Cuesta Men's Swim and Dive jumped into action at the Western State Conference Preview Meet last Friday in Ventura.  The event featured all ten member schools in the WSC, and the Cougars topped them all.  Cuesta captured a meet-best 568 points to nearly double Runner-up Bakersfield's total of 305 points.  Cuesta boasted eight titles over a dozen events, while adding a trio of Silvers and a lone 4th place finish.  Freshman Brady Lind led the way with a trio of individual victories, while returning All American Ethan Merritt (pict) also added a pair of titles.  Lind claimed the 100 and 200-freestyles, in :48.25 and 1:48.29, respectively, and then powered to the front of the pack in the 100-butterfly with a time of :54.87.  Merritt, who earned All American honors in both breaststrokes as a freshman, announced he is back in contention for a title this season.  Last weekend he cruised to victory in the 100-breaststroke with a time of 1:00.44, while also claiming the 200-individual medley (2:06.97).  

The Cougars take this week off and are scheduled to compete in their first Western State Conference Mini Meet next Friday (11 AM), February 23, in Bakersfield.  

Cuesta Event Titles

100-Freestyle- Brady Lind- :48.25

200-Freestyle- Brady Lind- 1:48.29

100 Butterfly- Brady Lind- :54.87

100 Breaststroke- Ethan Merritt- 1:00.44 

100 Individual Medley- Ethan Merritt- 2:06.97 

50-Freestyle- Rylan Stevenson- :22.33

200-Free Relay- 1:28.49

200-Medley Relay- 1:40.39