Cleveland sweeps City swim championships SWIMMING: Boys triumph despite no individual winners girls end Palisades' three-year reign.

Byline: Erik Boal, Special to the Daily News

It was the continuation of one dynasty and possibly the beginning of another. It was the fulfillment of a career-long dream for Kristina Choi and the opportunity for fellow seniors Alika Bautista and Dominic Kantrude to enjoy one last moment in the spotlight.

And it all added up to the greatest day in the storied history of the Cleveland of Reseda swimming and diving program Wednesday at the John C. Argue Swim Stadium.

The Cavaliers didn't win a single boys' event, but the combination of all three relays placing in the top four and three swimmers finishing in the top six in the 100-yard breaststroke was enough to capture a fourth consecutive title, scoring 179points, ahead of San Pedro (165) and Birmingham of Lake Balboa (152).

Led by Valerie Orellana's victories in the 100 backstroke (58.40) and 100 butterfly (57.74), Jessica Chong's triumph in the 100 breaststroke (1:12.10) and a come-from- behind win in the 200 medley relay (1:54.80), Cleveland ended Palisades of Pacific Palisades' three-year reign as girls' champion, recording 2951/2 points, ahead of the Dolphins'2521/2.

"I wanted to give it to them. I wanted them to experience the happiness of both teams being champs in the same year," said Cleveland coach Teresa Frias, who has guided the Cavaliers to seven City championships - four boys, three girls - in the past six seasons.

"I knew this was our strongest girls' team in four years, but with the eligibility of our boys and the size of the team and how young they were, I didn't know if they could do it. But when they stepped up at prelims, it was anybody's show to win."

Bautista's second-place finish in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.27), along with Valentino Vilches (third, 1:05.36) and Kantrude (sixth, 1:06.65) helped Cleveland rally from a nine-point deficit to take a 20-point lead entering the 400 free relay, where the Cavaliers finished second (3:31.67).

"It shows it's not the individuals that make the team, it's about the team itself," Bautista said. "To be honest, I didn't think I'd be able to get four (City) titles, especially this year because it was really challenging. But all the hard work, discipline and motivation have paid off."

The Cleveland girls took the lead for good following fourth- and fifth-place efforts from Tricia Lu (56.67) and Choi (56.77) in the 100 freestyle. The Cavaliers continued to stretch the advantage with three swimmers scoring in the 500 free, Orellana's win and Tessa Chiu's third-place effort (1:03.69) in the backstroke and Chong's victory, combined with Harmony Loi (fourth, 1:14.73) and Sarah Ho (fifth, 1:15.30) in the breaststroke.

Even a fourth victory by Venice star Andi Murez - the Stanford signee set City records in the 100 free (49.63) and 200 free (1:46.82), along with anchoring the 200 free relay (1:44.20) - wasn't enough to spoil Cleveland's celebration after finishing second to the Gondliers 3:41.75 to 3:43.10.

Kennedy of Granada Hills' Gary Arthur captured the 100 butterfly (51.59) and 200 free (1:42.32). Another senior, SOCES of Reseda's Phillip Chu, doubled in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.78) and 200 individual medley (2:03.73).

Granada Hills received second-place finishes in the girls' 200 (1:59.80) and 500 frees (5:21.27) from Samantha Elam and the boys' 500 from Grant Richman (4:55.33). Birmingham's Darin Weltsch was second in the 100 backstroke (58.49) and third in the 200 IM (2:05.53). Taft's Chelsea Lim was second in the girls' 50 and 100 frees in 24.97 and 54.67, and teammate Nico Kryspin was runner-up in the boys' 50 and 100 frees in 22.80 and 50.02. Granada Hills' Bianca Valencia took second in the 100 butterfly (58.81) and third in the 200 IM (2:17.0).

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