Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving

2013 Schedule and Roster

Palomar's men swim to second in state again

MONTEREY PARK (4-27-2013) -- Led by Wyatt Woodward (left) and Neil Fogel, Palomar took home a second-place team finish for the second straight year in the men's portion of the three-day CCCAA Swimming & Diving Championships at East Los Angeles College  Swim Stadium.

Golden West won the men's title with 430 points, with the Comets second with 325 points and Diablo Valley third with 313 points in the 34-team field.

Woodward finished second in the 200-yard backstroke in 1:51.43 and Fogel was second in the 1650 freestyle in 16:00.56 as the Comets moved up from third place after Day 2 to finish second in

team scoring for the second straight season.

Also on the final day, Geoff Jameson swam a 46.52 to finish fifth in the 100 freestyle.

And the Palomar men's 400 freestyle relay team placed fourth with Fogel, Onoue, David Smithers and Geoff Jameson swimming 3:07.50.

Kylie Brown placed third in the 100 backstroke with a 58:13 on the final day to led Palomar to a 20th-place finish with 45 points. Golden West also won the women's team title, scoring 445 points.

Palomar's Scott Lawson was named state Men's Coach of the Year.

Fogel, Woodward are PCAC Athletes of Week

SAN DIEGO (4-30-2013) -- Palomar swimmers Neil Fogel (left) and Wyatt Woodward (right) have been selected as Pacific Coast Conference Men's Athletes of the Week for all sports.

Fogel, a freshman from Palma High School in Salinas and a transfer from the University of San Diego, and Woodward, a sophomore from Palm Springs High, helped lead the Comets' men's team to second behind champion Golden West in the CCCAA Swimming and Diving Championships at East Los Angeles College Swim Stadium.

Fogel placed second in the state to Golden West's Ian Wheeler in the 1650-yard freestyle, swimming a 16:00.56, and to second to Diablo Valley's Monty Randall in the 100 butterfly, swimming a 50.56.

Fogel also placed fourth in the 500 freestyle in 4:32.56. And he was a member of Palomar teams that finished second in the 800 freestyle relay, fourth in the 400 freestyle relay and fifth in the 200 freestyle relay.

Woodward, who also was a member of the 2012 Palomar team that also finished second in the state, also brought home a pair of state runner-up finishes. He was second to Ventura's Henry Chung in the 200 backstroke, swimming a 1:51.43, and placed second behind Modesto's Tim Richard in the 200 individual medley, swimming a 1:52.10.

Woodward also took home an eighth place in the 200 freestyle with a 1:43.40. In addition, he helped the Comets to a second place in the 800 freestyle relay and a second in the 200 medley relay, a fifth in the 200 freestyle relay and a sixth in the 400 medley relay.

Comets still in 3rd entering final day at state

CCCAAMONTEREY PARK (4-26-2013) -- Palomar remained in third place in men's team scoring in the CCCAA Swimming & Diving Championships after Saturday's second day at East Los Angeles College Swim Stadium.

Golden West enters Saturday's third and final day with 272 points. Cuesta has 233 points and Palomar has 227 points.

Neil Fogel brought home a second place for the Comets in the 100-yard butterfly, swimming a 50.56.

Palomar also took second in the 200 medley relay (David Smithers, Wyatt Woodward, Fogel and Geoff Jameson in 1:33.98) and 800 freestyle relay (Fogel, Misaki Onoue, Jameson and Woodward in 6:46.33).

Onoue finished fourth in the 400 individual medley with a 4:07.49. Woodward was eighth in the 200 freestyle in 1:43.40.

In the women's meet, the Comets' Kylie Brown placed fourth in the 50 backstroke with a 27.43 and was fifth in the 200 freestyle in 1:56.22

Palomar 3rd after first day in CCCAA State Finals

Palomar in third place in state meet after Day 1

MONTEREY PARK (4-25-2013) -- Coming off a second-place state finish last season, Palomar started out with a strong performance in the 2013 CCCAA State Men's Swimming & Diving  Championships on Thursday.

Led by a second-place finish in the 200 individual medley by Wyatt Woodward (left), coach Jem McAdams' Comets are third out of 22 scoring teams after the first of three days of competition at East Los Angeles College.

Woodward swam a 1:52.10 in the IM to finish behind only Modesto's Tim Richard, who had a 1:49.04.

Golden West leads with 144 points after the first day, with Cuesta second with 118 points and the Comets third with 109. Ventura (97) and Orange Coast are fourth and fifth, while Pacific Coast Athletic Conference champion Grossmont is ninth with 50 points.

Palomar's Neil Fogel placed fourth in 4:32.56 and Misaki Onoue was seventh at 4:38.39 in the 500 freestyle.

Geoff Jameson, Fogel, David Smithers and Woodward swam a 1:24.54 to take fifth in the 200 freestyle relay. Smithers, Onoue, Woodward and Jameson finished sixth in the 400 medley relay with a 3:30.20.

Jameson swam to an eighth place in the 50 freestyle with a 21.85.

Golden West has 146 points to lead the women's meet over second-place Diablo Valley (125). Palomar was scoreless after Day 1.

PC's men's 400 free team finishes with record

SAN MARCOS (4-20-2013) -- Palomar's men's 400-yard relay team of Neil Fogel, Wyatt Woodward (left), Misaki Onoue and Geoff Jameson set a meet record of 3:07.63 in the final event of the three-day Pacific Coast Athletic Conference swimming championships on Saturday.

Fogel, Woodward, Onoue and Jameson broke the mark of 3:07.85 set by Palomar in 2012.

Woodward, Onoue and Kylie Brown, of the Comets' women's team, won individual events Saturday to cap off outstanding performances in the  meet. Woodward captured gold in the 200 backstroke in 1:55.25, Onoue won the 1650 freestyle in 16:28.84 and Brown won the 100 free in 54.35.

Grossmont (1,018  points) and Palomar (653) placed 1-2 in men's team scoring. San Diego Mesa (591) and Southwestern(436) inished third and forth. In the women's meet, Mesa won with 997 points, followed by Grossmont (783), the Comets (427) and Southwestern (408).

Brown, Woodward pick up where they left off

SAN MARCOS (4-19-2013) -- Palomar's Kyle Brown (left) and Wyatt Woodward (right) picked up where they left off after Day 1 on the second day of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Swimming Championships on Friday at Wallace Memorial Pool.

Brown won both the women's 50-yard butterfly in 27.1 and the 200 freestyle in 1:56.20 to go along with her meet record time of 59.65 in the 100 backstroke leg of the 200 medley relay on Thursday.

Woodward, who set a meet mark of 1:54.16 in winning the men's 200 individual medley on Thursday, came back Friday to win the 200 freestyle in 1:43.12, easily defeating Grossmont's Joe Converse (1:49.20) in second place.

Woodward also teamed with Neil Fogel, Misaki Onoue and David Smithers to win the 800 freestyle relay in 6:59.55.

Other Friday winners for the Palomar men's team were Onoue with a 4:11.16 in the 400 IM and Fogel with a 52.24 i the 100 butterfly.

The meet concludes Saturday at Wallace Memorial Pool, beginning at 9 a.m.

Woodward, Brown set marks on 1st day of finals

SAN MARCOS (4-18-2013 -- Palomar's Wyatt Woodward (left) and Kylie Brown (right) set set new meet records on Thursday on the first day of the three-day Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Swimming & Diving finals being hosted by the Comets at Wallace Memorial Pool.

Woodward swam a 1:54.16 to win the men's 200-yard individual medley. That broke the meet mark of 1:54.38 by Palomar's Kody Moffatt in the 2012 meet.

Brown, swimming in the women's 400 medley relay, clocked a 59.65, breaking the meet 100 backstroke record of 1:00.83 by Grossmont's Riley Peterman, also in 2012.

After the first of three days, Grossmont leads the men's meet with 302 points, Palomar is second with 203 points, followed by San Diego Mesa with 197 and Suthwestern with 130.

Helped along by a strong performance in last week's diving portion of the meet, Mesa leads the women's meet with 305 points, followed by Grossmont (150), Palomar (124) and Southwestern (114).

The meet continues Friday and concludes Saturday

Comets drop a close one at Riverside 136-134

RIVERSIDE (4-05-2013) -- Misaki Onoue, Wyatt Woodward and Andrew Martis swam to double victories on Friday, but visiting the Palomar men's team fell two points short in a 136-134 non-conference loss to Riverside City College.

Onoue (left, file photo from 2012 season by Hugh Cox) won the 1650-yard freestyle, touching out RCC's Nathan Diaz by 0.09 seconds. He also swam a 4:21.19 to edge Woodward (4:22.85) in the 400 individual medley.

Woodward brought home victories in the 200 freestyle in 1:45.29 and the 200 backstroke in 1:57.93.

Martis captured first places in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.47) and 200 breaststroke (2:33.87).

The Palomar men also got wins from Geoff Jameson at 48.89 in the 100 freestyle and Neil Fogel at 4:57.99 in the 500 freestyle.

David Smithers, Onoue, fogel and Jameson won the 200 medley relay in 1:40.67. Jameson, Fogel, Smithers and Woodwards swam to a first place in the 200 freestyle relay in 1:28.50.

The Tigers swam to a 172-72 victory in the women's meet. The Comets won two events -- the 500 freestyle (Michelle Thornbury in 5:51.13) and the 50 butterfly (Kylie Brown in 29:51).

PC sweeps Jaguars behind Onoue, Fogel, Brown

SAN MARCOS (3-19-2013) -- Misaki Onoue, Neil Fogel and Kylie Brown each swam to triple wins in individual events on Wednesday as Palomar won both the men's and women's meets against Southwestern at Wallace Memorial Pool.

The men's team won 170-87 and the women recorded their first Pacific Coast Athletic Conference victory 140-128.

In the men's meet, Onoue won the1000-yard freestyle in 9:57.38, the 200  butterfly in 2:26.38 and the 500 freestyle in 5:33.64 and Fogel swept to victories in the 100 backstroke (58.88), 200 backstroke (2:11.61) and 100 butterfly (58.92).

In the women's meet, Brown took the 200 freestyle in 2:15.16, the 100 freestyle in 59.42 and the 50 butterfly with a 29.66.

Palomar's other men's winners were David Smithers (1:56.54 in the 200 freestyle), Wyatt Woodward (2:14.13 in the 100 individual medley) and both the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams.

Also winning for Comets' women's team: Casey Reid (34.23 in the 50 backstroke), Ariana Lyons (37.31 in the 50 breaststroke) Yuki Hata (1:08.26 in the 200 butterfly, Michelle Thornbury (1:15.43 in the 100 backstroke) and the 200 medley relay team.

The Palomar men advanced to 2-1. The women are 1-2.

ABOVE: Palomar's Misaki Onouie wins the 200-yard butterfly in 2:26.38. -- Photo by Hugh Cox

Onoue, Woodward, Brown take triple wins

SAN DIEGO (3-15-2013) -- Misaki Onoue, Wyatt Woodward and Kylie Brown (left) each recorded triple victories on Friday, but Palomar dropped Pacific Coast Conference swim meets to host Grossmont at the Joan Kroc Center.

The Griffins used a combination of depth and a sweep of the diving points to win the men's meet 155-139 and the women's meet 196-83.

Onoue brought home  victories in the men's 1000-yard freestyle (9:53.90), the 200 breaststroke (2:12.16) and the 200 individual medley (2:01.03). Woodward won the men's 200 freestyle in 1:52.87, the 100 breaststroke in 59.49 and the 500 freestyle in 5:14.96.

Brown placed first in the women's 200 freestyle (2:01.50), the 500 freestyle (5:39.91) and the 50 butterfly (28.57).

Neil Fogel was a double winner for the men's team in the 200 and 100 butterfly events. Geoff Jamison won the 50 free and David Smithers took the 200 backstroke.

Palomar's men's team also took victories in the 200 medley relay and and 200 freestyle relay.

Yuki Hata (100 butterfly) and Marisa Iraheta (100 IM) also captured wins for the Palomar women.

Relay DQ costs PC; Woodward, Onoue triple

RIVERSIDE (3-09-2013) -- A relay disqualification cost Palomar's men's swimmers the team championship in the Chaffey Invitational meet that concluded a two-day run on Saturday at Riverside City College's Aquatics Complex. The Comets placed third with 555.5 points in an 11-team field.

Two Comets were triple winners in individual events -- Wyatt Woodward right) in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:49.42, the 200 free in 1:45.50 and the 200 backstroke in 2:02.80; and Masaki Onoue in the 200 individual medley in 2:00.12, the 400 IM  in 4:16.43 and the 1650 freestyle in 16:49,47.

The Palomar women placed eighth with 179 points.

ABOVE: Neil Fogel, one of three triple winners for Palomar's men's team, heads to victory in 176-107 PCAC win over visiting San Diego Mesa. BELOW: Kylie Brown wins the 100-yard backstroke in the women's meet. She was a double winner for the Comets. -- Photos by Deb Hellman

Three PC men triple in 176-107 win over Mesa

SAN MARCOS (3-01-2013) -- Wyatt Woodward, Neil Fogel and Misaki Onoue all swam to triple victories in individual events on Friday, leading Palomar's men's team to a 176-107 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference win over San Diego Mesa at Wallade Memorial Pool.

Woodward won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:48.01, the 100 freestyle in 49.72 and the 200 individual medley in 2:29.26.

Onoue won the 1,000 freestyle in 9:52.00, the 200 breaststroke in 2:25.84 and the 500 freestyle in 4:51.81.

Other individual-event winners for the Comets were Travis Lane in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.14) and David Smithers in the 200 backstroke (2:10.43).

Palomar also won the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay.

SD Mesa Women 223, Palomar Women 59 -- Kylie Brown brought home a double win on Friday in a PCAC women's swim meet against San Diego Mesa at Wallace Memorial Pool.

Brown won the 100-yard backstroke in 1:04.51 and the 500 freestyle in 6:03.42.

ABOVE: Palomar's Clark Heckman wins a heat of the 100 individual medley during the men's Pentathlon at the Waterman Festival on Friday. -- Photo by Hugh Cox. BELOW: Men's pentathlon winner Wyatt Woodward

Comets' Woodward, Fogel 1-2 in pentathlon

SAN MARCOS (2-08-2013 / 2-09-2013) -- Palomar's Wyatt Woodward (left, 2:38.50) and Neil Fogel (2:43.11) went 1-2 in the men's pentathlon at the non-scoring Waterman Festival to begin the two-day meet on Friday at Wallace Memorial Pool.

Misaki Onoue finished eighth out of 74 competitors from eight colleges.

The Comets' Kylie Brown placed third in the women's pentathlon with a 3:06.79. Katherine Gabayeron from Cerritos won at 3:05.94.

Onoue won the men's 400 individual medley in 4:13.82 and the 1000 freestyle in 10:03.86 on the second day of the competition on Saturday. Woodward captured the 100 backsroke in 58.74.

Palomar's men also won the 200 medley relay, 350 butterfly relay, 350 backstroke relay, 350 breaststroke relay 200 under/over relay and 600 iron man relay events.

Palomar's men's team placed third. The women finished fourth.


 2012 Season ...

Palomar's Jem McAdams, who also coaches the Comets' women's team (above), has been named Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Coach of;the Year for all men's sports for 2011-2012. He guided the men's team to second in the state meet behind Santa Rosa.-- Photo by Deb Hellman

PCAC names McAdams top coach for all sports

PALM SPRINGS (5-8-2012) -- Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Athletic Directors selected Palomar head swimming & diving coach Jem McAdams as the conference's Coach of the Year for all 2011-12 men's sports on Tuesday.

McAdams coached the Comets to the PCAC team title -- then to second behind Santa Rosa in the CCCAA State Championships at East Los Angeles College Swim Stadium. Besides coaching both the Palomar men and women (who were eigth), he also was meet director of both events.

The Athletic Directors voted in McAdams at the final 2011-012 PCAC meeting at the Hyatt Regency Suites where all Southern California community college conferences gathered on Monday and Tuesday for their final individual conference and joint meetings. It was for all sports offered by All-PCAC colleges. Baseball coach Buck Taylor was the last Palomar  men's winner, in 2008-09.


Sophomore Kody Moffatt places second  in the 200 individual medley at the state community college meet. Moffatt also anchored Palomar to first place in the 800 freestyle relay, helping lead the Comets' men's team to a second-place team finish behind Santa Rosa. -- Photo by Hugh Cox

Men 2nd to Santa Rosa in state; women 8th

MONTEREY PARK (4-26-2012 / 4-27-2012 / 4-18/-012 -- Palomar's men's team swam to a second-place finish in the CCCAA State Community College Championships that concluded a three-day run on Saturday at East Los Angeles College Swim Stadium.

Led by a first-place finish by their 800-yard freestyle relay team, the Comets overwhelmed four-tine defending state champion Orange Coast, which finished third, fourth-place finisher Ventura and fifth-place Grossmont among 34 scoring men's teams.

Santa Rosa won the state championship with 602 points. The Comets scored 408 points,m Orange Coast 283, Ventura 276 and Grossmont 266. Santa Monica, Diablo Valley, Golden West and Cuesta placed seventhh-through-ninth, respectively. Riverside City College, Foothill and West Valley tied for 10th.

Palomar's women's team finished eighth with 196 points. Orange Coast won the women's meet with 431.5 points, followed by Diablo Valley, Ventura, Shasta, Riverside and Santa Rosa. Santa Monica and Cypress finished ninth and 10th. Pacific Coast Athletic Conference champion San Diego Mesa was 11th in a 34-team field.

MEN'S STATE FINALS

Kody Moffatt, who led the Comets to the PCAC championship, also provided the biggest impetus to Palomar's second-place state team finish.

Moffatt anchored the winning 800 free relay team, which also included Kevin Reichel, Misaki Onoue and Wyatt Woodward on the first three legs. The Comets were timed in 6:47.66 in defeating runner-up Santa Monica, which filnished in 6:49.51. It was the only men's relay event that Santa Rosa, which won the other four relays, didn't win.

Moffatt placed second in the 200 individual medley, swimming a 1:55.31 in finishing behind event winner Jef lum of Santa ;Monica 1:49.43). Moffatt was fourth in the 100 freestyle in 48.30.

Moffatt anhored the 200 free relay team to a near-upset of Santa Rosa. The Comets swam 1:23.60. Thomas, Chaffin Blake and Reichel swam the first three legs.

Moffatt helped the 400 medley relay team to third place in 3:27.48, anchored the 400 free relay team to fourth in 3:05.69. Rcichel, Blake and Thomas swam the other three legs in the 400 medley relay. Thomas, Reichel and Blake swam the first three legs in the 400 free event.

Also for the Comets, David Betts finished third in the 200 breaststroke in 2:05.93, with Blake sixth with a 2:10.60. Misaki Onoue was fourth in the 400 IM with a 4:17.29 and sixth in the 500 ree in 4:44.20. Liam Acosta swcored 223.95 points to finish seventh in 1-meter diving. Woodward swam to an eighth place in the 200 backstroke in 1:58.96.

WOMEN'S STATE FINALS

Kyle Brown, the PCAC Swimmer of the Year, had the best finish for the Comets, a fourth in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:55.30.

Charlie Warburton swam a 1:00.60 to take fifth in the 100 backstroke and a 28.39 to place fifth in the 50 backstroke.

Laura Bryant finished seventh in the 400 freestyle with a 5:12.13.

Melanie Consiglio, Kristen Maples, Bryant and Brown turned in the best relay finish for Palomar, a sixth in the 400 free event in 3:40.63.

Warburton, Maples,Kimi Walters and Consiglio were seventh in the 200 medley relay at 1:52.59. Consiglio, Maplles, Warburton and Brown placed seventh in the  200 free relay in 1:41.47.

Warburton, Walters, Brown and Consiglio finished eighth in the 400 medley relay with a 4:10.77


ABOVE: Coach Jem McAdams congratulates Palomar freshman Kylie Brown, who was named the PCAC Women's Swimmer of the Year at the conclusion of the three-day conference championships. MIDDLE PHOTO: The Comets' winning 400-yard freestyle relay team, which set a meet record on the final day of the meet Saturday. -- Photos by Deb Hellman. BELOW: Kody Moffatt, who had another big day Saturday and led the Palomar men to the meet championship

Men win conference meet while women are 2nd

SAN MARCOS (4-21-2012) -- Palomar's men's team won the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference swimming & diving finals on Saturday, concluding the three-day meet it hosted at Wallace Memorial Pool.

The Comets scored 937 points and were followedin team scoring by second-place Grossmont (910), San Diego Mesa (615) and Soutwestern (279)..

Palomar's women scored 808 points to finish second to Mesa (850). Grossmont (800) and Southwestern (238) trailed.

MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIPS

Kody Moffatt, who later was selected as PCAC, Co-Athlete of the Week, led off the Palomar 400-yard relay team that set a meet record of 3:07.85. Drew Thomas, Chaffin Blake and Kevin Reichel swam the last three legs.

Moffatt also won the 100 freestyle in 46.78, defeating teammates Thomas in third and Brian Penney in fourth. For  the meet, Moffatt won two individual events, was second in another, set one individual record and was part of three record-setting relay performances.

Reichel won the 200 butterfly with a 1:57.91. Teammate Rhett Turvey placed second in 1:59.42.

Also for the Comets, Neil Fogel, Misaki Onoue and Joe Breda finished 2-3-4 in the 1650 free. Wyatt Woodward finished second in the 200 backstroke.

Palomar's Scott Lawson was named Men's Coach of the Year in the conference.

WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIPS

Palomar's Kylie Brown was the PCAC Women's Swimmer of the Year and later was named conference Women's Athlete of the Week.

On Saturday, Brown anchored the Comets' 400-yard freesthyle relay team -- which also included Melanie Consiglio, Laura Bryant and Kristen Maples -- to first place in a meet-record timm of 3:41.34.

Brown also won the 100 100 freestyle in 54.15 with teammates Clonsiglio and Maples taking 2-3 in the event.

Also for Palomar, Laura Bryant won the 100 butterfly in 1:01.09. Charlie Warburton was third in the 100 backstroke.


 Men in 1st, women in 2nd after Day 2; Marks fall

SAN MARCOS (4-20-2012) -- Palomar's men's team is in first place and the women are second after the first two days of the three-day Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Championships at Wallace Memorial Pool.

The Comet men lead second-place Grossmont 635-621 after Friday's second day of competition. San Diego Mesa (466) and Southwestern (188) trail.

In the women's meet, Mesa leads Palomar 606-550. Grossmont is third with 542 points. Southwestern has 156 points.

Palomar broke three more meet recorsds, giving the Comets six conference records in the first two days.

MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIPS

Palomar's David Smithers, Andrew Thomas, Chaffin Blake and Wyatt Woodward set a meet record of 1:35.68 in winning the men's 200-yard medley relay. They broke the old mark of 1:35.84 set by Mesa in 2009.

The Comets' other victories on Day 2 came from Kevin Reichel (above left) with a 52:02 in the 100 butterfly and Thomas with a 58.00 in the 100 breaststroke,

Rhett Turvey finished second to Reichel in the 100 fly, while Blake and David Betts finished second and fourth, respectively, in back of Thomas in the 100 breast. Betts and Misaki Onoue finished 2-3 in the 400 individual medley. Kody Moffatt, Woodward, Brian Penney and Danny Hartl went 2-3-4-5 in the 200 free.

WOMEN''S CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Comet women broke two meet records. Kylie Brown swam a 26.86 in the 50 butterfly, bettering the old mark of 27.35 set by Marykay Foster of Mesa in 2010. And Kristen Maples, Melanie Consiglio, Laura Bryant and Brown set a new mark in the 800 free relay, swimming an 8:03.43. That time broke the old mark. of 8:07.66 set by Mesa in 2010.

Brown was a double individual winner. She also captured the 200 freestyle in 1:57.50.

Bryant won the 200 individual medley in 2:16.15, Charlie Warburton (above right) swam a 28.53 to win the 50 backstroke.and Warburton, Kimi Walters, Maples and Consiglio placed fist in the 200 medley relay with a 1:53.34.


ABOVE: Kody Moffatt celbrates after anchoring Palomar to a meet record in the 400-yard medley relay  in the PCAC Championships on Thursday. Moffatt had a part in three conference records on Day 1, also breaking the 200-yard individual record and anchoring the 200 free relay teamto a meet mark... BELOW: The Comets' Melanie Consiglio, last year's conference Women's Swimmer of the Year who is coming off a broken arm, is shown after repeating as conference 50 freestyle champion with a 25.49.  -- Photos by Hugh Cox

P'mar men, women lead PCAC meet after Day 1

SAN MARCOS (4-19-2012) -- Kody Moffatt had a hand in three meet records on Thursday, and Palomar's men's and women's teams both jumped out to the lead after Day 1 of the three-day Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Swimming Championships being hosted by the Comets at Wallace Memorial Pool.

Moffatt broke the conference record in winning the 200-yard individual medley with a 1:54.38 and also anchored two record-setting relay teams as the Palomar men jumped out to a 275-268 lead over second-place Grossmont after one day. San Diego Mesa  (206) and Southwestern (76) trail.

Led by Melanie Consiglio, returning to form after swimming earlier  in the season with a broken arm, the Comets stunned dual-meet champion Mesa on the first day and lead the Olympians 253-244 entering Friday's second day. Grossmont is third with 226 points. Southwestern is fourth with 56 points.

MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIPS

Moffatt, a sophomore from Chaparral High School in Temelcula, broke Grossmont's Tom Bruce's conference record of 1:55.78, set in 2011, by 2.40 awxonsa.

 Moffatt also anchored both the 200 freestyle relay team andf 400 medley relay team to victories in respective meet record rimtes of 1:24.55 and 3:29.95

Drew Thomas, Chaffin Blake and Kevin Reichel swam the first  three legs in the 200 free relay. The old  conference record in the event was 1:25.84, set by Mesa in 2009.

In the 400 medley relay, Thomas, Blake and Reichel also swam the first thrst three legs. The old meet record in that event was 3:32.56, set by Palomar, also in 2009.

In winning the 200 IM, Moffatt defeated teammate Reichel in second place. Reichel was clocked in 1:1:57.00

Thomas swam a 21.48 to place first in the 50 freestyle for Palomar. Blake finished third in 23:63.

The Comnets' Misaki Onoue (4:43.85) and Neal Fogel (4:44.64) placed2-3  in the 500 free.

WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIPS

Consiglio, last year's PCAC Women's Swimmer of the Year who swam much of the 2012 season with a cast on her arm, swam a 25.49 towinthe 50 freestyle for the Comets. Teammate Charlie Warburton finished third in 25:95.

Consiglio, an El Camino High School product, also led off the 200 free relay team that placed first with a 1;41.47. Kristen Maples, Warburton and Kylie Brown swam the other three legs.

Palomar's Laura Bryant and Hannah Grant finished 1-3 i the 500 free. Bryant swam a 5:23.36. Grant was timed in 5:40.22.


 Comets' Acosta third in SoCal 3M diving finals

TORRANCE (4-13-2012) -- Palomar's Liam Acosta scored 238.20 points Thursday to place third behind winner Frank Grey from Cypress (247.25) and San Diego Mesa's Aaron Stinson (245.00) in the 3-meter finals of the Southern California Coimmunity College Diving Championships at El Camino College.

Acosta, who advances to the CCCAA state finals April 26-28 at East Los Angeles College, finished second to Stinson in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference.

Acosta finished seventh in Southern Cal and second in the PCAC in the 1M finals.

All SoCal conferences' diving finals were held concurrently with the Southern Cal finals.,


 PC dominates unbeaten OEC champion RCC

RIVERSIDE (4-5-2012) -- Friday's men's swimming match-up between Palomar and host Riverside Community College, the unbeaten Orange Empire Conference dual meet champion, was non-scoring.

Good thing for the Tigers.

Palomar completely dominated RCC, a team that defeated four-time defending state community college champion Orange Coast earlier in the season.

Led by Kevin Reichel (left), Kody Moffatt (right) and Wyatt Woodward, who each swam to first places in two races, the Comets won 12 of 15 events against the Tigers.

In the non-scoiring women's meet, Palomar got a triple victory from Laura Bryant.

MEN -- Reichel (48.58) touched out Moffatt (48.76)  in the 100-yard freestyle, in one of the day's closest finishes.

Reichel also won the 100 backstroke with a 56.09, while Moffatt won the 200 free (1:46.29) and the 200 individual medley (2;00.99). Woodward finished first in the 50 free (22.29) and the 500 free (4:55.85).

The other individual winners for Palomar were Misaki Onoue (4:20.64 in the 400 IM), Neil Fogel (10:17.57 in the 1000 free), Andrew Thomas (1:01.34 in the 100 breast), David Smithers (2;05.64 in the 200 back) and Chaffin Blake (2:17.92 imn the 200 breast).

Smithers, Thomas, Blake and Woodward also won the 200 medley relay in 1:39.34.

WOMEN -- Bryant was a winner for the Comets in the 200 IM (2:19.78), the 100 fly (1:04.35) and the 100 breast (1:15.78).

The other Palomar winners were Kimi Walters (34.67 in the 50 breast), Melanie Consiglio (56.63 in the 100 free), Cristal Montiel(1:05.41 in the 100 free) and Charlie Waburton (1:05.55 in the 100 back).


ABOVE: Kevin Reichel wins the men's 200-yard butterfly in 2:02.99 for Palomar vs. Grossmont on Friday. BELOW: Laura Bryant looks behind her at other finishers in the women's 1000 freestyle, which she won for the Comets in 11:29.75. Bryant won three individual events and anchored the winning team in the 200 medley relay to lead the women's team to a 162-151 victory over the Griffins. -- Photos by Deb Hellman

Women's team wins as Comets, Griffins split

SAN MARCOS (3-30-2012) -- The Palomar women's and men's swimming & diving teams split Pacific Coast Athletic Conference meets with Grossmont on Friday afternoon at Wallace Memorial Pool.

The Palomar women defeated the Griffins 162-151 to finish their PCAC dual-meet season with a l2-1 record.

The men lost 157-141 and also finished 2-1.

WOMEN -- Laura Bryant won three individual eventsand led the Comets' winning 200-yard medley relay team. Bryant, Kimi Walters, Kristin Maples and anchor Melanie Consiglio) swam a 1:59.07 in the relay to give Palomar an early lead in team scoring over the Griffins. Grossmont was timed in 2:00.10.

In individual races, Bryant finished first in the 1000-yard freestyle in 11:29.75, the 100 butterfly in 1:03.73 and the 100 individual medley (1:05.65).

Kylie Brown and Charlie Warburton took double individual victories. Brown won the 200 IM in 11:29.75 and the 100 free in 57.10. Warburton took first places in the 50 back (29.60) and 100 back (1:04.23).

Consiglio won  the 50 free with a 26.21.

Brown, Maples, Warburton and Consiglio teamed to win the 200 free relay in 1:45.05.

MEN -- Palomar's Liam Acosta placed first in both the 1-meter (245.25 points) and 3-meter (213.85) diving events, while Kevin Reichel won the 100 butterfly in 2:02.99.

 Reichel also swam the third leg on the winning 200 free relay team. Andrew Thomas, Chaffin Blake, Reichel and Kyle Moffatt were timed in 1:27.36.

Thomas, David Betts and Misaki Onoue also captured individual victories for the Comets. Thomas won the 100 free in 49:09, Betts the 200 breast in 2:14.85 and Onoue the 500 free with a 4:47.29.


Palomar men rout Mesa, are 2-0 in conference

SAN DIEGO (3-16-2012) -- Palomar's men's swimming team went on the road and defeated San Diego Mesa 186-101 on Friday.

The Comets are now 2-0 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference.

The Comets' women's team lost to the Olympians 193-99.

Palomar (M) 186, SD Mesa 101 -- Kody Moffatt (left) won the 100-yard breaststroke for the Comets in 2:19.38, touching out teammate Blake Chaffin (2:19.58) as the pair combined with Kevin Seikkula to give the Comets a 1-2-3 finish.

Moffatt also won the 100 butterfly with a 55.33 and teamed with Chaffin, Kevin Reichel and Andrew Thomas for a first place in the 200 medley relay in 1:40.29. And he combined with Thomas, Chaffin and Wyatt Woodward to win the 200 freestyle relay in 1:28.54.

Misaki Onoue and Woodard also were double winners for Palolmar in individual events. Onoue's first places came in the 1000 freestyle (10:18.53) and the 100 individual medley (2:02.94). Woodward won the 200 free (1:49.66 and the 100 free (50.02).

Palomar's other firsts came from Andrew Thomas (1;03.80 in the 1d00 breast)Rhett Turvey (2:06.85 in the 100 fly), Liam Acosta (2:55.45 in 1-meter diving) and Reichel (5:02.82 in the 500 free),

SD Mesa (W) 193, Palomar 89 -- Laura Bryant had a big day for the Comets in a loss to the favored Olympians. Bryant won the 200 IM in 2:19.23, the 100 fly in 1:03.36 and the 500 free in 1:28.32.

Palomar also got a win from Kylie Brown with a 2:03.19 in the 200 free.


Comets take second, third at Chaffey Invitational

RIVERSIDE (3-10-2012) -- Palomar's men's and women's swimming / diving teams both made statements at the Chaffey Invitational that on Friday and Saturday at Riverside Community College.

In a two-day meet moved to Riverside to take advantage of a larger pool, Palomar's men's team placed a strong secoind behind Grossmont, which was led by Michael Cohn who won five individual events and swam on four winning relay teams.

Cohn and the Griffins outscored the runner-up Comets for the eam title 840 points to 795, with Riverside Community College third with 685.5 points. RCC was coiming off an upset victory over four-time defending state community college champion Orange Coast on March 2.

Chaffey (494 points) finished  in fourth place, followed in a 10-team field by Mt. SAC with 400 points, San Diego Mesa 308, Fullerton 157.5, Southwestern 85, Los Angeles Trade Tech 21 and East Los Angeles 0.

Palomar finished third in the women's meet, trailing chapon Riverside (835.5 points) and Mesa (733). The Comets scored 512.5 points and were trailedl by Grossmont with 448, Chaffey 417, Mt. SAC 363.5, Fullerton 323.5, East Los Angeles 122, Southwestern 16 and Los Angeles Trade Tech 4.

MEN'S MEET

Misaki Onoue (above), a freshman from Kyusyu High School in Fukuda, Japan, won two individual events for the Comets, the 400-yard individual medley in 4:16.49 and the 1650 freestyle in 16:51.9. He placed third in the 500 freestyle in 4:49.57 and was eighth in the 200 free.

Other big contributors for Palomar were Kody Moffatt, Andrew Thomas and Kevin Reichel.

lMoffatt placed second in the 200 free in 1:46.18, was fourth in the 200 IM in 2:01.81 and also placed in the 100 backstroke (fifth), 100 free (fifth) and 200 back (seventh). Thomas took two second places (at 21.95 in the 50 free and 1:00.64 in  the 100 breast) and two thirds (at 48.55 in the 100 free and 2:19.45 in the 200 breast). Reichel brought home third places in the 100 fly (55.61) and 200 back (2:04.60) and also had a fifth in the 200 fly, sixth in the 200 IM and seventh in the 100 back.

IMoffatt also anchored Palomar to first place in the 200 free relay in 1:27.57, teaming with Blake Chaffin, Thomas and Wyatt Woodward. The Comets took home two seconds in relay events(Moffatt, Reichel, Onoue and Chaffin in the 800 free in 7:16.56 and Woodward, Reichel, Chaffin and Moffatt in the 400 free in 3:13.89).

David Betts placed second in the 200 breaststroke.

WOMEN'S MEET

Laura Bryant and Kylie Brown each briought hom a first place, second place and third place in individual events.

Bryant won the 200 IM in 2:19.79,. defeating Mesa's highly-regard alina Duran who finished second in 2:19.89. Bryant also, took secoind in the 100 IM  in 1:04.84 and placed third in the 100 back with a 1:05.09. Brown won the 50 fly in 28.53, was second in the 100 free in 56.66 and finishedthird in the 100 IM with a 1:05.64.

Charlie Warburton swam a 29.;76 for second place in the 50 back. The Comets also took home thirds in the 200 free


ABOVE AND BELOW LEFT: Palomar's Misaki Onoue swims to first place in the men's 1000 freestyle at the Waterman Festival. He was clocked in 10:10.80. BELOW: Haley McCauley swms the second leg for the Comets' winning women's 200 medley team, which was timed in 2:03.00 -- Photos by Hugh Cox

Comet men swim to title; Women take second

SAN MARCOS (2-05-2012) --The Palomar men's swimming & diving team brought home the team championship with 741 points and the Comets' women's squad placed second with with 512 points. in the Waterman Festival that concluded a two-day run on Saturday at Wallace Memorial Pool.

In the Pentathlon portion of the meet on Friday, the men's team placed nine swimmers in the top 20, with five in the top 10 . Wyatt Woodworn took first place, followed by PC teammates Drew Thomas (third) Cody MoffatT (fourth), Kevin Reichel (f9fth) and Chaffin Blake seventh.

In the women's pentathlon, Laura Bryant finished second as the Comets placed four swimmers in the top 20.

In the regular porion of the meet on Saturday, Palomar's men took hom six first places -- Thomas in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.47), the 300 breast relay team (3:49.83), Misaki Onoue in the 1000 free (10:10.80), and both the 600 ironman relay team and the 400 free relay team.

For the PC women, the 200 medley relay team (2:03.00), Bryant in the 100 butterfly (1:03.17 and Melanie Consiglio in the 50 free (25.93).


2011 Season ...

PC men 4th in 400 free relay, take 7th in state

MONTEREY PARK (4-29-11) -- Palomar's men placed fourth in the 400-yard medley relay, the final event of the meet, on Saturday to finish seventh in team scoring in the three-day CCCAA State Community College Swimming & Diving Championships

Orange Coast won the men's team title with 422 points, followed by Ventura, Santa Rosa, Diablo Valley, Sierra, Mt. SAC and Palomar in the field of 33 scoring teams at East Los Angeles College Swim Stadium..

The Comets had the third-highest Southern California score (156 points) and topped the other Pacific Coast Athletic Conference teams in the meet.

Rhys Ward, Connor Buckendahl (above left), Kevin Reichel and Kody Moffatt swam a 3:08.20 in the 400 free relay. They brought home the fourth place in back of winner Ventura (3:03.82), second-place Santa Rosa and third-place Diablo Valley. Palomar defeated Orange Coast, the fifth-place finisher.

Also on Day 3, the Comets' Jacob Lammott took fifth place in the 200 breaststroke in 2:P05.65.

The Palomar women's team finished 17th out of 36 scoring teams with 82 points. Orange Coast won the women's title with 551 points, followed by fourth Northern California teams --  Diablo Valley, Santa Rosa, American River and Sierra.

The Comets placed sixth in the women's 200 freestyle relay on Saturday. Kristen Maples (above right), Amanda Richardson, Alex Rodriguez and Melanie Consiglio swam a 3:43.12.

Palomar was the second-highest PCAC finisher. San Diego Mesa finished two spots ahead of the Comets in 15th.


Palomar men 7th after first two days at State

MONTERY PARK (4-29-11) -- The Palomar men's swim team was seventh out of 32 scoring teams after Day 2 of the CCCAA State Swimming & Diving Championships on Friday at East Los Angeles College Swim Stadium.

Led by fourth places by Jacob Lammott with a 57.60 in the 100 breaststroke and by a fourth in the 200 medley relay, the Comets were seventh out of 32 scoring teams with 109 points for the first two days, trailing first-place Orange Coast's 357.

Kevin Reichel (above left), Lammott, Chris Angelotti (above right) and Rhys Ward swam 1:34.68 to finish fourth in the 200 medley relay.

Cerritos' P.J. Gabayerson won the 100 breaststroke in 55.68, while Orange Coast captured the 200 medley relay in 1:32.48.

Also for the Palomar men, Lammott, Cbhaffin Blake, Reichel and Kody Moffatt swam a 7:00.86 to place sixth in the men's 800 free relay.

Palomar's women were 17th out of 34 scoring teams after Day 2, with 54 points. Orange Coast was first with 337 points.

On Day 1 on Thursday, Palomar's women scored 30 points and the men tallied 25 despite a disqualification in the 400 medley relay to open the three-day meet..

The men's 200 freestyle relay team of Lammott, Ward, Connor Buckendahl and Moffatt placed seventh with a 1:25.72.

The women's 200 free relay team.of Melanie Consiglio, Amanda Richardson, Alex Rodriguez and Kristen Maples won the consolation race for a ninth-place finish overall with a 1:42.24.


Swimmer of the Year Consiglio leads title run

SAN MARCOS (4-23-11) -- Melanie Consiglio (left) was named Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Women's Swimmer of the Year after the Comets won the conference meet that ended a three-day run Saturday at Wallace Memorial Pool.

Palomar's Jem McAdams (above right) was selected as PCAC Coach of the Year. The Comets totaled 935 points to easily outdistance runner-up San Diego Mesa, which scored 764 points. Grossmont was third with 651 and Southwestern was fourth with 340.

Consiglio won her third individual race of the meet on Saturday, swimming a 55.23 to capture the 100-yard butterfly. She defeated Palomar teammate Kristen Maples, who finished second in the race in 55.44, by 21-100s of a second.

Later on Saturday's program, Consiglio led off the Comets' winning 400 freestyle relay team, which won in 3:44.33. Alex Rodriguez, Amanda Richardson and Maples swam the other three legs.

Consiglio, a freshman from El Camino High School, previously won individual gold in the 50 free, setting a meet record, and the 50 butterfly. And she led off Palomar's winning team in the 200 freestyle relay, the first event of the first day on Thursday.

Three Comets joined Maples with second-place finishes on the final day -- Mrice Maruna with a 19:30.63 in the 1650 freestyle, Laura Bryant with a 1:04.29 in the 100 backstroke and Richardson with a 1:04.50 in the 100 fly

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Consiglio is PCAC Women's Athlete of Week

SAN DIEGO (4-25-11) -- Palomar swimmer Melanie Consiglio has been selected as Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Women's Athlete of the Week for all sports.

Consiglio, the PCAC Swimmer of the Year,  won three individual events and led off two winning relay teams, setting a meet record of 24.50 in the 50-yard freestyle, in leading Palomar to the PCAC team title.


LaMommott, Reichel break marks; PC just short

SAN MARCOS (4-22-11) -- Jacob Lammott set his second meet record in barely 24 hours on Saturday and Kevin Reichel (left) easily broke the meet mark in his signature event.

But Palomar just missed winning the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference men's team title, losing the three-day PCAC Championship Meet to Grossmont by 6.5 points at Wallace Memorial Pool.

Lammott swam a 2:08.15 in the 200 breaststroke, erasing his own year-old meet record of 2:08.74. He easily outdistanced San Diego Mesa's second-place Francisco Heredia, who was nearly five seconds back in 2:12.54.

On Friday, Lammott set a meet mark by swimming 57.91 in the 100 breaststroke. And he was still to play a role in a big finish to the meet by the Comets as evening approached.

Reichel easily broke the former 200 backstroke record of 2:02.98 that was set by Remington McKittrick of Grossmont in 2008. Grossmont's Ashton Tran also bettered the old mark, with a 2:01.15, and Danny Mahoney from Palomar took third in the race at 2:03.09.

But LaMott's and Reichel's performances -- and a win by the Comets in the meet's final event, the 400 freestyle relay, were not quite enough to catch Grossmont, in team scoring.

The Griffins nosed out the Comets 887 points to 880.5  San Diego Mesa was third with 739.5 and Southwestern finished fourth with 294 points.

In the most exciting finish of the afternoon, Kody Moffatt (above right) anchored the Comets to a come-from-behind victory in the 400 free relay, catching the Mesa anchor on the final leg of a race the Olympians had led most of the way.

Rhys Ward, Connor Buckendahl, Lammott and Moffatt were timed in 3:11.01. Mesa's second-place time was 3:11.93.

Ward (47.24) placed second to Grossmont's Thomas Faucher (46.86) in the 100 free.

Grossmont's Tom Bruce was named Men's Swimmer of the Year in the conference. Brian Harvey of Grossmont was Coach of the Year. 


ABOVE: Palomar's Jacob Lammott wins the 100 breaststroke in 57.91, breaking the meet record. -- Photo by Hugh Cox. BELOW: Kody Moffatt, who anchored the Comets' 800 freestyle relay team to a new meet record of 7:02.91

Comets' Lammott has part in 2 meet records

SAN MARCOS (4-22-11) -- Palomar's Jacob Lammott set one men's meet record and had a hand in another on Friday on the second day of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Championships hosted by the Comets at Wallace Memorial Pool.

Lammott won the 100-yard breaststroke in 57.91, breaking the meet mark set by Southwestern's Juan Carrillo in 2008.

He also teamed with Kevin Reichel, Chaffin Blake and Kody Moffatt to win the 800 freestyle relay in 7:02.91, breaking the meet record of 7:08.14 in 2009.

Blake and Moffatt held off Grossmont's fast-closing Tom Bruce and Thomas Faucher on the last two legs. Bruce earlier in the day set a meet record of 4:10.22 in the individual medley, while Faucher broke the meet mark with a 1:41.70 in the 200 free.

Faucher edged out Moffatt, who finished second in the race with a 1:42.20.

Palomar's Chris Angelotti placed first in the 100 backstroke in 56.64, defeating teammates Wes Laucher (56.91) in second and Stephan Syonenko (57.74) in third.

The Comets' other victory on the second day came from the 200 medley relay team in 1:35.86.

Kevin Reichel placed second for Palomar behind winner Chris Quiroz of San Diego Mesa in the 100 butterfly. Reichel swam 53.15

Palomar is second in men's scoring entering the final day of the meet on Saturday. Grossmont leads with 643 points, followed by the Comets with 578.5, Mesa 521.5 and Southwestern 223.


ABOVE: Palomar's Melanie Consiglio the 50-yard butterfly in 28.04 on the second day of the PCAC Championships. BELOW: Kristen Maples, moments after taking first in the 200 free for the Comets with a 2;01.13. -- Photos by Hugh Cox.

Consiglio wins 2nd time; women still in 1st

SAN MARCOS (4-22-11) -- Melanie Consiglio of Palomar, who set a meet record in the women's 50 freestyle on Thursday, won again on Friday as the PCAC Championships continued at Wallace Memorial Pool.

Consigio finished first in the 50 butterfly, swimming a 28.04 to defeat runner-up Leslie Rodriguez from Southwestern. Rodriguez was clocked in 28.37.

Her performance helped the Comets remain first in team scoring entering the final day of the three-day meet on Saturday. Palomar has a 608-530 lead on second-place San Diego Mesa. Grossmont (462) is in third, with Southwestern fourth with 245 points.

Palomar also got a victory on Friday from Kristen Maples, who won the 200 freestyle in 2:01.13. The second-place finisher Sareena Castillo, had a 2:0d9.59.

The Comets picked up first places in the 800 free relay (8:24.74) and the 200 medley relay (1:56.39).

Palomar's Laura Bryant was second in the 50 back. Southwestern's Leslie Rodriguez, who finished first, edged Bryant 29.80 to 29.97. Bryant also placed second to Mesa's Monique Beltran in the 200 IM.


ABOVE: Palomar's Brice Maruna swims the 500-yard freestyle on Thursday. She placed second in the finals in 5:39.34 behind San Diego Mesa's Sareena Castillo, who won the event in 5:31.44. -- Photo by Hugh Cox. BELOW: The Comets' Melanie Consiglio, who set a meet record of 24.90 in the 500 free

Consiglio breaks Lutz' 50 free mark: PC leads

SAN MARCOS (4-21-11) -- Melanie Consiglio of first-day team leader Palomar set a  women's meet record in the 50-yard freestyle  as the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Championships began a three-day run at Wallace Memorial Pool.

Consiglio swam a 24.90, breaking the mark of 24.97 set in last year's meet by Palomar's Rachel Lutz. The Comets went 1-2-3 in the race with Amanda Richardson (25.42) and Alex Rodriguez (26.47) finishing second and third.

Their performances helped the Comets jump out to the women's lead with 254 points after the first day. Grossmont (245 points), San Diego Mesa (216) and Southwestern 75) trail in the four-team field.

Palomar jumped in front right out of the blocks in the day's first event, as Consiglio, Richardson and  Kristen Maples and Alex Rodriguez won the 200 freestyle relay with a 1:41.99.

The Comets (no names listed on official result sheet) also won the 400 medley relay in 4:16.50.


ABOVE: Jacob Lammott of Palomar heads toward the water in his 200-yard IM heat on the first day of the PCAC men's swim championships. He won the heat, then finished second in the finals to Grossmont's Tom Bruce with a 1:57.94. BELOW: Comet Rhys Ward swims a dead heat with teammate Kody Moffatt (not pictured) in their 50 free heat. Ward won the finals with a 21.78. -- Photos by Hugh Cox

Ward helps capture 400 free relay, wins 50 free

SAN MARCOS (4-21-11) -- Palomar's Rhys Ward enjoyed a big day as the PCAC Swimming Championships began a three-day run on Thursday at Wallace Memorial Pool.

Ward won the 50-yard freestyle finals in 21.78, defeating runner-up Andrew Vallely from San Diego Mesa (21.88).

Ward also teamed with Stephan Syzonenko, Connor Buckendahl and Kody Moffatt to win the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:25.98. Their time was only 14-100s of a second off the meet mark of 1:25.84 set by San Diego Mesa in 2009.

Palomar also won the 400 medley relay (no names listed in results) with a 3:33.02..


Comets turn back Mesa in both men's, women's

SAN MARCOS (3-18-11) -- Palomar played rude hosts to visiting San Diego Mesa in a pair of Pacific Coast Athletic Conference swimming  meets on Friday at Wallace Memorial Pool.

The Palomar men got three individual victories from Jacob Lammott, who also swam on the winning 200 medley relay team, to rout the Olympians 171-116..

Alex Rodriguez (above left) won three individual events and led off the winning 200 medley relay team as the women won 156-142 to finish alone in first place in the dual meet portion of the conference season at 3-0.

Palomar Men 171, SD Mesa 116

Kevin Reichel, Kody Moffatt (above right), Lammott and Conner Bukendahl got Palomar off to a fast start, winning the 200 medley relay in 1:40.72, as the Comets finished their conference dual meet season 2-1, in a three-way tie for first place with Mesa and Southwestern.

Lammott won the 100 breaststroke in 56.49, the 200 breaststroke in 2:16.97 and the 200 IM in 2:04.06.

Rhys Ward placed first in the 50 freestyle in 22:52, the 100 ffee in 50:56 and led off the 200 freestyle relay team which won in 1:30.34. Chaffin Blake, Wes Lauchner and Bukendahl swam the other three legs.

Moffatt won the 200 free in 1:52.1\40. Reichel placed first in the 200 backstroke with a 2:05.53.

Palomar Women 156, SD Mesa 142

Rodriguez' triple victory in individual races came in the 50 backstroke (31.02), 50 free (26.30) and 100 backstroke (1:06.63). She also teamed with Kristen Maples, Kimi Walters and Melanie Consiglio to take the 200 medley relay in 2:01.29.

Palomar's other winners were Maples with a 2:08.48 in the 200 free and Consiglio with a 29.39 in the 50 butterfly.


Palomar sweeps to women's, men's victories

CHULA VISTA (3-7-11) -- Palomar swept to a pair of Pacific Coast Athletic Conference wins over Southwestern in men's and women's swimming on Friday on the road.

The Comets defeated the Jaguars 192-60 in the men's meet and 193-75 in the women's meet.

Melanie Consiglio (left), 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle) and Kristen Maples (100 backstroke, 100 individual medley) were double winners for Palomar in the women's meet.

Jacob Lammott (200 free, 200 IM) and Danny Mahoney (above right, 100 back, 500 free) were double winners in the men's meet.

The women advanced to 2-0, both overall and in conference, while the men evened their record at 1-1.both overall and in the PCAC.


Women win dual opener vs. G-House; men fall

SAN DIEGO (2-11-11) -- Palomar's women's swim team defeated Grossmont in its dual meet opener 177-122 on Friday at the Joan Kroc Center.

The men, without divers, saw the Griffins win 158-136 on the strength of 1-2-3 finishes in both the 1-meter and 3-meter events.

Four Comets took two first places each in individual women's events -- Kristen Maples (above left, in the 200 individual medley in 2:28.20 and the 100 IM in 1:08.41), Emma Baldwin in the 1,000 freestyle (11:59.52) and 100 butterfly (1:06.51), Brice Marunu in the 200 free (2:10.75) and 500 free (5:54.12) and Alex Rodriguez in the 50 backstroke (31.22) and 50 freestyle (26.29).

Melanie Consiglio won the 100 free with a 5.8.29 and Laura Bryant won the 100 backstroke in 1;09.16. Palomar also captured firsts in the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay.

In the men's meet, Jacob Lammott was a double winner for Palomar, in the 100 breaststroke (59.70) and 200 breaststroke (2:15.38. The Comets' other men's winners were Kevin Reichel (above right) in the 100 backstroke (59.70) and both the 200 medley (1:42.29) and 200 free (1:29.84) teams..


ABOVE: Palomar's Emma Baldwin is on her way to a first-place finish in the women's 200-yard IM in 2:27.51. LEFT: The Comets' Kevin Reichel, who placed 10th among 140 competitors in the men's pentathlon, hits the water in the backstroke. RIGHT: Reichel's teammate Kody Moffatt, who placed second in the pentathlon. --  Photos by Deb Hellman.

Comets win men's pentathlon, two team titles

SAN MARCOS (2-7-11) -- Palomar opened its 2011 swimming season with a bang on Friday and Saturday in the Waterman Festival, hosted by the Comets at Wallace Memorial Pool.

The pentathlon competition on Friday drew 280 swimmers on nine men's teams and nine women's teams.

The regular portion of the meet on Saturday drew six men's teams and six women's teams.

PENTATHLON (first day)

Palomar's men placed first, while the women finished second behind Riverside Community College.

Team places were determined by each team's top four composite times in the 50 butterfly, 50 backstroke, 50 breaststroke, 50 freestyle and 100 individual medley.

Palomar's Jacob Lammott finished second among 140 men's pentathlon entries with a combined 2:39.27. Cerritos' P.J. Gabayeron was first with a combined 2:36.98. Lammott swam the 50 fly in 25:19, the 50 back in 27.35, the 50 breast in 27.76, the 50 free in 22.23 and the 100 IM in 56.74.

The Comets' second through fourth placers were Kody Moffatt, fifth with a combined 2:44.36, Kevin Reichel, 10th with a 2:46.22 and Evan Rabbetts (11th with a 2:46.28). Also for Palomar among top 25 finishers, Chaffin Blake placed 12th, Daniel Mahoney 19th, Rhys Ward 21st, Connor Buckendahl 22nd and Chris Angelotti 25th.

Cerritos' Jessie Ku won the women's pentathlon with a combined 3:03.72 time, while Melanie Consiglio was the Comets' top finisher in seventh place with a combined 3:14.99. Consiglio swam the 50 butterfly in 29.66, the 50 backstroke in 34.08, the 50 breaststroke in 38.10, the 50 freestyle in 27.42 and the 200 IM in 1:09.57.

Palomar's second through fourth finishers were Kristen Maples, ninth with a 3:17.27; Emma Baldwin, 10th with a 3:18.32; Laura Bryant, 16th with a 3:22.48; and Alex Rodriguez, 14th with a 3:20.04. Brice Maruna, Palomar's next finisher, was 26th.

REGULAR MEET (second day)

Palomar' won the men's meet with 627 points, followed by second-place Chaffey with 603, Cerritos 496, Fullerton 344, San Diego Mesa 319 and Southwestern 67.

The Comets wom the women's meet with 739 points, followed by Mesa with 523, Fullerton 474, Grossmont 335, Chaffey 261 and Southwestern 127.

Palomar winners were the men's 200-yard medley relay team in 1:42.38, Reichel in the men's 100 backstroke in 58.11, Lemmott in the 100 breaststroke in 1:00.23, Baldwin in the women's 200 IM in 2:27.81.

Also, Palomar "A' in the men's 350 backstroke relay in 3:36.31, Palomar "A" in the women's 350 breaststroke relay in 4:56.00, Palomar "A" in the men's 350 breaststroke relay in 3:52.80, Palomar "A" in the women's 350 freestyle relay in 3:35.90, Palomar "A) in the men's 350 free relay in 3:09.70.

Also, Maruna in the women's 1,000 freestyle in 12:02.51, Palomar "A" in the women's 200 medley Under/Over relay in 2:15.28; Palomar "A" in the men's 200 medley Under/Over relay in 1:57.41, Palomar "A" in the mixed 300 free relay in 2:27.51 and Palomar "A" in the women's 400 free relay in 3:59.75.

In combined men's and women's team scores, Palomar finished with 1,440 points, followed by second place Chaffey with 922, Mesa 896, Fullerton 846, Cerritos 496, Grossmont 335 and Southwestern 216.

The Waterman Festival is named for retired Palomar women's swimming and water polo coach (and one-time Comet women's athletic director) Patti Waterman.