Menyhart Finished 4th in 200 IM to Pace Rustlers Day 1

Mission Viejo, Calif. - The Golden West College women's swim team kicked off the 2025 Orange Empire Conference Championships with a strong showing at Saddleback College, securing multiple finals appearances and standout performances across the opening day's events. The Rustlers finished well in the 500 Free, 200 IM, and 50 Free, racking up valuable points and setting the tone for the rest of the meet.

Event Highlights

500 Yard Freestyle

Golden West placed two swimmers in the B Final of the 500 Free:

• Catherine Le swam a 6:20.51 to finish 13th overall, adding 4 points.

• Sophie Kresge followed closely, placing 15th overall with a time of 6:39.15, earning 2 points.

Both swimmers dropped time from their prelims and helped Golden West secure early momentum.

200 Yard Individual Medley (IM)

Golden West had a strong presence in both the A and B Finals:

• Hanna Menyhart led the team with a fantastic performance in the A Final, finishing 4th overall in 2:26.80, good for 15 points.

• In the B Final, Zoe Esquivel placed 9th overall with a time of 2:35.09 (9 points), while Nathalia Johnston (12th, 2:46.62) and Monet Panter (13th, 2:48.15) added 5 and 4 points, respectively.

Together, the 200 IM crew contributed a total of 33 points—a major boost to the Rustlers' team score.

50 Yard Freestyle

In the fastest race of the day, Sophie Kresge punched into the B Final, finishing 13th overall with a time of 29.32, earning 4 points. She improved from her prelims (28.74) and held her own in a tight field dominated by sprinters from Orange Coast and Riverside.

Day 1 Highlights

• Hanna Menyhart – 15 pts (4th in 200 IM)

• Zoe Esquivel – 9 pts (9th in 200 IM)

• Nathalia Johnston – 5 pts (12th in 200 IM)

• Monet Panter – 4 pts (13th in 200 IM)

• Catherine Le – 4 pts (13th in 500 Free)

• Sophie Kresge – 6 pts (13th in 50 Free, 15th in 500 Free)

Total Day 1 Points: 43

The Rustlers return to the pool for Day 2 on Friday, aiming to keep the momentum going.