Coronado High School senior Sam Quarles repeatedly set San Diego Section swim records at this year’s section meet. Now he’s looking to do so again at the State Championships.
Quarles has been seeded second in both the boys 100-yard freestyle (43.65) and the 200 free (1:36.77) after establishing marks last week first in the section prelims and then the finals.
The eighth state meet is slated today through Saturday at Clovis West High School.
“I’m really excited,” said Quarles, making his state debut after missing last season while recovering from COVID-19. “It’s going to be fun to race some of the best in the country. I hope to take some more off my times.”
University City senior Kathryn Hazle is also shooting to improve on her record from last week in the girls 200 individual medley record (1:58.69) as the second seed after bying the state meet a year ago. In addition, she owns the top seed in the 500 free (4:46.67).
Also coming off a record-setting showing in the section meet, Torrey Pines junior Logan Noguchi has the third seed in the 100 butterfly (47.50). Plus he’s seeded third in the 100 back (48.46) with a time just off his section record (48.36) from last year.
Noguchi, who owns the section 200 IM record (1:48.55) as well, placed sixth in the 100 back (48.74) at last year’s state meet.
Canyon Crest senior Andrew Ko has the sixth seed in the boys 100 breast (55.13) in the bid to better his section record (54.53) set in last year’s state meet.
La Jolla junior Arielle Brotman is seeded third in the girls 100 fly (53.92) and fifth in the 100 breast (1:02.53). A year ago, she placed eighth in the 200 IM (2:02.13).
Thien is a freelance writer.
