Pasadena City College’s Samuel Jo (middle) begins his state title swim in the 100-yard backstroke Friday, photo by Richard Quinton. Samuel Jo has made it a habit this season to break his own Pasadena City College men’s swim record in the 100-yard backstroke. So when he swam a new record 50.20 seconds Friday, it had […]
Pasadena City College’s Samuel Jo (middle) begins his state title swim in the 100-yard backstroke Friday, photo by Richard Quinton.
Samuel Jo has made it a habit this season to break his own Pasadena City College men’s swim record in the 100-yard backstroke. So when he swam a new record 50.20 seconds Friday, it had an extra reward attached–a state title. Jo’s new PCC record was a gold medal at the CCCAA State Swimming and Diving Championships on day 2 of the state meet at East Los Angeles College.
Jo became the seventh state individual champion under head coach Terry Stoddard and the first men’s swimmer to win a state title in five years. Jo did this one day after Melissa Cienega won a state title in the women’s 500 freestyle. That’s the first time under Coach Stoddard that a male and female Lancer won state events at the same state meet.
Jo had three swimmers on his tail after the first 50, but his explosive 25.55 final 50 was the knockout blow in winning the state title wire to wire.
PCC men’s team is in ninth place overall at the state meet going into Saturday’s final day. Jo is attempting to win a double as he is competing in the 200 backstroke.
