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MISSION VIEJO — Noah Taylor used his home-pool knowledge and sprinting speed Thursday to capitalize on Trabuco Hills’ shift to Division 3 for the CIF Southern Section swimming prelims.
Racing in his club team’s pool, the Biola-bound senior qualified second in the 100-yard butterfly and third in the 50 freestyle to help pace Orange County swimmers at Marguerite Aquatics Center.
Taylor, a club swimmer with the host Mission Viejo Nadadores, won his heat in the butterfly in 50.17 seconds and also touched first in his 50 free heat with a near, lifetime-best 21.00.
He said racing in his home pool made a difference.
“It’s really helpful,” he explained. “A lot of people were complaining about (how) there’s a little step on the walls (below the surface).
“But because I’ve swimming here 10, 11 years, it’s easy for me,” he added. “That step isn’t very long, so it’s not going to affect your dive or turn or anything.”
Taylor also team with Camron Simmons, Ethan Bergen and Nolan Seiwert to qualify Trabuco Hills second in the 200 free relay with a 1:29.04. Taylor, who plans to study film at Biola, blazed his anchor in 20.37.
The Mustangs have raced in Division 1 in recent seasons but fell two divisions as the section shifted to a power-point system that judges times from league finals and CIF last spring.
“Just climbing back up in the ranks is our goal,” said Taylor, whose squad is led by first-year coach Ryan Mock.
El Modena sophomore Grace Wharton paced the county girls. The defending Division 3 champion in the 500 free qualified second with a school-record 4:59.32. She also claimed the No. 2 seed backstroke with a 57.95.
The 500 free and 100 backstroke events are close in the meet schedule, presenting a challenging and unique double.
“I’m really tired right now,” Wharton said after the backstroke. “I’m adding a lot (of time) but it’s all right. Hopefully I’m better by Saturday.”
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The Division 3 and 4 finals are Saturday at 2 p.m.
UC San Diego-bound Skyler Kao of Sunny Hills claimed the No. 2 seed in the boys 500 free with a 4:37.52.