Though Grossmont College’s swim season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, both the Griffins’ men’s and women’s teams showed quite a bit of promise.
The Pacific Coast Athletic Conference had scheduled three invitationals this spring, two of which were completed before the season was prematurely cancelled.
Crafton Hills hosted the first invitational on Feb. 28 while Southwestern College hosted the second event on March 6.
Palomar College was scheduled to host the third invitational on March 20.
The 2020 PCAC championship meet was scheduled April 16-18 at Southwestern College but subsequently cancelled.
Alpine resident and Granite Hills High School alumnus Austin Dickman helped steer Grossmont College’s men’s team off to a strong start as one of the team’s veteran returners.
The Griffins made a splash in their first trip to the pool this spring by placing fifth in the team standings at the Golden West Invitational on Feb. 21.
Dickman, a sophomore, started off the season opening event by finishing fourth in the 100 butterfly (56.92) before finishing third in the 100 backstroke (59.67) to close out the day.
The former Eagles standout was among a group of five talented returners and impact freshmen who scored points for Grossmont College in the regional-draw invitational.
The Griffins led the trio of PCAC teams competing in the event as Southwestern finished eighth and Palomar finished ninth in the team standings.
Grossmont College made a splash at last year’s PCAC championship meet by winning the men’s team title while the women’s team finished in third place.
Dickman earned PCAC men’s Co- Athlete of the Meet after winning five gold medals and scoring 60 points for the Griffins.
Grossmont men’s coach Anhton Tran said this year’s team had much potential.
At the Crafton Hills meet, Dickman turned in the standout performance by winning the 100 backstroke in 59.37 and the 200 backstroke in 2:11.18 while placing second in the 100 butterfly in 56.15.
Freshman Cason Power finished third in the 200 backstroke (2:20.21) to help provide highlights for former Granite Hills alumni on the team, which also included freshman Travis Ray.
Grossmont College won the men’s 200 medley relay (1:48.24) while finishing second in the 200 freestyle relay (1:32.76).
Granite Hills alum Kathryn Wells placed fourth in the 100 backstroke (1:16.83) at the Crafton Hills invitational to help score points for the Lady Griffins team.
The season was abruptly halted after another strong performance by Grossmont College at the second PCAC invitational.
In individual men’s events, Dickman won the 200 backstroke in 2:08.98 while placing second in the 100 butterfly (55.10).
Power finished third in the 200 backstroke (2:21.24).
The Griffins won the men’s 200 freestyle relay in 1:32.72 and finished second in the men’s 200 medley relay (1:48.07).
The Grossmont College women’s team also produced some showcase swims in what turned out to be the final PCAC event of the season.
The state championship meet was scheduled to take place over a three-day interval from April 30 to May 2 at East Los Angeles College.