Kiyomi Kikuchi
“To left to left, to right to left to left, One, Ready go!” yelled out Judith Terhar, assistant coach for Pierce College swimming team. The swimmers’ hands, raised in formation, line the pool.
Head coach Fred Shaw explained that their techniques are a different aspect of training, part of it which teaches people to stroke efficiently and strongly so they can go their fastest. They also focus on endurance training.
The Pierce swimming team this semester is very small, consisting of seven male swimmers, one male diver and a female swimmer. Because of this, the Photographerteam has to focus on their personal bests, according to Terhar.
“We aren’t looking to win meets. We are looking for them to improve their time every single meet,” Terhar said. “We have a great group of kids.”
“All coaches are great,” said Pierce swimmer Eryk Hakman. He mentioned that he improved a lot at Pierce compared to his high school time.
Remarkably, the coaches changed female swimmer Christina Courtney into a beautiful “beast.”
Courtney could win first places in all her events, including 200 meters, 500 meters and 1,000 meters, even though she had to swim a 200-meter heat just after a 1,000-meter heat in their last meets.
“She is amazing,” Hakman said. She usually beats male swimmers in the training, earning her the nickname “beast.”
“(The male swimmers) challenge me every single day,” Courtney said. “(I am) as fast as I am now because of them.”
The top 16 swimmers in every category from the Western Conference Championship taking place tomorrow to Saturday at Ventura College can go to the State Championship from May 1 to 3 at Saddleback College.
“We won’t know until April 27 who goes to the State Championship, but Courtney is highly possible to be one of the top 16 swimmers,” Shaw emphasized.
Bryan LaCelle uses a kickboard to strenghten his legs during training. ()
Bryan LaCelle practices the freestyle stroke. ()