Senior AquaSol swimmers compete at Speedo Sectional Championships

Darin Mai

AquaSol senior swimmers competed at the Speedo Sectional Championships in Novato, California at the College of Marin.  The event ran July 17th – 20th, 2025.  The meet was competed in long course meters and was a trials and finals format.  The Western Zone Sectional Championships qualifying times were used for the athletes to participate in the competition.

This Sectional meet AquaSol had five swimmers representing the team:  Natalie Szegedy, Gabe Hudgens, Cruz Lopez, Lars Osen and Oliver Zhang.  The team competed in both individual and relay events.

Overall the men placed 13th out of 35 teams.  The men put together best times in the 200 medley relay (9th overall), the 200 free relay (16th overall) and the 400 free relay.  Individually, the athlete’s swam great swims showing a lot of grit and determination through the four days of competition.

Sectional Champion

Cruz Lopez – 200 meter Breaststroke

U.S. Open qualifying time

New Team Records

Cruz Lopez – 100 & 200 meter breaststroke

Lars Osen – 100 meter butterfly & 200 Individual medley

 

Other highlights of the meet were Natalie Szegedy competing in her first sectionals in an individual event and several time trials.  Natalie dropped over two seconds in the 100 meter freestyle and swam :28 seconds multiple times in the 50 meter freestyle.  Cruz Lopez also dropped over three seconds in the 200 IM placing 17th.  Lars Osen broke 2:10 in the 200 meter butterfly (2:09.80) placing 11th and broke two minutes in the 200 freestyle (1:58.74).  Gabe Hudgens led off the relays and went three best times in the 50 freestyle finishing the meet with an 11th place finish overall (:24.43).  Oliver Zhang wrapped up his swimming career with performances in the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 100 butterfly.  He also anchored the relays charging to the end and helping the team finish with best times in all of the relays.

The team did a great job over the four days racing hard and cheering each other on during the prelims and finals swims.  Great job AquaSol!