It was 105 degrees on the pool deck when the Turlock Sea Dogs hosted the Manteca Dolphins on Saturday. Parents and spectators took refuge under canopies and the young competitors cooled down in the water, but Manteca could do little to beat the heat Turlock had to offer as they succumbed to the Sea Dogs by more than 600 points.

“We both had great swims and athletes but sometimes it just comes down to the numbers,” Sea Dog coach Erich Richter said.

A week after losing rival Ripon Sea Lions by a close, 25-point margin at the Oakdale Invitational, Turlock was eager to perform well against Manteca as a prelude to the upcoming Sea Dog Invitational at California State University, Stanislaus. Now, with a 3-0 dual meet record, Turlock is aiming for its first victory at their home-invitational.

“A lot of my kids are looking forward to the meet and think we can win it,” Richter said.

Turlock will have to compete against Ripon and Manteca again this Saturday as well as the Oakdale Gators, Modesto Sharks and Ceres Dolphins.