Vikings swimmers relish blue skies, nice wins
March 15, 2016
The Diablo Valley men's and women's swimming teams have been dancing around puddles and pounding opponents in the deeper water.
Now that the skies have finally cleared, Coach Rick Millington's aquatic animals are looking for more prey.
They will host the Big 8 Invitational on Friday, a preview meet for the Big 8 Championships April 21-23 at DVC.
The Vikings' men and women swept a dual meet against formidable Pasadena on Friday, and then swept the team titles at the Mariner Invitational on Saturday at Indian Valley College in Marin.
Last year, the Vikings women finished third in the state standing, and Pasadena was fifth. The Vikings men were No. 2 in California.
Former Heritage High star Brandon James, who set state and national records in the 200 backstroke at the 2015 CCCAA state meet, has been looking very good.
On March 25, the Vikings will host an emerging power in Las Positas in a dual meet.
Baseball
The Vikings, who open Big 8 play at Santa Rosa on Monday, entered the week having won four of their past five.
The Big 8 is your basic baseball beast. Six teams, including DVC, are opening conference play with at least 10 wins, paced by San Joaquin Delta (15-1).
In a 5-3 win over Canada on March 9 in Redwood City, Billy Babb (3-1) went six solid innings to get the win, and Doug Nimura got the save. He allowed one earned run over the final three innings, striking out five and walking none.
Catcher Adam Remotto drew three walks, John Anthon doubled and had two RBIs, and Ryan Tom tripled.
The Vikings are at Santa Rosa again on Tuesday and host the Bear Cubs on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.
Softball
The Vikings (16-2-1), who entered the week riding a three-game winning streak by a combined 32-0, will host Sacramento City (12-4-1) in their Big 8 opener at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
Sophomore Nicole Nordahl remains atop the state rankings with 150 strikeouts, and is No. 2 in wins with 16.
In a 13-0 win over Contra Costa in the first game of a doubleheader, the Vikings had 12 hits over five innings. Julia Pelletier was 3 for 3 with a double and four RBIs and two runs scored. Ciara Whitesell also had a double and three RBIs.
In the second game, Bailey Simmons had a triple in a 10-0 win.
Track and field
The Vikings were off last week, but did receive some excellent news.
Geoffrey Weseman was named Big 8 Track and Field male athlete of the week after his lifetime best of 1:55.29 in the 800 in the Beaver Relays on March 7, good for first place overall and No. 4 in the state.
-- Matt Schwab