Fred’s thoughts: Makes you wonder how important the Masters Meet is when so many of the best individuals back out of the big races. What Jaques and Grant are doing is not a surprise. Several top swimmers have not raced in what is supposed to be the biggest meet of the season. It’s not, the CIF finals are what everyone shoots for, maybe it’s time they get rid of the Masters Meet, or tinker with it so that it’s more meaningful. As one swim coach pointed out, they don’t keep team scoring. The coach said if they did, top swimmers would be more likely to swim in it … just a thought.
By Steve Ramirez, Staff Writer
Glendora High School’s Gretchen Jaques and Walnut’s Andrea Grant won CIF-Southern Section individual swimming titles over the weekend. The duo will not add CIF-SS Masters championships to their resumes. Each backed out of individual competition for today’s Master’s Meet, scheduled for 5 p.m. at William Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine. They will compete on their team’s respective relay teams, which will include top-qualifier Glendora in the 200-yard medley relay. Walnut is the No. 4 qualifier.
“It was a team decision to just do the relays and have fun one last time together,” said Jaques, who completed the individual portion of her career by winning the 200 individual medley (one minute, 59.15 seconds) and 100 breaststroke (1:01.01) at last weekend’s Division 2 meet in Long Beach. “I swim against (the Division 1 swimmers) a lot in club, so it’s not a new thing to go against them.”
Jaques will lead the Glendora 200 medley relay team, which is the favorite after setting a Division 2 record of 1:46.69 on Saturday. The Tartans also are No. 2 in the 400 freestyle relay (3:32.50), and No. 5 in the 200 free relay (1:38.64).
Walnut, led by Grant and Emily Yu, is seeded No. 4 in the 200 medley with a time of 1:49.33. The Mustangs finished second to Glendora on Saturday. Walnut is No. 7 in the 200 free relay (1:38.94).
Grant is coming off victories in the 50 (23.50) and 100 freestyles (51.06).
Area competitors who are expected to do well include Walnut’s Christina Yu, who is No. 9 in the 100 free (52.68); Damien’s Jason Haney, who is Nos. 7 and 8, respectively, in the 200 (1:40.69) and 100 (46.36) freestyles; Claremont’s Sam Jardine, who is No. 5 in the 200 free (1:40.38); and Ayala’s Ashley Tse, who is No. 3 in the 200 IM (2:03.59).
