JAMES LEADS THE BACK PACK IN BIG 8 SWIM

As expected, Diablo Valley sophomore Brandon James took first place in the 100-yard backstroke in Friday's second day of the Big 8 Conference Championship at DVC. 
James, the defending state champion in the event, had a winning time of 48.94 and bested a competitive Sierra duo in the finals. 
The DVC men's 200 medley relay also took first place in 1:32.29. James swam the backstroke leg, Drew Pitcher the breaststroke, Jacob Frigard the b...utterfly and Garrett Middleton the freestyle as the Vikings beat runner-up Sierra. 
The Vikings men's 800 free relay was a distant second behind Sierra in the finals. 
DVC's women's 200 medley relay of Alyssa Jenkins (back), Christine Nip (breaststroke), Beverly Ayers (fly) and Mirelle Augst (freestyle) was third in the 200 medley relay (1:53.58). 
Ayers was also a close second in the women's 100 fly (1:00.49), and James was likewise in the men's 100 fly (50.73), one spot ahead of Frigard (51.60). The Vikings men flexed their muscle in the 100 fly, earning four of the top six spots. 
Additionally, Pitcher was second in the men's 100 breast (59.23) and Hernandez was fourth. 
The meet wraps up today with trials at 10 a.m. and the finals at 4 p.m.