Manny Being Manny: Sanchez Earns SCIAC Swimmer of the Year Honors
Manny Sanchez '08 was named SCIAC Male Swimmer of the Year after
winning his six, seventh and eighth career conference titles at the
2008 SCIAC Championships at the Cerritos Aquatics Center on
February 21-23.
On the first day, Sanchez broke his own record in the 200-yard
individual medley on his way to winning the event with a time of
1:54.13. The time was also good enough for an NCAA "B" cut
and a trip to the National Championships at Miami University (Ohio)
on March 13-15.
On day two, Sanchez took his second title in the 100-yard
breaststroke on day two. His time of 57.45 seconds was good
for yet another NCAA "B" cut. He finished his weekend with
the 200-yard breaststroke championship. His third title also
brought his third NCAA qualifying time (2:05.7). The time is
the tenth-best time in all of Division III.
Sanchez wasn't the only Poet to have success at the
Championships. Sam Benedum '09 finished fourth in the
100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:01.61. He also took
11th in the 50-yard freestyle and 13th in the
100 free.
On the women's side, Catherine Gouge '08 finished fifth in the
100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:11.19. Sara Wolff '11
finished eighth in the women's 50-yard freestyle with a time of
25.64 seconds. Gouge finished 16th in the same
event with a time of 26.40 seconds. Wolff also finished tenth
in the 100 free and Gouge was 16th in that event as
well.
