Rustlers Finish 5th in Sprint Invite

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — The Golden West College women's swim team turned in a strong, well-balanced performance while hosting the 2026 Golden West Sprint Invite on Friday, February 20, at the Golden West Aquatics Center. The one-day sprint-focused meet featured a deep field of Southern California programs and showcased the Rustlers' depth across individual events and relays.

Golden West was led by an outstanding day from Sienna Abernathy, who delivered multiple top finishes to pace the Rustlers. Abernathy captured first place in the 100-yard Individual Medley, touching in 1:08.11, and followed with a second-place finish in the 50-yard backstroke at 31.96. She also placed second in the 500-yard freestyle, posting a time of 5:37.35, making her one of the top point scorers of the meet for Golden West.

In relay action, the Rustlers' 200-yard medley relay 'A' team of Savanna Ettinger, Zoe Esquivel, Abernathy, and Sam O'Donnell finished seventh overall with a time of 2:09.42, while Golden West fielded three total medley relay squads to open the meet. Later in the day, the 800-yard freestyle relay 'A' team of Abernathy, Esquivel, O'Donnell, and Ettinger earned a third-place finish, clocking 8:57.32 against a strong field.

Golden West continued to score consistently in individual sprint events. Savanna Ettinger posted a fifth-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke (1:08.37) and added a 10th-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle (27.88). Hanna Menyhart turned in a solid swim in the 200-yard IM, placing sixth with a time of 2:35.44, while Mimi Versegi finished fifth in the 200-yard freestyle (2:13.73) and sixth in the 100-yard freestyle (1:01.06).

Additional Rustler contributors included Sam O'Donnell, who placed ninth in the 100-yard freestyle (1:02.79) and seventh in the 200-yard IM (2:43.77), and Emily Cislo, who recorded a 14th-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle (1:04.33) and competed in multiple relays. Catherine Le, Sophie Kresge, Crystal Fernandez, Monet Panter, Mya Huynh, and Kaylee Huynh each added valuable swims across freestyle, butterfly, IM, and relay events as Golden West showcased its roster depth.

The Rustlers closed the meet with a sixth-place finish in the 400-yard medley relay, as the quartet of Ettinger, Esquivel, Abernathy, and O'Donnell touched in 4:50.35.