Men second, women third at CVC Kickoff meet

College of the Sequoias' swimming and diving teams opened the season Jan. 31 at the Central Valley Conference Kickoff meet in Merced, with the Giants men finishing second and the women third out of four teams.

Mark Marroquin (Kingsburg) led COS' men by winning the 200 individual medley (2:22.64), and placing fourth in the 50 back (34.52) and 100 IM (1:04.37). Henry Ordonez (Hanford West) was third in the 100 breast (1:16.15) and fourth in the 50 breast (33.07) for the Giants, who scored 407 points. Merced won with 769.

Anna Nippoldt (Immanuel) won three events -- the 50 back in 30.83, the 50 free in 26.68 and the 100 IM in 1:10.34) -- to lead COS' women.

Sophie Terry (Redwood) was second in the 50 free (27.93) and Maddie Pallares (Kingsburg) was third in the 100 breast (1:18.31) as the Giants' women finished with 507 points. Merced was first with 552, followed by Clovis with 535.

COS returns to action at 1 p.m. Feb. 7 at the San Francisco Invitational.

The Giants only home meet of the season is set for 1 p.m. March 20 against Bakersfield and Cuesta.