
200 Freestyle: Josie Liebzeit, Poly 1:57.00
200 Individual Medley: Peyton Caranza, Wilson 2:33.98
50 Freestyle: Emily Lester, Poly 25.49
100 Butterfly: Victoria Quach, Poly 1:00.92
100 Freestyle: Georgia Buffington, Poly 54.97
500 Freestyle: Josie Liebzeit, Poly 5:13.79
200 Freestyle Relay: Poly (Garcia, Liebzeit, Buffington, Lester)1:42.29
100 Backstroke: Victoria Quach, Poly 1:01.94
100 Breaststroke: Kate Cassiano, Poly 1:10.85
400 Freestyle Relay: Poly (Garcia, Knapp, Salcedo, Buffington) 3:46.33
Boys Results
200 Medley Relay: Wilson (Abouelela, Rivers, Berg, Carson) 1:47.58
200 Freestyle: Mazen Abouelela, Wilson 1:49.97
200 Individual Medley: Brandon Samaniego, Wilson 2:01.63
50 Freestyle: Hank Rivers, Wilson 21.85
100 Butterfly: Casey Lait, Poly 53.82
100 Freestyle: Garrett Lundeen, Poly 50.11
500 Freestyle: Brandon Samaniego, Wilson 4:44.01
200 Freestyle Relay: Wilson (Rivers, Berg, Carson, Nantais) 1:30.69
100 Backstroke: Casey Lait, Poly 55.36
100 Breaststroke: Hank Rivers, Wilson 1:00.89
400 Freestyle Relay: Wilson (Berg, Prosser, Fields, Arcese) 3:25.71
