Boys swimming: Terra Linda breaks through for MCAL title

Nicholas Arinduque broke the 100-yard breaststroke meet record two days in a row to propel the Terra Linda High boys swim team to its first MCAL championship since 2013 on Saturday.

Nicholas Arinduque broke the 100-yard breaststroke meet record two days in a row to propel the Terra Linda High boys swim team to its first MCAL championship since 2013 on Saturday.

Last year when the MCAL finals christened the $38 million recreation complex on the College of Marin Indian Valley campus in Novato, Arinduque passed out during qualifying, ultimately preventing him from swimming his specialty on Day Two.

The junior was finally able to exert his dominance on Friday when he was timed at 57.56 seconds to break the record of 57.59 set by Christoph Horky of Archie Williams in 2019. In the finals on Saturday, Arinduque improved his winning time to 56.42.

“I wasn’t really thinking about getting the record (on Friday) — it was more about getting a feel for the water,” said Arinduque. “There was so much cheering in the prelims, which was a surprise, and I think that helped carry me through to get the record.”

The Trojans have lots to cheer about. Not only has it been 11 years since the boys swim team claimed the league pennant, but the win marks Terra Linda’s first MCAL championship this year in any sport. Its last league title was in boys soccer in 2022-23.

“We’ve had a lot of teams along the way that have been really close,” said Terra Linda coach Tim Baker. “But this year we had the depth to withstand Tam’s amazing effort. I’m so proud of the boys for swimming so well and coming together at the right time.”

Terra Linda finished with 492 points, followed by defending champ Tam with 399. Other team scores were Archie (243), Redwood (219), Novato (186), San Marin (149), Branson (115), San Rafael (91) and Marin Catholic (89).

Arinduque also won the 200 individual medley in 1:57.51 and was part of two winning relays. He was not alone in the winners’ circle as teammates Ben Butler and Cam Heller were also double winners.

Heller, a sophomore, won the 200 freestyle in 1:44.58 and 500 free in 4:44.58. Butler, a junior, took the 100 free in 45.20 and the 100 back in 51.34.

“We’re building up,” said Arinduque. “I’m excited.”

The Trojans were so impressive that they won all but two events, including all three relays. One of the huge differences for the Trojans this year was having Arinduque at full strength.

“The kids really missed out on his leadership in and out of the water last year,” Baker said. “But we really came together. It’s huge having him a full strength. He was a four-time winner for us today. He’s our anchor.”

Dean Gustavson of Tam won the 50 free in 21.25. Branson’s Cameron Aryanpour was first in the 100 butterfly with a 50.29.