Cuesta Men's Swimming Takes Third Consecutive WSC Championship Title
Cuesta College claimed the 18th Western State Conference title for men's swimming and set itself up for another run at an elusive CCCAA State Title. The undefeated Cougars out-pointed local rival Allan Hancock by a comfortable, nearly 200-point margin, despite having only the third largest squad at the 10-team event. Returning All American Stash Perry repeated as co-Swimmer of the Year after going undefeated for the second straight year. Unfortunately, his teammate and fellow 2022 co-Swimmer of the Year Andrew Lopez was substituted for Allan Hancock's Max Pecile and Santa Monica's Hiro Inoki, who also went undefeated. Despite only competing in 19 of the 20 events, Cuesta collected a baker's dozen event titles, four runners-up, one 4th place and a 5th in 1m diving. | ORIGINAL RELEASE
In all, the Cougars' thirteen-man team combined to post 31 all-Conference swims (Top 5). All-American Stash Perry led the way with three events titles, as he dominated the distance events. He won the 200-freestyle (1:41.03), 500-freestyle (4:43.87) and the 1,650-freestyle (16:28.43). Freshman Ethan Merritt and Stash's twin brother Ethan Perry were second and third on the team with 57 and 52 individual points. Merritt shocked everyone by taking on Cuesta record holder and 2022 co-WSC MVP Andrew Lopez in the Breaststroke. Merritt claimed the 100-breaststroke (:57.16) and 200-breaststroke (:57.16), while also finishing 2nd in the 50-freestyle (:21.83). Lopez tied for 8th in the overall point count, with a pair of runner-up finishes and a Bronze for 50 total points. Ethan Perry claimed the 100-backstroke (:53.01) title and took 2nd in the 200-backstroke (1:59.90), before settling for a Bronze in the 400-individual medley (4:23.69). Freshmen Gage Price and Zachary O'Connor also eclipsed the 50-point barrier to reach the meet's Top 10. Price took three Silvers on the day. He finished behind Ethan Perry in the 100-backstroke (:54.8) and behind co-MVP Hiro Inoki in the 100 (:53.30) and 200 (2:01.78) Butterflies. O'Connor placed in both the 400-IM (4:17.66) and 200-breaststroke (2:09.52), before showing in the 100-breaststoke (:59.55) behind Merritt and Lopez.
The Cougars have two-weeks to taper before the 2023 CCCAA State Swim & Dive Championships open in East LA on May 4. Cuesta has not won a CCCAA State Title in any sport since Women's Volleyball posted back-to-back titles in 1985 and 1986, however Men's Swim and Dive boasts three team Silvers and three team Bronzes among the team's sixteen Top 10 finishes over the past 30 seasons.
