Swim opens 2026 campaign

The 2026 swimming and dive season officially got underway for Saddleback on Friday at the Saddleback Aquatics Center.  The Bobcats had a chance to set some opening marks for the season.

Leading the way for the women was Delaney Cowan, who won two events on opening day.  Cowan was a winner in the 400 Individual Medley when she hit the pad at 4:56.47.  She followed that up with a win in the 200 Butterfly when she finished in a time of 2:24.32, which was nearly seven seconds faster than her closest competitor.  Cowan wasn't finished, finishing fourth in the 100 Butterfly in a time of 1:06.82.

Elle Clark had a pair of top-5 performances of her own.  Clark finished third in the 100 Breaststroke (1:14.37) while finishing fifth in the 200 Breaststroke (3:00.50).  Another with two top-5 performances on the women's side was Sophia Banua, who was fourth in both the 50 Freestyle (27.03) and 100 Individual Medley (1:12.44).  Lilian Wang was fifth in the 1650 Freestyle (30:01.07).

On the men's side, James Felker was the top scorer as a result of two top-5 finishes.  Felker was fourth in the 200 Butterfly 2:16.72) while finishing fifth in the 400 Individual Medley (4:54.47).  Tyler Kiklas joined him with a top-5 performance when he finished fourth in the 100 Backstroke in a time of 1:02.26.

Saddleback finished in fifth place in both the men's and women's team competitions. 

Saddleback swimming and dive will be back in action at the Cuesta Invitational next Friday in San Luis Obispo.