Over the weekend, the swimming team competed in the Western Conference Championships in Bakersfield and is set to send three swimmers and three divers to the State Championships at East Los Angeles College later this week.
Everyone on the team completed a new personal best time, said Fred Shaw, Head Men’s Coach.
Shaw attributes their success to team work extremely hard during practice to get in the shape they’re in now.
“It’s unbelievable,” Judi Terhar, head women’s swim coach said. “These are probably the best kids we’ve had.”
Lara Hagopian won all three evens she competed in, and she brought home the award for Female Athlete of the Year for 2012.
Samantha Elam, who was Western Conference Athlete of the Year in 2011, won the 500 freestyle, the 1650 and finished second in the 200 freestyle.
Elam is also training for the 2013 Deaf Olympic Games, said Terhar.
Blair Kreotz is the third swimmer who qualified for state. He finished second at the conference in the 200 backstroke with 1:56.68.
Daniel Williamson finished second for diving in the 1 meter and 3 meter boards.
Michael Brown finished fourth in the 1 meter and second in the 3 meter. James Brown placed second in the 1 meter and third in the 3 meter.
Chris Strazella, freshman, who competed in the 200 IM, 400 IM and 200 breast stroke, also expressed how impressed he was with his teammate’s performance.
When mentioning the departure of some team members next year he said, “It’ll be some shoes to fill next season.”
The swim team will compete at the California State Championship at East Los Angeles College April 26 to 28.
