Barons Climb Off the Mat, Beat Edison

The Fountain Valley boys’ swim team was 10 points in the hole before its Sunset League meet against fourth-ranked Edison even started Friday, and quickly fell behind by 20 after two events.

But when it was over, the third-ranked Barons had dug themselves out and buried the Chargers, 104-82, at Fountain Valley High.

Evan Mitchell gave Edison (7-1, 3-1) a 10-point advantage when he won the diving competition earlier in the week, and the Chargers extended that lead to 20 points with victories in the first two events.

However, Fountain Valley won eight of the next nine events, qualifying four swimmers for the Southern Section finals in the process, and handed Edison its first loss of the season.

The momentum swung the Barons’ way when they took first and third in the 100-yard butterfly. T.K. Erwin won in 54.87 seconds, pulling ahead of Edison’s Jake Steelman (55.57) in the final 25 yards.

“I wrecked him on the last turn,” said Erwin, who is recovering from a severe ankle sprain he suffered two weeks ago. “I knew we needed the points, so I went out to win.”

Freshman Rory Kelly’s victory in the 500 freestyle gave the Barons their first lead. Kelly swam a personal best and qualified for the section finals with a time of 5:02.04. Erwin was second, almost five seconds behind.

Brandon Dotts extended the lead to 12 points with a victory in the 100 backstroke (55.46), coupled with Kevin O’Toole’s third-place finish (59.19). Dotts also won the 200 individual medley (1:58.83) and anchored the winning 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

The Barons put it away with a one-two finish in the 100 breaststroke. Danny Asahi (1:05.70) and Matt Henry (1:05.91) both qualified for the section finals while giving the Barons an unbeatable 94-78 lead going into the final event.