Golden West Men's Swimming Set For State

East Los Angeles, Calif. - The East Los Angeles College Swim Stadium pool has taken on a life of its own the past two years as the host site of the CCCAA Swimming and Diving State Championships. In 2011 and 2012, the "fast" indoor pool has produced an amazing 14 state meet records, including nine last year.

When the 2013 event takes place Thursday-Saturday, April 25-27, the cream of the crop of California Community College swimmers will do their best to add to that record-breaking total.

Here is a preview of some of the frontrunners and favorites coming into this CCCAA state meet:

DAY 1

In event 4, the 500 freestyle field is just happy last year's top male swimmer Ahmed Mathlouthi (Santa Monica) is not back nor is his new state and national record mark of 4:18.90. Diablo Valley's Lee Ward's fastest 2013 seed time of 4:32.67 looks super slow in comparison.

In event 6, SMC's Jeff Lum and his 2011 state record 1:47.94 time appears safe in this year's 200 individual medley. Lum won it last year as well at 1:49, but so far it's Modesto's Tim Richard who has the 2013 favorite tag at 1:51.98. Golden West swimmer Daniel Roa should also have a shot at 1:53.07.

In event 8, defending state champion Henry Chung of Ventura is back to defend his 50 freestyle sprint title. Chung's 19.91 seed time puts him back in the driver's seat (won at 20 flat last year) and in the running for the state meet record of 19.68. Golden West's Fletcher Norseen (20.49) and Bakersfield's Matthew Prasser (20.85) hope to challenge Chung.

In event 10, Orange Coast has the top seed going into the 400 medley relay. The Pirates' 3:24.98 will be tested by Diablo Valley (3:26.37) and Golden West (3:26.91). The Rustlers' hold a 15-year-old meet record of 3:21.46 set in 1998.

DAY 2

 In event 14, Santa Rosa set the new state meet gold standard last year in the 200 medley relay at 1:29.99. Orange Coast's top 2013 seed time of 1:33.64 is slightly better than Ventura's 1:34.06.

In event 16, Golden West's Roa is a heavy favorite in the 400 individual medley with his 4:00.04 seed time. El Camino's Jonathan Diaz is next best at 4:06.05 with no other swimmer below 4:11.

In event 18, the 100 butterfly figures to be anyone's race as Diablo Valley's Monty Randall (49.32) and Orange Coast's Tyler Jankovich (49.90) lead the bunch. The 12- year-old state meet record is 48.13, which seems to be within reach at the fast ELAC pool.

In event 20, last year's speedy Mathlouthi blew up the record in the 200 freestyle at 1:35.29. DVC's Ward is the only 2013 seed swimmer below 1:40 at 1:39.51. Golden West's Ian Wheeler (1:40.87) and Orange Coast's Sean Richards (1:40.95) should push Ward for the title.

In event 22, Lum's state meet record set last year in the 100 breaststroke (54.48) appears safe this season. Merced's Connor Greene has the 2013 top seed mark at 56.83 as this race has the making of pure drama. Modesto's Richard (56.90), Grossmont's Ben Cornish (56.91), and Bakersfield's Prasser (56.97) all figure to hit the wall in a classic photo finish.

In event 24, Ventura's Chung is back to defend his state meet record in the 100 backstroke, but his state top seed time as a sophomore is 49.53, a full second slower than his freshman 48.53 mark. Diablo Valley's Mitchell Youhanna (51.70) and Cuesta's Georan Meedering (51.86) hope to push Chung.

In event 26, the 800 freestyle relay figures to be as much fun for fans as last year's victory by Palomar (6:47.66). Top seed Diablo Valley (6:53.21) leads a log-jam of Cuesta (6:53.60), Golden West (6:53.68), Ventura (6:57.65), and defending champ Palomar (6:59.55).

DAY 3

 In event 30, the name Mathlouthi may forever be the 1,650 freestyle gold standard after his Secretariat-like 15:07.30 state meet record in 2012. This year's race could be a two-horse duel between Golden West's Wheeler (16:11.89) and El Camino's Diaz (16:13.15). They should be wary of Golden West's David Jorth, who took second last year at 16:09 and has a misleading 16:49.48 seed.

In event 32, Ventura's Chung is the favorite in the 200 backstroke with a state- leading mark of 1:48.81. But only time will tell if he can go after a 13-year-old state meet record of 1:46.14 set by Christian Harcsas.

In event 34, Chung will not defend his 100 freestyle title. Golden West's Norseen swims as the top seed at 44.97 with OCC's Richards (45.11) and Cuesta's Chris Reddick (45.84) ready to challenge him. The state meet record is 44.02.

In event 36, the 200 breaststroke state meet record fell in both 2012 (Lum in 1:59.35) and 2011 (Cerritos swimmer PJ Gabayeron in 2:00.24). That streak will likely end, but not before Merced's duo of Greene (2:04.07) and Luke Baum (2:04.12) battle with Modesto's Richard (2:05.14) for what figures to be a finish decided at the wall.

In event 38, Pasadena City's Stephen To returns to defend his state title in the 200 butterfly (1:50.52), but it may have to be a Houdini trick to repeat with his slower 1:55.38 seed. To rallied from well back last year and may have to do it again with DVC's Randall (1:51.63) and Golden West's Roa (1:52.08) expected to set the pace early.