Griffins swim meet win comes down to races’ last relay

Los Alamitos High School swim team proves it’s not all wet when it comes to staying the course

Proud parents and supporters surrounded the pool deck as the Griffins hosted the Barons of Fountain Valley High School.  The swim meet between these two teams was expected to be close and exciting.

It was.

The girls competed magnificently but the Los Alamitos team was edged out at the end by losing 80-90.  Dari Watkins won two individual events.  Watkins won the 100-Butterfly (58.71) and the 200-Individual Medley (2:08:22).  The girls team is 1-2 in league.

With 11 events per meet, the boys relay came down to the final race against a tough and fast Baron team.

With the Griffins trailing most of the meet, there were only two brief lead changes, and the Griffins trailed heading into the last event of the day.

With the boys 4×100 the last event, swimmers Alex Merrill, a senior, his little brother, freshman Max Merrill, junior Joe Ferretti, and junior Jack Blake, put the burners on and won the race amongst cheers and pandemonium from the crowd.

Earlier in the meet, Senior Alex Merrill won two individual events.

He won the 100-Butterfly (53.58) and the 500-Freestyle (4:55:11).  Junior Joe Ferretti won 2 events.  He won the 50-Freestyle (21.91) and the 100-Freestyle (49.42).  Freshman, Derek Ahmed won the 100-Backstroke (57.85).   The boys swim team is 1-2 in league.

Coach Dave Carlson was proud of his swimmers.  “The sunset league is the fastest league in Orange County.

Five Sunset League teams are ranked in the top 10 in the county and the competition is really tough,” said Carlson.

The Griffins take on Esperanza next week.