Clovis North freshman Claire Tuggle sets two Central Section swim records

It was a record day for a couple of Clovis North High swimmers Saturday at the Central Section swimming championships including freshman Claire Tuggle, who is not new to setting records.

Tuggle outlasted Clovis West senior Abby Samansky in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1 minute 46.19 seconds, a section record.

She wasn’t done, later beating out Clovis senior Averee Preble in the 500 free in a record 4:50.27.

The top two finishers in each event qualified for the CIF state meet next weekend in the same Clovis West Aquatics Center pool.

Tuggle said she’s looking forward to her first state meet because it’s in “my hometown and everyone can come and watch.”

The big stage probably won’t rattle her. In 2017, Tuggle broke a 40-year-old record in the 500 free for 11-12-year-old girls at the National Club Swimming Association Junior National Championships, touching the wall in 4:49.32.

Tuggle’s heroics weren’t enough to lift Clovis North past section girls team juggernaut Clovis West for the title – but it was close as ever. Clovis West outpointed Clovis North 328-327 to win its 23rd straight girls team title.

Clovis North senior Ben Forbes also set a section record, winning the 200 free in 1:36.43. He broke former Clovis West star Matt Elkington’s three-year-old record of 1:36.91.

Forbes said breaking Elkington’s record had “always been in the back of my head. I have it now.”

Forbes’ win helped Clovis North to its third straight boys team title, outpointing runner-up Buchanan 369-312. Clovis West, which had won 17 of 18 section titles before the current Clovis North run, was third with 304.

The competitive meet saw 11 schools represented among 24 champions. Tuggle and Forbes each swam on two winning relay teams. And Samansky capped a stellar career by defending her 100 free title plus swam on a winning relay.