Malich Enjoys Double Dip; Loyola Wins Boys’ Title

One hundredth of a second might seem insignificant, but it is critical to a sprint swimmer.

Brian Malich of El Dorado High in Placentia made every second count Saturday night when he set Division II boys’ records in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events at the Southern Section swimming championships at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach.

Malich’s time of 20.52 in the 50 eclipsed the mark of 20.53, set by John Jenkins of Crescenta Valley in 1993.

Malich returned to the pool about 30 minutes later and won the 100 in 45.00, breaking his own record of 45.15, set in last year’s finals.

“I wanted both of the records,” said Malich, the boys’ swimmer of the meet. “It’s pretty cool, especially since both of my times were faster than the Division I guys [Friday night]. I guess us Division II guys can move pretty fast too.

“It’s nice to get some attention for the lower divisions. There’s some great swimming in Division II and III as well.”

Malich, who also anchored El Dorado to a Division II record of 1:25.64 in the 200 freestyle relay, said he enjoys swimming the 50.

“It’s such a pure adrenaline rush,” said Malich, who bettered the Division I winning times of Mission Viejo’s Matt Burny. “Your blood gets pumping and it’s the kind of high I’ve never felt before.”

But he knew he’d have to remain under control long enough to negotiate a quick flip turn.

“I had a great turn,” Malich said. “I’ve been working hard in practice developing a good streamline [keeping the arms in a straight position during the flip] and all my work paid off.”

Malich also gave credit to his coach, Michael Ashe, saying, “he’s been working on my kick all year and that’s what’s made the big difference in my speed.”

Loyola won the Division II boys’ team title, outscoring El Dorado, 232-210. Crescenta Valley finished third with 190 points.

“It was a great performance from both an individual and team standpoint,” Ashe said. “But you can’t take anything away from Malich. He set two records and beat both Division I times to boot.”

Palm Desert came from behind to win the boys’ Division III title, 183-182, over Paso Robles by winning the final event, the 400 freestyle.

Laguna Hills defended its Division II girls’ title, outpointing Peninsula, 270 1/2-174 1/2.

Freshman Shauna Barnard led Laguna Hills with a first-place finish in the 200 individual medley and a second in the 500 freestyle.

The Jurupa Valley girls placed second in the 400 freestyle, finishing with 158 points and earning a Division III co-championship with Cathedral City.

Temple City’s Sarah Baham set a Division III record, 55.89, in the 100 butterfly. Steve Poling of Laguna Hills set a Division II record of 56.37 in the breaststroke, beating his time in a qualifying heat.