HIGH WATER MARK

VENTURA —  For all his accomplishments this season, Patrick Nygren couldn’t help feeling a bit like an also-swam Thursday in the opening round of the state junior college swimming championships at Ventura College.

After all, there wasn’t much even Nygren, one of the state’s best swimmers, could do against this kind of competition.

So, the Ventura sophomore breathed heavily with deep satisfaction after placing third in the men’s 200 individual medley on the first day of the three-day meet.

“I was seeded third and I swam as well as I could,” Nygren said. “That’s all I can ask for. Besides, this isn’t my best event.”

Nygren, Western State Conference swimmer of the year, might reach his high-water mark today in the 400 individual medley, the event the former Westlake High standout considers his best.

An All-American last year, Nygren set WSC records of 1:55.55 in the 200 individual medley and 1:53.57 in the 200 butterfly this season, and established a school record of 51.19 in the 100 butterfly.

But Nygren and the field were far behind a record-setting Golden West team that led the men’s and women’s standings after the first round.

Nygren, who qualified second for the 200 individual medley with a preliminary time of 1:55.62, finished a distant third at 1:57.35 in the championship heat.

Golden West’s Felix Sutanto easily won a second consecutive state title in 1:48.85, ahead of teammate Audy Okatvian, who clocked 1:52.53.

Sutanto’s mark broke the six-year old state record of 1:50.69 by Matthias Otte of Orange Coast.

But that was only a preview for Golden West.

While Nygren swam the butterfly leg of the 400 medley relay and Ventura finished seventh, Sutanto led Golden West to a title with a national record time of 3:21.46.

“They’re really good swimmers,” Nygren said. “They’re tough to beat every year in this. The guy was state champion last season.”

Nygren, who might swim next season at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, figures to showcase his versatility before the meet concludes Saturday.

He is entered in the 200 butterfly Saturday and is a member of three relay teams.

“He has a lot of endurance,” said Larry Baratte, Ventura’s swim coach. “His effort this season has been outstanding. We’ll see over the next two days what he’ll accomplish. He has a bright future.”

Ventura did not place first in any individual or team event Thursday. But several swimmers stood out.

Marissa Roarty, a sophomore from Buena High, finished second in the women’s 500 freestyle in 5:09.59.

Roarty, who transferred from UC Santa Barbara, was WSC champion in the 200 individual medley but finished more than three seconds behind Erika Aklufi of Riverside.

Loriann Turner of Ventura finished second in the 100 individual medley in 1:01.20.

“I’m happy with how I’ve done,” Roarty said. “I gave up swimming for a year, so I didn’t know what to expect this year.”

Roarty swam the third leg and Ventura finished second in the 400 medley relay.

Roarty, Turner, Kathy Macropol and Stacy Montz finished in 4:03.22 behind Riverside at 4:02.22.

Tomer Cagan of Ventura, a sophomore from Camarillo High, placed third in the men’s 500 freestyle with a time of 4:40.81.

Mike Scarcelli of Valley placed third in the 50 freestyle with a time of 21:14.