Despite having lost a coach, swim team won their first meet against HHS on March 10

To see captions, click on individual photo.

On March 10, the boys and girls varsity swim team defeated Homestead 52-12 and 97.5-87.5 in their first league meet of the season. Having lost a coach, Ronald Freeman, last month the varsity swim teams initiated the meet with a moment of silence in his honor—followed by a successful first win of the season.

The varsity boys:
Former junior varsity boys water polo coach, Carl Canning took over the boys varsity team. Coming off of a league championship from last year, Canning had high expectations for this year.

“I can tell you for a fact that the main swimmers on varsity have all been working a lot harder than they have been last year,” Canning said. “We all feel very confident going into the season.”

Starting off the meet with a win in the 200 meter Medley relay, the Matadors continued to place first and second throughout the meet.

Freshman Colin Hong and senior Sean Hughes finished first and second in the 50 meter Freestyle event. In the 100 meter Freestyle event, Hughes took first place, followed by Hong’s first place win in the 200 meter Freestyle and senior Alex Bagdasarian’s first place win in the 100 meter Butterfly event.

Head coach Don Vierra emphasized the importance of teamwork at the first practice this season, and much like the Matador boys’ team the Lady Mats proved to be equally successful.

The varsity girls:
Also winning the 200 meter Medley relay, the Lady Mats were hopeful going into their first league meet after coming off from a disappointing season last year.

Freshman Carly Reid finished first in the 100 meter Fly, with a close second in the 50 freestyle while teammate and freshman Jacqueline Do finished second in the 100 meter Freestyle. Other key swimmers include freshman Kirsten Vrionis and sophomores Elizabeth Zhang, Erica Ferng, and Michelle Chan.

As a returning varsity member, Chan finished first in the 200 meter Individual medley as well as in the 100 meter Breaststroke. 

“For the rest of the season, I hope to get back to where I was last year,” Chan said. “If
I get to my best times, then I’ll be happy.”

With a small number of graduated seniors and strong incoming freshman the Lady Mats are looking forward to a season better than the last. 

Don Vierra announced at the meet that this year’s swim season is dedicated in Ron Freeman’s honor.

Swim team’s next meet is at home on March 18 at 3 p.m.

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