This season, the swim team is adjusting to some coaching changes, but is still keeping a positive attitude. They have high expectations as they enter into league competition.
So far, the biggest challenge for the team has been adapting to a different coach. The team has had to acclimate to Coach Oscar Dorado, who replaced Ms. Linda Simons, and the way he runs meets and practices, This has created many obstacles and road bumps for them.
Due to the sudden change, the season has been more disorganized than usual. Swimmers feel that there are not enough away meets to make records that qualify for C.I.F., since our home pool does not meet C.I.F. regulations. The disorder and Dorado’s less intense practices compared to Simons’s has discouraged some swimmers.
“I think our new coach is trying his best to adapt,” Sophomore Ingrid Heumann said. “I feel like a lot of us are taking advantage of the less rigorous practices and that impacts our speed. I know for us it seems like he’s not as organized as Ms. Simons, but this is Coach Oscar’s first year. We probably won’t do as well as we did last year, but that’s to be expected.”
Despite the change in coaches, the swim team is still able make a major impact at meets. During their meet against La Cañada on March 26, the Varsity Girls came close to winning but lost by two points, while the Varsity Boys came second in the 200 medley relay. Overall, the team won in events like the 200 medley relay, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke.
In their meet against Blair on April 9, the Rams won in every event for all divisions because Blair had a smaller team, and the Rams had strong swimmers in every event.
“I think that the team has a lot of versatility in terms of different swim strokes,” Senior Ryan Pallett said. “There are a lot of people who are willing and happy to swim the events that nobody else wants to.”
Dorado’s practices include sets, which incorporate sprints or endurance work. Since there was no off season due to the change in coaches, some swimmers opted to take P.E. or join another sport to stay in shape.
“We started off easier, but practices have been getting harder,” Co-Captain Senior Pauline Nguyen said. “We are building our endurance for the sport. As a team we are starting to get used to each other and I think we’ll do better in the upcoming meets.”
Even though they must adapt to the changes, swimmers still look forward to forming bonds, spending time with their teammates and cheering during meets, which allows them to maintain a positive outlook.
“I think all things considered, our season has gone pretty well, at least for the JV girls, who have won each meet so far,” Junior Makayla Completo said. “I feel that I am reaching all of my goals as an individual and making many new friends. I really enjoy the camaraderie I have with the team as a whole.”