On the verge of setting a new school record in the 200-yard medley relay, one member of the Cerritos College team was struck with a severe case of a stomach virus, which forced the withdrawal of the team. The Falcons, who qualified four relay teams into the CCCAA State Championships, competed in two of the events on the first day, but had to withdraw from one event on Friday and likely another on Saturday. After two days of the championships, Cerritos is in 20th place with 27 team points.

Sophomore Marlon Moreno (Virgen del Rosario, Venezuela), felt ill on Thursday night, but did his best to fight through it and competed in the prelims of the 200-yard medley relay. He, along with Jason Ly (Villa Park HS), Joshua Owens (Kennedy HS) and Angel Rojas (Luis Fray Amigo, Venezuela) posted a 12th place time of 1:38.0. But as the day progressed, Moreno's illness got worse and he was unable to compete, forcing the relay team to withdraw. Even with his illness, the foursome posted a time of 1:38.00 and would surely have broken the 17-year old record of 1:37.28 in the consolation race.

Also forced to withdraw from the 100-yard breaststroke, Moreno is unlikely to return for the final day of the championships. As a result, the 400-yard freestyle relay team and his appearance in the 100-yard freestyle are in jeopardy.

Ly, who qualified for the state championships in the 100-yard backstroke, earned a 10th place finish. He swam a 53.61 in the prelims, which was the 10th fastest time and followed that with a time of 53.71 in the consolation race.

Photos by Daryl Peterson