After beginning the season with the death of head dive coach Tim Nobriga, both SRJC swim and dive teams honored his memory. This year, both teams are on track for a state championship.

Head swim coach Jill McCormick invited Nobriga’s wife Sue Nobriga to the Nor Cal diving championships on April 16, which began with a moment of silence honoring Nobriga’s legacy.

“It was a difficult day for all of us, but the sun was out and they competed in a way that honored his memory,” McCormick said.

The men’s team had an all-around good performance during the Nor Cal diving championship, but none of the four divers qualified for state. “The men were just one place short on both boards, heartbreaking,” McCormick said.

The women’s team captain Vanessa Giosso was the only SRJC diver to qualify for state, placing in the top six on both boards. “She was the shining light of the diving portion,” McCormick said.

The five Bear Cub divers scored more than 100 points in conference, increasing SRJC chances of winning the Big 8. “That really gave us an edge going into the swimming portion of the meet,” McCormick said.

The Big 8 swimming championships began April 21, and SRJC had a strong showing. Both swim teams placed in the top three in every relay event, with the men winning the 200-yard freestyle relay and the 400-yard medley relay. The women finished second in both events.

Men’s team captain Matt Stuhr won Male Performance of the Meet with his Big 8 conference record-breaking performance in the 200-yard freestyle. Stuhr competed in seven events throughout the meet and catalyzed the team.

Freshmen swimmer Sean Malley and 2010 All-American Dan Crase won both their backstroke events. Malley won the 100-yard and Crase the 200-yard.

Women’s team captain Jillian Clark and Jessica Crawford were the backbone for the women’s squad by competing in six events each and providing support for their fellow swimmers. Crawford’s best individual finish was second place in the 50-Yard Butterfly, while Clark finished in the individual top five twice.

Freshmen swimmer Becky Bennigson won the 500-Yard Freestyle and 2010 All-American Lauren Bugglin placed in the top three in all of her events.

Entering the state championship beginning March 28, the men’s team is in first place in the Big 8 conference and the women’s team is in fourth place, but only 70 points separate the team from the top.