Martinez Swims to Win

Thoni, Kristen Burdett, Weiman, and Nelson Help Girls Place Seventh

By: Bobby Puppione

Vince Martinez swam to a repeat victory in the 100-yard freestyle race at the North Coast Section Swimming and Diving Championships last Saturday morning at Campolindo High School in Moraga. On the girls' side, the foursome of Kelly Thoni, Kristen Burdett, Candace Weiman, and Julie Nelson swam together and individually, picking up enough points to place their team in seventh.

A year ago, Martinez took home victories in both the 50 and 100 freestyle. This year, he was out-dueled in the 50 by Lick-Wilmerding sophomore Ben Wildman-Tobringer. Martinez was just .03 seconds shy of Tobringer's winning time of 21.04.

Upset over his loss in the 50, Martinez came out strong in the 100-yard freestyle, taking home the championship in a time of 45.15. He will be attending the University of Pacific in Stockton in the fall on a swimming scholarship.

The foursome, consisting of two senior (Burdett and Thoni) and two juniors (Weiman and Nelson), swam together in the 200-yard medley relay, placing fourth and qualifying themselves for All-American status. They also raced to sixth place in the 200-yard free relay.

Individually, Weiman placed second in the 100-yard fly and sixth in the 200-yard free, while Thoni placed sixth in the 50-yard free to lead the Lady Trojans to seventh place overall.

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