JAMES POISED FOR STATE SWIM REPEAT

May 4, 2016

DVC sophomore Brandon James, a Heritage High graduate, is favored to repeat as champion of the men's 100-yard and 200 backstroke at the CCCAA Swimming and Diving State Championship, which will be held Thursday through Saturday at East Los Angeles College.

James, who upped his game in the weight room this season, set state and national records in the 200 backstroke a year ago with a mark of 1:44.95, and looms as the obvious pick again after astrong showing at the Big 8 Conference Championship.

James also set the state-meet record in the 100 back last year with a time of 47.90 seconds, and no other swimmer in this year's field has cracked 50 seconds.

DVC has the top entering time for the men's 200 freestyle relay of 1:22.98, an event that figures to be tightly bunched. The Vikings set a state record last year in the men's 400 medley relay at 3:17.56, and should be in the title hunt again with a mark of 3:24.08 this season.

DVC also should figure prominently in the men's 200 medley relay and men's 400 free relay.

For a more complete preview of the CCCAA state meet:http://www.cccaasports.org/sports/mswimdive/2015-16/releases/20160428kr6s33