Pirates claim runner-up at OEC Swim Championships
COSTA MESA -- It was a solid three days of competition for the Orange Coast College women's swim team as the Pirates battled all the way to a team runner-up finish at the 2026 Orange Empire Conference Swim/Dive Championships this past weekend, held at the OCC Aquatics Pavilion.
The Pirates finished with 628 overall points, topped only, by Riverside City College's 808 points. Golden West (570) finished third, followed by Saddleback (404), Cypress (386) and Fullerton (231).
Orange Coast had the most wins of any team as the Pirates won 14 different events despite finishing second place in the team standings.
Analiese Duncan and Leyna Nguyen were both three-time winners to lead the way. Duncan captured OEC titles in the 200 Individual Medley (2:08.83), 100 Breaststroke (1:05.61) and 200 Breaststroke (2:23.46). Nguyen was a winner in the 50 Freestyle (23.70), 100 Butterfly (58.29) and 100 Freestyle (53.03).
Emma Steffens won two events for the Pirates in capturing the 500 Freestyle (5:18.74) and 100 Backstroke (59.33).
Elisabeth Liskey won the final individual title for the Pirates with a win in the 200 Freestyle (2:03.63).
The Pirates won all five relay events over the weekend, including ...
- 200 Freestyle Medley (Analiese Duncan, Ariah Martinez, Caprie Troccoli, Elizabeth Liskey), 1:40.65
- 400 Medley Relay (Emma Steffens, Analiese Duncan, Ayla Puente, Leyna Nguyen), 4:04.34
- 200 Medley Relay (Emma Steffens, Analiese Duncan, Ayla Puente, Leyna Nguyen), 1:48.68
- 800 Freestyle Relay (Leyna Nguyen, Emma Steffens, Ariah Martinez, Elizabeth Liskey), 8:14.88
- 400 Freestyle Relay (Ariah Martinez, Emma Steffens, Analiese Duncan, Leyna Nguyen), 3:28.28
In addition to the plethora of gold medals won, the Pirates also earned a few silver and bronze medals throughout the weekend, including ...
SECOND PLACE
50 Freestyle -- Ariah Martinez, 25.48
200 Backstroke -- Emma Steffens, 2:11.13
100 Freestyle -- Ariah Martinez, 55.49
THIRD PLACE
200 Freestyle -- Ariah Martinez, 2:04.04
The Pirates will now gear up for the big one ... the 3C2A Swimming/Diving State Championships, which will take place April 30-May 2, right here at the OCC Aquatics Pavilion.
