While doing the butterfly Carson's Jason Henderson swims the third leg of the 200 yard medley during a meet at Carson against Spanish Springs Friday, March 26, 2010.
Carson High's boys swim team got help from the expected and unexpected in knocking off Spanish Springs, 144-132, Friday afternoon at the Carson Aquatic Center.
As expected, sophomore Jacob Branco enjoyed a successful day with a 500 free win in 5:23.17 and a second place in the 200 free in 2:03.30. He also swam legs on the second-place 200 medley relay team and the winning 400 free relay team. Another key effort was turned in by senior Luke Gentner, who won the 50 free in 23.26, placed second in the 100 back (1:09.1) and swam legs on the winning 400 free relay and the 200 free relay.
The unexpected came in the performances by Gary Showalter and freshman Angel Salas. Showalter took third in the 100 fly (1:16.06), first in the 100 breast (1:10.66) and swam legs on the winning 400 free relay and 200 individual medley relay squad which finished second. Salas won the 200 IM in 2:51.24 and was fourth in the 100 fly (1:26.71).
Branco said he knew it would take big efforts from everybody on the team to offset the absence of Tim Grunert and Albert Reed, who were in California with the Carson Tigersharks squad.
"I really felt that way," Branco said. "This meet showed me we have some very talented swimmers. Gary (Showalter) swam well."
"When he (Gary) and Ashton (McIntosh went 1-2 in the 100 breast that was big," Carson coach Monica Weaver. "It made the difference."
It gave Carson a 131-127 lead entering the final event of the day, the 400 free relay, which Carson took a first and third in.
Branco said the 5:23.17 was pretty close to his average time. He had enough left in the tank to win the 500 after cruising in the 200.
"I felt pretty good (in the 200)," Branco said. "My major competition (Alex Paul) turned in a fantastic time. I held off so I could concentrate on the 500."
Ashton McIntosh also had a solid day with a first in the 100 free (55.40) and a second in the 100 breast (1:12.63).
GIRLS
SPANISH SPRINGS 184, CARSON 102
Jamie Showalter enjoyed a huge meet for the Senators, winning the 200 free (2:04.57) and the 100 fly (1:09.86, personal best) in addition to swimming legs on the second-place 200 IM relay squad and the second-place 400 free relay quartet.
In the 200, Showalter finished fast in the final 50 to grab the win over the Cougars' Melina Blondfield and Kate Branson. Showalter and teammate Nicole Updegrove were in third and second, respectively, after two laps of the 100 fly. Showalter finished fast, passing Updegrove and Spanish Springs' Melina Blondfield for the win and a personal-best time.
"I'm definitely back half," Showalter said, referring to her strategy of finishing fast. "That was one of my best times (in the 200).
"It's not my primary stroke. I just wanted to finish. When they said "1:09", I was surprised."
Erin Chang was second in the 200 IM (2:37.57) and the 50 free (28.28). She also swam a leg on the second-place 200 IM quartet and the 400 free relay squad. Danielle Stanka won the 500 free in 6:10.04, shaving nearly 12 seconds off her previous best time.
The Senators competed without Abigail Pittman and Sophie Holmes, who are competing with the Carson Tigersharks this weekend.