CHULA VISTA — Torrey Pines High School senior Charlie Hall didn’t get any special tips from his father, a three-time Olympian, ahead of the CIF San Diego Section Division 1 swimming prelims.

“Not really,” Hall said. “He just likes to support me.”

Gary Hall Jr. was on hand to see his son lead qualifying in both of his two events at Southwestern College on Wednesday. The 6-foot-7 standout ranked first in the 50-yard freestyle (20.72 seconds) and the 100 free (46.36) to set the stage for the finals at 9 a.m. Saturday at the same site.

“I’m happy with my performances, but I know I can do better on Saturday,” Hall said. “So I’m excited for that.”

This is the first and last local section meet for Hall, who transferred this year to Torrey Pines, where he’s surrounded by talent on the 10-time defending champion. In the 100 free, the top four entries are all Falcons, including reigning champion Aidan Copeland, who qualified third (46.91).

“It’s fun racing my teammates,” Hall said. “It’s going to be a good race.”

On the girls’ side, Torrey Pines senior Aya Ferguson resumed her bid for the 100 freestyle record by getting the top time (50.67) while bouncing back from a sinus issue last week. A year ago, Ferguson came within 14/100ths of a second of the mark of 49.69 seconds set in 2012 by Westview’s Valerie Hull.

“I’m still hoping for that record. It’ll be nice,” said Ferguson, who plans to get a massage and address muscle flexibility in tuning up for the finals.

Ferguson also paced qualifying in the 200 free (1:49.82) in going for three-peat titles in both of her races.

Another record bid is in store in the boys’ 100 backstroke, where Canyon Crest senior Darmen Yessengeldy, the defending champion, qualified first (49.24). Last season, he came within just 8/100ths of a second off the record (48.36) set by Torrey Pines’ Logan Noguchi in 2022.

“I’m hoping to go 47.9 and break the record,” Yessengeldy said.  “I have a new technique this year to go faster.”

Westview junior Derek Ho geared up for repeat twin wins by leading the 200 IM (1:53.60) and going third in the 100 breaststroke (58.37).

Also seeking double crowns is Granite Hills senior Austin Felio, who led the way in the 200 freestyle (1:40.59) and the 500 freestyle (4:33.22). His best showing year was second in the 500 free.

Del Norte freshman Miles Courter celebrated his meet debut by qualifying first in the 100 breaststroke (57.91). Granite Hills sophomore Ella Morgan qualified first in the girls’ 500 freestyle (4:47.34) in her bid for an encore title. She also finished second in the 200 freestyle (1:50.74) behind Ferguson.

San Marcos senior Madison McCormick led qualifying in the girls 200 individual medley (2:03.64) and ranked second in the 100 butterfly (55:29) after being a runner-up in both last year.