Abernathy Claims First in 1650yd Freestyle and Second in 200yd Freestyle

Photo By: Brad Hoiseth
Photo By: Brad Hoiseth
February 27, 2026
Results

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. - The Golden West College women's swim team opened conference competition with a strong showing at the 2026 Orange Empire Conference Invite #1, held February 27, finishing third overall with 407 team points.

Golden West delivered consistent scoring across distance, sprint, and relay events, highlighted by a dominant performance from Sienna Abernathy in the distance freestyle.

Abernathy captured first in the 1650-yard freestyle, touching in 19:34.04 to earn 20 team points. She controlled the race from the outset and closed with a strong final 50 (33.42) to secure the victory.

She also placed second in the 200-yard freestyle (2:06.60) for 17 points and added a sixth-place finish in the 200 IM (2:26.56), contributing 13 more points to the Rustlers' total.

Golden West opened the meet with a fourth-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay, as Abernathy, Savanna Ettinger, Zoe Esquivel, and Sam O'Donnell combined for a time of 1:48.64 (30 points).

The Rustlers closed the meet with another fourth-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay (2:07.29). The quartet of Hanna Menyhart, Esquivel, Abernathy, and Ettinger secured 30 additional points to cap the team's relay efforts.

Esquivel delivered a standout breaststroke performance, finishing second in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:14.30) for 17 points, and later placing second in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:40.11) to add another 17 points.

Ettinger contributed across multiple events, including:

  • Fifth in the 50-yard freestyle (27.12) – 14 points

  • Third in the 200-yard freestyle (2:11.52) – 16 points

  • Tied for fourth in the 200-yard backstroke (2:32.74) – 14.5 points

Menyhart added valuable backstroke points with:

  • Fourth in the 100-yard backstroke (1:10.76) – 15 points

  • Tied for fourth in the 200-yard backstroke (2:32.74) – 14.5 points

O'Donnell placed fourth in the 500-yard freestyle (5:58.34) for 15 points and added a fifth-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle (1:01.30).

In the IM and sprint events, Mimi Versegi scored in three events, including:

  • Fourth in the 100-yard freestyle (1:00.62) – 15 points

  • Fifth in the 100 IM (1:15.81) – 14 points

  • Eighth in the 100 butterfly (1:21.14) – 11 points

Catherine Le added points in the distance and breaststroke events, including an eighth-place finish in the 500 free (6:29.58) and sixth in the 100 IM (1:15.85).