2008 Woodie Awards
Swimming Dual Meet
Robert Finkel, Special to the Star
Issue date: 3/2/05 Section: Sports
Valley College hosted a swimming "dual meet event" on Friday against Ventura College. The outdoor event was to have 27 competitions including diving, but lightning caused the cancellation of the remaining events.
Rain began at the same time the meet did. Valley Men's Swimming Coach Jim McMillan said, "The kids have been training hard. We are trying to get a fix on where they are."
Ventura coach Larry Baratte remarked that it was a good opportunity to get some racing experience and training.
The swimmers completed the women's 200 meter relay and the men's 400 meter relay.
The rain started to come down harder during these events and the sound of thunder could be heard in the distance. A Ventura swimmer who declined to give his name said that swim meets "continue in the rain, but not in case of lightning."
About an hour later, Valley competitor Valentine Alberti's teammates were cheering as she swam the 200 meter freestyle. She finished second with a compelling performance. Thunder accompanied her as she toweled off near the pool. Valley women's coach Bill Krauss encouraged her, but said, "Ventura men's probably has the best team in the state. Their woman's team is not quite as good."
At 3:30 p.m. the remaining fourteen events were called off, as thunder and lightning crashed. Ventura won every event up to that point.
Rain began at the same time the meet did. Valley Men's Swimming Coach Jim McMillan said, "The kids have been training hard. We are trying to get a fix on where they are."
Ventura coach Larry Baratte remarked that it was a good opportunity to get some racing experience and training.
The swimmers completed the women's 200 meter relay and the men's 400 meter relay.
The rain started to come down harder during these events and the sound of thunder could be heard in the distance. A Ventura swimmer who declined to give his name said that swim meets "continue in the rain, but not in case of lightning."
About an hour later, Valley competitor Valentine Alberti's teammates were cheering as she swam the 200 meter freestyle. She finished second with a compelling performance. Thunder accompanied her as she toweled off near the pool. Valley women's coach Bill Krauss encouraged her, but said, "Ventura men's probably has the best team in the state. Their woman's team is not quite as good."
At 3:30 p.m. the remaining fourteen events were called off, as thunder and lightning crashed. Ventura won every event up to that point.
