Carideo took second in the 200 free (2:04.23) and the 500 free (5:19.57). It was the 500 freestyle, and Talt and Carideo’s 1-2 finish, that gave the Tologs a 62-61 lead at that point. It was the last time they were ahead in the meet until the final race had ended.
Now, Sacred Heart (6-1, 3-1 in league) must defeat Sherman Oaks Notre Dame later this week and hope Harvard-Westlake (4-3, 3-1) can defeat league-unbeaten Alemany, which upset the Tologs earlier this season.
“I don’t think any of us stepped up that day,” Talt said. “I think everyone did their job today.”
Heading into the season, the loss of 2007 All-Area Girls’ Swimmer of the Year Andrea Kropp, who chose to concentrate on club swimming, no doubt added questions about the Tologs’ fortunes. Coupled with the Alemany defeat, it’s safe to say the doubt grew and, in the end, made Tuesday’s triumph an even sweeter one.
