Vaqueros claim fourth straight WSC title; Shimizu is co-Swimmer of the Meet

Sarah Parson captured the 200 breaststroke in a school-record time and Kelee Shimizu won her third individual title on Saturday as SBCC earned its fourth straight WSC Women's Swimming & Diving title at Bakersfield College.

Shimizu, a freshman from Hawaii, won the 1650 freestyle in 18:16.11, the No. 3 all-time Vaquero mark. She was named co-Swimmer of the Meet with Caitlin Hecker of L.A. Valley. Shimizu won the 200, 500 and 1650 free races and swam on three winning relays.

The Vaqueros took the 400 free relay, the last event of the meet, in 3:34.41, setting a new WSC record and breaking the school record by 2.4 seconds. Parson started that relay and was followed by Meagan Mckillican, Shimizu and Kendra Carr.

The Vaqueros set three school records on Saturday and five for the three-day meet. They went 25-0 in Western State Conference meets this year and have won 88 in a row, dating to 2015.

Santa Barbara topped the 10-team field with 626 points. Bakersfield was second with 535 and Cuesta took third with 445.

Parson won the 200 breast in 2:23.35, shaving nearly five seconds off Addison Seale's school record. Daniela Garza was fifth in the race.

Mckillican was second in the 200 back in a school-record 2:13.71 and Carr took second in the 100 free in 52.80, missing the school record by .08 seconds and setting a PR by two seconds. Parson was third in 53.75.

'We swam amazing today, arguably the best day in SBCC swim history," said fifth-year coach Chuckie Roth "We went 18-for-18 on best times.

"I'm so proud of my entire team and their hard work this entire year. Everybody contributed to this successful season. I'm super proud of the fast swimming but more proud of the life lessons we learned. We're off to state with one of our most competitive groups yet and looking forward to a great meet in two weeks."

SBCC has finished fourth in the state the last two years.

The Vaqueros will compete in the CCCAA State Championships on May 3-5 at De Anza College in Cupertino.