Warrior mermen seeking reversal of loss to Bulldogs

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

Fallbrook High School’s boys swim team posted a 4-1 record in Valley League dual meet competition with a 108-78 loss April 5 at Ramona placing Fallbrook second behind the Bulldogs in the regular-season standings which account for half of the league championship formula.

The other half is based on positions at the league championship meet, which will be at Fallbrook High School and includes the diving competition April 28 and the league swim finals April 29, so if the Warriors outscore Ramona and the other four Valley League schools at the league meet, Fallbrook will share the league championship and could win the championship outright if Ramona places third or lower.

“We have a bigger team than everybody else,” said Fallbrook coach Bill Richardson. “That could help with points.”

In a league dual meet, each school is allowed three swimmers or divers in each individual event and position points are given for the top five finishes. Each team is allowed four swimmers or divers in each individual event at the league meet and more position points are awarded.

Fallbrook’s league season opened March 18 at home against Escondido Charter, and the Warriors won by a 107-16 margin. The March 25 meet at Fallbrook was a 112-59 Warriors victory over Mission Hills. The Warriors hosted Escondido on April 1 and prevailed by a 106-43 score.

That set up the April 5 meet between two teams which entered the competition with 3-0 league records. “We didn’t have everybody in Ramona,” Richardson said.

“I knew it was going to be competitive, and to not have your team at full strength is tough,” Richardson said. “We came up short.”

Valley Center High School home meets are at Adams Community Park Pool, and Fallbrook concluded league dual meet competition there April 8. The Warriors defeated the Jaguars in a 110-57 meet.

The 2021 Warriors had a 3-2 Valley League record, so Richardson sees a positive element of this year’s 4-1 mark. “Better than last year,” he said.