2023 CIF-SS Division 4 Championships: Orangewood’s Kenta Chiyo Sets Two Meet Records

2023 CIF-SS SWIMMING AND DIVING DIVISION 4 CHAMPIONSHIPS

• April 27-May 6, 2023
• Riverside Aquatic Complex
• SCY (25 Yards)
• Results
• 2023 Champions:
  • Girls: West Valley
  • Boys: Sierra Canyon

GIRLS FINALS RECAP

Charter Oak senior Kathryn Simpson opened things up with a victory in the 200 freestyle. Simpson, a George Washington commit, posted a 1:53.65 to top Cera Mallory by just under a second (1:54.35). Simpson returned to capture her second win in the free, stopping the clock in a season best time of 52.66.

Mallory, a senior Valencia-Placent, secured a victory of her own in the 500 free. The Utah Tech recruit swam a personal best time of 5:03.23, clearing the field by over two seconds.

Sophia Blietz, a sophomore from Santa Clarita Christian, was the other multiple event winner on the girls’ side. She clocked a 58.23 in the 100 backstroke, clearing the field by over four seconds. Her other victory was in the 100 fly, where she swam a 58.54 in finals. Joining Blietz under the minute barrier was sophomore Isabella Chavez, who took 2nd in 59.61.

West Valley topped Estancia by less than a second to win the 200 medley relay in 2:05.77. Calvary Christian won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:48.76, while Chino closed the meet out with a victory in the 400 freestyle relay (4:04.22).

BOYS FINALS RECAP

Orangewood senior Kenta Chiyo did not compete in finals, but set two new Division 4 meet records as an exhibition swimmer in prelims. He clocked a 48.36 in the 100 fly, putting himself less than a second off his personal best from Sectionals in December. He added another Division 4 meet record in the 100 back, swimming a personal best time of 48.48.

Pacific sophomore Connor McAleer was one of three boys to collect two individual victories. McAleer pulled off the 100 fly/100 free double, winning both events back-to-back. He won in best times of 49.18 and 51.61, respectively, improving on his prelims swims in both.

Oakwood senior Richard Chung also walked away with two event wins, as he captured both the mid-distance freestyle events.  He won the 200 in 1:42.04, topping runner-up Bo Zheng by over a second. He then cleared the field by over seven seconds in the 500, touching first at 4:34.44, while Zheng again took 2nd in 4:41.53.

Rounding out the double-event winners for the boys was Eric Rowe, a senior from Notre Dame – Riverside. Rowe got his hand on the wall first in the 50 freestyle in 22.38, out-touching Luigi Travi by under a tenth (22.46). Rowe secured his second victory in the 100 backstroke, again coming out on top of a very tight race. He stopped the clock at 55.18, less than a second ahead of runner up Josh Price (55.38) and Travi (55.69).

Sierra Canyon opened the finals session with a victory in the 200 medley relay (1:46.71), while Hemet swept the two freestyle relays in 1:34.92 and 3:31.55, respectively.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

• Girls 200 Medley Relay: West Valley — 2:05.77
• Boys 200 Medley relay: Sierra Canyon — 1:46.71
• Girls 200 Freestyle: Kathryn Simpson, Charter Oak — 1:53.65
• Boys 200 Freestyle: Richard Chung, Oakwood — 1:42.04
• Girls 200 IM: Adelle Brush, St. Monica — 2:12.18
• Boys 200 IM: Luke Haas, Sierra Canyon — 1:59.07
• Girls 50 Freestyle: Abigail Tamayo, Pacifica-Oxnard — 24.35
• Boys 50 Freestyle: Eric Rowe, Notre Dame-Riverside — 22.38
• Girls 100 Butterfly: Sophia Blietz, Santa Clarita Christian — 54.93
• Boys 100 Butterfly: Connor McAleer, Pacific — 51.61
• Girls 100 Freestyle: Kathryn Simpson, Charter Oak — 52.66
• Boys 100 Freestyle: Connor McAleer, Pacific — 49.18
• Girls 500 Freestyle: Cera Mallory, Valencia-Placent — 5:03.23
• Boys 500 Freestyle: Richard Chung, Oakwood — 4:34.44
• Girls 200 Freestyle Relay: Calvary Christian — 1:48.76
• Boys 200 Freestyle Relay: Hemet — 1:34.92
• Girls 100 Backstroke: Sophia Blietz, Santa Clarita Christian — 58.23
• Boys 100 Backstroke: Eric Rowe, Notre Dame-Riverside — 55.18
• Girls 100 Breaststroke: Kendall Keshen, Laguna Blanca — 1:09.26
• Boys 100 Breaststroke: Jaydan Chau, Covina — 59.71
• Girls 400 Freestyle Relay: Chino — 4:04.22
• Boys 400 Freestyle Relay: Hemet — 3:31.55