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Turlock, Pitman take top spots in Nor Cal Relays
Turlock boys swimming
Cameron Dhanowa, seen here during the Bulldogs' home meet against Golden Valley, helped the Bulldogs to notch a Nor Cal Relays victory. - photo by Journal file photo

The Central California Conference and the Modesto Metro Conference gathered together for Saturday's Nor Cal Relay at Johansen High with Turlock and Pitman owning the day on the pool.

 

By the time the final race had concluded Turlock was sitting atop, just one point ahead of Pitman, 195-194.

 

“Yeah, it felt great. It just really speaks on our depth as a program both on the boys and girls side,” said Turlock boys head coach Nick Serratos. “Both squads are very young and it shows how far our program has come in the last couple of years.”

 

Although the Bulldogs won overall, the Pride were the most consistent of the 13 schools, finishing second in the varsity girls and boys division.

 

“Just kind of a perfect storm of things that have to happen,” said Pitman boys head coach Ryan Bullard. “I didn't know it was a point difference, but we had several things happen not our way and then it was all those random things that cost us that point.”

 

The winner was decided with a combination of the JV and varsity points combined. Pitman lacked the size for a JV boys team, which then forced the squad to be disqualified in the final race and the Pride were given no points.

 

The combination for the boys consisted of Allan Quinn, Gavin Madrigal, Tanner Day, Jacob Wolfe, Weston Tilby, Cameron Olson, Joshua Buch and Nathan Olson.

 

Combined, the Pitman boys tallied two first place finishes in the 4x100 yard freestyle relay and the all event relay. The two second place endings came in the 4x50 fly/free relay and the 4x100 IM relay.

 

“We usually place well in relays and individually we did really well, Turlock just had more consistency at every level,” Bullard said.“The lack of points from our JV boys squad cost us placing in the overall points category. Ultimately, it was a great showing for our varsity boys and girls.”

 

The Turlock boys were led by Zach Glidden and junior Cameron Dhanowa and as a team they placed third in the back-breast relay, the 100 medley relay, the 200 medley relay and in the all events relays.

 

Taylor Askil, Lucy Deitz, Hannah Groteguth and Sarah Phillips led the Bulldog varsity girls, which notched one first place finish in the 200 back-breast relay and two second-place outings in the 200 free relay and the IM relay.

 

In the 400 IM relay the Lady Bulldogs placed third.

 

“I do think that the outcome shows huge progress in our swim program,” said Turlock girls head coach Lauren Bettencourt. “We haven't won since the Feaver era, I honestly don't know the last time but it's been at least 10 years.”

 

Pitman's next meet will be at Buhach Colony against the Thunder at 3 p.m. April 2.

 

Turlock will travel to Atwater High to take on the Falcons at 3 p.m. Friday.