Cuesta Men's Swimming was led by 2021 Cuesta College Athlete of the Year Lucas Esenwein (pict) and Freshman Ethan Blum (pict) as the Cougars battled Sierra for the top spot on the first day of the two-day meet.  Esenwein won the day's marquee race, the 100-freestyle, an event where he ranks 3rd all time at Cuesta.  Tomrrow he will also get a chance to chase his own Cuesta standard in his signature event, the 50-freestyle.  Esenwein also anchored the Cougars winning 200-freestyle and runner-up 800-freestyle relays.   Blum powered out a surprise victory in the 50-butterfly, but the victory has the freshman eying another title in the 100-butterfly tomorrow.  Returning Freshman Stash Perry also helped the Cougars climb the standings with a pair of silvers in the 200-backstroke and 200-individual medley.  

Tomorrow the Cougars will battle for a title and try to win their second meet of the weekend.  The Cougars won the Cuesta Sprint Meet on Thursday as part of their warm-up for the invitational, however full results have not been posted.