EL CAJON — Watch out for Granite Hills freshman Emmy Morgan in the CIF San Diego Section Division 1 swim championships.
Morgan is set to challenge defending champions in two races after qualifying second in the 200-yard freestyle (1 minute, 50.86 seconds) and first in the 500 freestyle (4:53.51) at the prelims Thursday in her home pool.
The finals are at 3 p.m. Saturday at the same site.
“I’m really excited,” Morgan said. “I like the energy here. Hopefully, I’ll get first in the 500 and, hopefully, too, the 200.”
The 200 freestyle brings a matchup with Torrey Pines junior Aya Ferguson, who led qualifying in that event (1:50.19) and the 100 free 50.79) in her bid for repeat titles.
“I’m excited to race her,” said Ferguson, who will swim collegiately at Northwestern. “We each race a little differently, so it will be exciting to see the dynamic between us. It will make us go faster.”
The 500 freestyle has San Marcos senior Lauren Putnam going for an encore crown after placing second in the prelims (5:03.97).
On the boys’ side, yet another freshman stepped up as Westview’s Derek Ho qualified first in the 200 IM (1:52.17) and 100 breaststroke (57.90).
Del Norte senior Julien Rousseau looked to claim double wins for the third time. A year ago, he reached the finals but couldn’t prevail due to a sore shoulder blade suffered a week before the meet.
The future Cal swimmer led this year’s qualifying in the 200 freestyle (1:38.24) and 500 freestyle (4:25.73).
“I feel a lot better being healthy. Now I can race my best times,” said Rousseau, who has a goal of significantly trimming his best 500 freestyle time (4:23.15) from two years ago.
San Marcos senior Cassidy Allison kept on track for a career sweep of twin wins with top times in the girls 200 IM (2:01.78) and the 100 butterfly (54.39).
Going for his first titles, Poway senior Benjamin Stone recorded leading times in the 50 freestyle (20.59) and the 100 freestyle (45.71).
