Bakersfield College’s swim team hosted the Western State Conference Championships on April 19-21, and BC broke six school records along with five swimmers going to state.
Matt Prasser broke the record in the men’s 50 freestyle with a time of 21.26.
Francesca Wyatt improved on her record in the women’s 1650 freestyle with a time of 18 minutes 21.11 seconds, and Joshua Delarosa broke the record in the men’s 200 backstroke with 1:54.22.
Also, the men’s 200 and 400 medley relays broke school records along with the men’s 400 freestyle relay.
Prasser, Delarosa, Jake Reed, Wyatt and Catherine Lugo all advanced to state.
“We did great,” said Prasser. “Everyone did really well, and it seemed everyone was doing their best time, if not close to it.
“A lot of us were relieved to see that eight months of hard work has really paid off.”
BC coach Charlie Pike commented on how the team performed.
“They did awesome,” said Pike. “Our kids were dropping time in everything, and all the hard work they put in really paid off in the WSC Championships.”
He added that he was devastated that his three men’s relay teams didn’t qualify for state.
“I couldn’t sleep for two days because the top 12 make it and we got 13 by hundreds of a second,” he said.
“It’s a weird formula they have for relays.
“If one of your relays make it in the top 12 then all the other relays get to go to state as well, so there are some relay teams that are slower than us.”
BC as a team took fourth with 855 behind Ventura College (1,526), Cuesta College (1,219) and Santa Monica College (946).
Pike added that he was happy to see Prasser break a record he’s had his eye on.
“I was really happy and stoked because Matt has had his eye on that record the whole year,” he said.
“He’s been getting closer with each meet and to see him break it was exciting.”
Prasser commented on breaking a record that was held for over 20 years.
“It was amazing,” he said. “Ever since I came here I asked Coach what the record was, and I’m happy that I finally got it.
“All I could do is just say, ‘thank you Jesus.’
“There are records that I wanted, but I thought this was the most achievable.
“I believe everything Coach told me and it helped me accomplish the record.”
Prasser added that he thought that having their home pool was very important.
“I know we would’ve done good if it was somewhere else, but I don’t think we would’ve done as good,” he said.
Reed also had an impressive time in the anchor leg of the men’s 200 medley relay. He would’ve broken Prasser’s record for the 50 freestyle, but since it was a relay, individual times don’t count as a record.
“I’ve been doing really well, and I’ve been able to drop time on everything,” he said.
“Everything is going well for me and I feel great, so hopefully I can continue to do better and work on the small things like starts and turns.”
Pike also explained that Lugo strained her shoulder, which is the same shoulder she had injured a month ago.
But Pike says that she will be able to swim at state.
“It’s hit or miss at state, so we’ll see,” said Pike.
“The top eight get medals, and I really would like to see all of them get medals.”