Falcons splash

It was an encouraging Thursday for the River Valley High swim team.

The Falcons set so many new school records at the Gauche Aquatic Center, head coach Larry Lammert "lost count."

The boys turned in a 111-34 win over the Natomas boys, the girls swam past the Nighthawk girls, 120-49, and the boys and girls combined to set nine school records — a huge feat considering last year's output.

"We only had six girls on the team last year," said Lammert about his young Falcons team. "Last year we had a total of 16 kids to start the season, this year we have over 30 on the team. So today was the girls' first varsity win."

River Valley's Samantha Ludwig set the pace early on and finished the day with four first-place finishes in every heat she competed in, including the 200 medley relay (2:17.32) to begin the day, the 200 individual medley (2:43.94), the 100 butterfly (1:19.49) and the 400 freestyle relay (4:40.21) — three of which she had a helping hand setting school records in.

"We had some very good individual performances today," Lammert said. "We're a very young, but good team."

Kate Spatafore, along with Ellen Sweeney, Morgan Baker and Ludwig kicked off the day with an impressive record-setting swim in the 200 medley relay, and then Spatafore followed that performance up by edging Natomas' Arie Auvil in the 200 freestyle — and in doing so, set another school record (2:22.71). "I lost count of them (records)," Lammert said following the meet.

River Valley's Hillary Kissinger took first in the 100 freestyle, before Spatafore ran away with a win in the 500 freestyle. Kissinger, along with Victoria Martinez, Ashley Tudor and Sweeney, topped Natomas in the 200 freestyle relay, thanks in large part to Martinez, who extended a tight early lead to eight seconds near the midway point.

Sweeney picked up a win over Natomas' Rosie Stone in the 100 backstroke, before Baker took first in the 100 breaststroke.

Brittany Frumeni, Baker, Ludwig and Spatafore all teamed up to set a new school record in the 400 freestyle relay (4:40.21) to close up the day. Baker was also edged by a finger tip in the 50 freestyle by Auvil. The boys set three records — in the 50 freestyle, 500 freestyle and 100 backstroke — and Tyler Bellenfant illustrated why he's one of the top young swimmers in the area. The freshman posted four wins, two in relays, and in the 100 backstroke (1:01.57) and 200 IM (2:20.23).

"Tyler's backstroke was probably the best swim of the day," Lammert said.

Bellenfant, along with Nathan Sawyer — who edged Natomas' James Derrick in the 50 freestyle and also won the 100 butterfly — Andrew Delgado and Michael Suyeda began their day with a win in the 200 medley relay.

Freshman Max Lammert posted just as good of a day as his counterpart and was nothing short of outstanding, finishing first in the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, and contributing to two first-place finishes in the 200 freestyle — in what was the most competitive heat of the day — and the 400 freestyle relay. River Valley will visit Inderkum next week.

Contact sports reporter Bryan DeMain at 749-4796 or bdemain@appeal-democrat.com.