FREMONT The big trophy may read "runners-up," but, in the pool, the reign continues for the Ventura College men's swimming team.

For the third straight season, the Pirates scored the most points in swimming at the California Community College swimming and diving championships. But, for the second straight season, the diving board flattened their state title chances.

On the third and final day of the state meet at Ohlone College, the Pirates earned a third individual state title and set a school record in winning the 400-yard freestyle relay, but could not overcome Orange Coast College's more than 90-point head start in the diving events.

The 2006 state champion edged the 2005 state champion in the final tally, 601-530.

"I don't know why diving got mixed in with swimming," lamented freshman Chris Spriggs. "Just because it has something to do with water, I guess.

"Some divers don't even know how to swim freestyle."

The final tally for the Ventura men over the weekend included five state titles, five school records, the most team points in the swimming events for the third straight year and the men's Performance of the Meet by sophomore Kneif Lohse who shaved more than 20 seconds off his previous time to win the 400 intermediate medley Friday.

"It was really a good meet," said Ventura coach Larry Baratte, who took a ride on his swimmers' shoulders rather than the traditional celebratory dip in the pool.

"They really did a good job, and with eight returners, the future should be bright."

Rafael Aponte, a freshman from Venezuela, won his second individual title in two days, finishing the 100-yard freestyle in 45.87 to share the state title with Brian Sullivan of Golden West.

"First, I saw the No. 1 in my lane, then I saw it in Lane 3," said a perplexed Aponte. "I'm still happy because it's still a state championship. But this is the first time something like this has happened to me."

The top four finishers in the event finished 15 hundredths of a second apart.

Ventura's Eric Anderssen and Bob Howe were fourth (46.02) and fifth (46.33), respectively.

The 400 freestyle relay team of Howe, Aponte, Anderssen and Spriggs cruised to victory a school-record time of 3:02.40, the third best mark in state history.

Lohse backed up Friday's swim with third place (16:01) in the 1,650 freestyle.

Spriggs and freshman Aaron Aguilera finished fifth (1:53.55) and 12th, respectively, in the 200 butterfly.

The Ventura women's team finished fifth with 254 points, 189 behind state champion Diablo Valley.

Freshman Michelle Kroll swam her best time of the season to take third place in the 100 breast stroke in 1:01.83.

"It's not my best time ever, but I'm happy with it after taking last year off," said Kroll.

The workhorse of the women's team, Kroll was also 11th (1:02.47) in the 100 butterfly.

"I feel like I'm swimming six events today," Kroll said.

Ventura freshmen Brittney Langdale and Krystle Stallings finished eighth (18:50.62) and 15th (19:45.49), respectively, in the 1650 freestyle.

Katherine Fung and April Devine were 11th (55.34) and 13th (55.65), respectively, in the 100 freestyle. Alyssa Wilson finished 11th (1:11.28) in the 100 breast stroke.