Visser claims WSC Pentathlon title

Rachelle Visser opened her sophomore season in grand style on Friday as she captured the WSC Pentathlon at L.A. Valley.

There were five events in the individual competition. Visser, a native of Amersfoort, Holland, won three of them, taking first in the 100-yard butterfly (1:01.20), the 100 backstroke (1:03.53) and the 100 breaststroke (1:13.65). She was second in the 100 IM (1:04.68) and third in the 100 freestyle (57.25).

Her total time of 5:20.31 was 22 seconds faster than the runner-up, Lexi Zimmerman of Bakersfield. SBCC's Katherine Warren was fifth in 5:47.15 as the Vaqueros took five of the top 13 spots. Sixty-three swimmers completed all five events.

"We swam well today and Rachelle swam great," said coach Chuckie Roth. "This is a great start to our year. We train hard and I was happy to see so many girls finishing with great times.

"Rachelle swam better than last year (when she finished second). I am really excited about her training and with the addition of Moose (Warren's nickname) to train with Rachelle, it creates a great environment."

Visser was instrumental in SBCC's 12th-place State finish last year in its first season of women's swimming. She had two thirds (100 Fly, 200 IM) and a fourth (100 back) at the State meet.

SBCC's Katerina Cummins was seventh in the Pentathlon, Ashley Macedo placed eighth and Autumn Lovett took 13th. Cummins and Warren were 3rd and 5th in the 100 back in 1:07.47 and 1:08.44, respectively. Macedo was fifth in the 100 breast (1:16.36) with Warren and Cummins taking sixth and seventh in the 100 fly.

Warren, Cummins and Macedo went 7-8-9 in the 100 IM and were separated by just .42 seconds with Warren clocking 1:09.60.

"I was very happy with our returners, Sarah Westmoreland and Autumn Lovett, who swam very well," said Roth. "Newcomers Macedo and Cummins showed some great times in their first outing as Vaqueros."

SBCC will take two weeks off before swimming in WSC No. 1 on Friday, Feb. 27 at L.A. Valley.