The Carpinteria boys swim team pulled ahead in the late going and won their first-ever CIF championship Saturday, including several medalists and three school record times.
The Warriors brought six boys and five girls to Santa Margarita Catholic School for the Division 4 finals. The girls swam very well, including a personal record in the 400 freestyle relay, and they finished 15th out of the 45 schools participating.
Halfway through the boys meet, the Warriors were neck-and-neck with California High School, and pulled ahead with strong performances in the 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, and 400 freestyle relay for the team win, coach Sergio Castaneda said.
Junior Augustus (Augie) Sheaffer had an amazing meet, placing third in the 200 IM with a PR of 2:07:00 (-3.29s), and placing 6th in the 100 Backstroke with a PR of 58:00 (-2.99s) — both for Carpinteria school records.
He also contributed heavily to the second-place 400 freestyle relay and the fifth place 200 medley relay.
“He jumped up the standings earning the Warriors many much needed points, had two incredible PRs, swam great splits in both his relays, and now owns the Carpinteria High School record for the 200 IM and 100 Backstroke,” Castaneda said. “He did this all in one meet!”
Junior Matthew Lamberti placed third in the 50 freestyle with a personal record of 22.91 and fourth in the 100 freestyle with a PR of 49.64.
“He is now the proud owner of the 100 freestyle record at Carpinteria high school and scored massive points with his high placements,” Castaneda said.
Freshman Jackson Melton placed sixth in the 200 IM (2:10.63) and fifth in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.52).
The boys relay teams placed fifth in the 200 medley relay (Sheaffer, Melton, Justin Main, Aiden Neuron) with a PR 1:48.50; third for the 200 freestyle relay (Lamberti, Main, Melton, Asher Smith) with a PR and school record of 1:34.41; and 2nd in the 400 freestyle relay (Lamberti, Smith, Neuron, Sheaffer with a PR of 3:29.68.
“The boys truly gave their hearts and put their best efforts into every swim,” Castaneda said. “This squad of six boys put in the work, grinded throughout the season, and were rewarded with Carpinteria’s first ever CIF title.”
For the girls, Junior Piper Clayton held strong in both her events, placing eighth in the 200 Free (2:10.01) and eighth in the 500 freestyle (5:53.89).
Freshman Lilli Nemetz swam to 14th in the 200 IM with a 2:38.45, “giving her a solid performance and experience as a swimmer with only one month on the team,” Castaneda said.
Sophomore Taylor Classen placed 11th in the 200 IM with a PR of 2.35.47 and 15th in the 100 butterfly with a 1:10.56.
“I could not be more proud of this team,” Castaneda said. “I could not have imagined that six young boys and a coach who literally only swam three years in high school as his credentials would be winning CIF, but here we are and it isn’t a dream. Everyone gave everything they had this season. Every single meet had massive PRs and crazy time losses across the board. Every athlete got faster by a significant margin. I can happily say this has been the best season I’ve ever coached, and I’m excited to see ALL their faces again next year. This wouldn’t have happened without the massive support from parents, friends, administration at Carpinteria High, and the best assistant coach I could’ve ever asked for, Jon Otsuki. Press on Warriors, Always!”
Carpinteria finishers
Girls
200 medley relay
13th place — 1) Taylor Classen So 2) Lilli Nemetz Fr 3) Devyn Clayton Fr 4) Piper Clayton Jr, 2:15.25
200 freestyle
8th place — Piper Clayton 2:10.01
200 IM
11th place — Taylor Classen 2:35.47
14th place — Lilli Nemetz 2:38.45
100 butterfly
15th place — Taylor Classen 1:10.56
500 freestyle
8th place — Piper Clayton 5:53.89
400 freestyle
12th place — 1) Taylor Classen So 2) Monica Delgado So 3) Lilli Nemetz Fr 4) Piper Clayton Jr, 4:19.08
Boys
200 medley relay
5th place — 1) Augustus Sheaffer Jr 2) Jackson Melton Fr 3) Justin Main So 4) Aiden Neuron Fr, 1:48.50
200 freestyle
8th place — Justin Main 1:55.40
14th place — Aiden Neuron 2:02.09
200 IM
3rd place — Augustus Sheaffer 2:07.00
6th place — Jackson Melton 2:10.63
50 freestyle
3rd place — Matthew Lamberti 22.91
100 butterfly
12th place — Asher Smith 1:00.11
100 freestyle
4th place — Matthew Lamberti 49.64
12th place — Justin Main 52.06
500 freestyle
7th place — Aiden Neuron 5:24.11
200 freestyle relay
3rd place — 1) Matthew Lamberti Jr 2) Justin Main So 3) Jackson Melton Fr 4) Asher Smith Fr, 1:36.38
100 backstroke
6th place — Augustus Sheaffer 58.00
11th place — Asher Smith 59.85
100 breaststroke
5th place — Jackson Melton 1:06.56
400 freestyle relay
2nd place — 1) Matthew Lamberti Jr 2) Asher Smith Fr 3) Aiden Neuron Fr 4) Augustus Sheaffer Jr, 3:29.68