ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The Liberty Ranch swim program capped its season with a strong showing at the SVC Swim Championships, with athletes competing fiercely across both the pool and the record books. Senior Mason Bussman headlined the day with two record-breaking performances, while a deep and determined women’s squad collected multiple top-five finishes to give the Hawks one of their most complete championship meet performances in recent memory.

Bussman was the undisputed star of the meet, rewriting the Liberty Ranch record book not once but twice in a single afternoon. The Hawks’ top male swimmer shattered the school record in the 100-meter freestyle with a blazing 48.02, touching the wall in first place. He then returned to the pool for the 100-meter backstroke and did it again, setting another Liberty Ranch record with a first-place finish at 54.14.

Two events, two school records, two gold medals. It was a performance that earned Bussman the right to keep swimming, as he will represent Liberty Ranch at the Sac-Joaquin Section Championships to compete in both the 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke.

“Mason had an absolutely phenomenal day,” said one of his coaches. “Setting two school records at the championship meet: That’s the kind of performance you remember for the rest of your life. We’re incredibly proud of him and excited to see what he can do at sections.”

Leading the women’s charge was junior Arianna Kotko, who delivered a standout performance of her own. Kotko placed fourth in the 100 freestyle at 1:01.68 and followed it up with a second-place finish in the 100 backstroke at 1:12.66: her best event of the day and a mark that placed her among the top backstroke swimmers in the entire conference. Kotko also anchored the women’s 400 freestyle relay and swam a leg on the opening 200 medley relay, proving herself one of the most versatile and valuable swimmers on the roster.

Ainsley Robbins added back-to-back top-five finishes with a fifth place in the 100 freestyle at 1:03.02 and a fifth place in the 100 butterfly at 1:20.49 for Isabella Westlynn – who also placed fifth in the 100 fly at 1:20.49 – while Robbins earned ninth in the 100 breaststroke at 1:27.13. Westlynn and Robbins were both key contributors on multiple relay legs throughout the meet.

Haley Andrews was a workhorse for the Hawks women, competing in three individual events and two relays. She placed ninth in the 50 freestyle at 29.94, sixth in the 500 freestyle at 6:52.27 and contributed to both medley relay squads. Haley Smith placed sixth in the 200 freestyle at 2:29.31 and seventh in the 500 freestyle at 6:52.70 – a razor-thin margin behind Andrews – while also swimming on the 200 free relay team.

The Liberty Ranch women’s relay units were among the most consistent performers of the afternoon. The 200 medley relay team of Arianna Kotko, Isabella Westlynn, Ainsley Robbins and Haley Andrews placed fourth at 2:16.66. A second 200 medley relay lineup of Westlynn, Nathalie Ochoa, Haley Smith and Andrews also placed fourth at 2:03.93: a faster time that reflects the depth the Hawks carry across their roster. The women’s 400 freestyle relay team of Smith, Ochoa, Robbins and Kotko rounded out the relay efforts with a fourth-place finish at 4:29.40.

Nathalie Ochoa competed in three events on the day, placing 10th in the 200 individual medley at 3:05.03 and 12th in the 100 breaststroke at 1:31.44, while contributing to two relay teams. Madilyn Brixey placed 11th in the 200 freestyle at 2:49.01 and ninth in the 500 freestyle at 7:30.80. Kelly Faul placed 10th in the 100 butterfly at 1:27.63 and 12th in the 100 backstroke at 1:36.25. Samantha Thomas competed in the 50 freestyle, placing 16th at 36.93. On the men’s side, Matthew Hernandez Lara placed 14th in the 200 freestyle at 3:01.82.

For Liberty Ranch, the SVC Championships served as both a celebration of the season’s growth and a launching pad for what comes next. Bussman carries the program’s flag into Sac-Joaquin Section competition, where he will look to add to what is already one of the finest individual performances in Liberty Ranch swimming history. With a talented core of women returning and a record-setter in the water, the future of Hawks swimming looks brighter than ever.