Poly, Wilson split key Moore League swim meet

LONG BEACH >> The Pete Archer Aquatics Center at Wilson High School was electric for one of the most intense dual swim meets of the year between Wilson and Poly.

The Wilson boys have won 43 consecutive Moore League championships, and after the meet against their rivals on Friday night, they put themselves in a good position to claim their 44th. The Bruins defeated the Jackrabbits 96-74 to climb into the Moore League driver’s seat.

The words “Moore League champion” is synonymous with Wilson’s boys, but Wilson coach Eric Berg credits the success to the hard work from his entire team.

“These wins and championships don’t just appear,” he said. “It’s a team effort and the group of kids this year are training at very high level.”

The Bruins took the team win despite Poly placing first in every individual event. It took gutsy swims from seniors like Spencer Allen, who dropped the 100-meter freestyle to help his team out with the 100 backstroke, to grab the victory. Berg is proud of his swimmers and the pride they have in their school.

“My guys do whatever is necessary to help the team win,” he said. “That’s what these boys are all about this year.”

On the girls side of the meet, Poly knocked off the defending Moore League champions 101-69. In a rivalry that has been very close, Poly defeated Wilson with one of the bigger scoring gaps that has been seen recently. It was Poly’s depth that gave it the victory and the momentum heading into the rest of league and the championship meet.

“With the way the scoring works, we needed to be able to grab multiple points in each of our events,” said Poly coach Kalani Caldwell. “Our depth this year is what really pushed us to win this meet.”

Anja Oca lead the way for the Jackrabbits with two individual first-place finishes. She swam the 200 freestyle in 1:58.64 and also took the top spot in the 500 freestyle in 5:22.71.

The Jackrabbits defeated the Bruins in last year’s intense dual meet, but failed to grab the Moore League championship from the Bruins in the championship meet. Caldwell is confident that the momentum from this meet will help push her team over the top.

“We have to utilize our depth this year,” she said. “I’m confident in our team and we have to be able to score all of our swimmers.”

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Poly will be at home next Friday against Jordan while the Bruins will be on the road at Cabrillo. Both meets start at 3 p.m.