Trojan Swimmers Crowned HAAL Champions
The CVHS swim teams won in a landslide victory at the HAAL Championships at Chabot College on Saturday, May 14.
In all individual divisions—JV girls and boys, and varsity girls and boys—CVHS won, beating each second place divisions by over one hundred points each. The CVHS swim team won 35 of the 44 events.
This year marked the fourth HAAL win for the varsity girls, who scored 618 points to Bishop O’Dowd’s 447, and won six of the 11 events. Senior Maja Harren won all four events that she competed in, two relays and two individual events.
“Unlike in any other sport, we’re all like a family; we do everything together,” said senior Kerianne Brownlie. “Even though it’s not exactly a team sport because we swim individually, it’s more of a team sport than any other.”
For the sixth consecutive year, the varsity boys beat O’Dowd with a score of 596-452. CVHS swimmers placed first in eight of the 11 varsity boys events. Frank Horpel and Patrick Brown each won four events.
“It’s fun to be on the team because we have so many good swimmers and it’s really inspirational,” said junior Arad Margalit.
The JV girls team won the HAAL league meet for the third year in a row with a score of 577. Bishop O’ Dowd came in second place with 401 points. Out of the 11 junior varsity girls events, CVHS won 10. Grace Moon was on two winning relays and took first in both of her individual events.
“I think our team has done exceptionally well this season, and we’ve become really close, almost like family. I can’t wait for next year!” said junior Kaela Domin.
“Practices are really hard, but they get us in shape,” sophomore Erika Holland added. “The meets are fun and really rewarding when you get a personal best.”
For 11 years and counting, the junior varsity boys team smashed the competition earning 636 points while San Leandro trailed behind in second with 380. The boys won all 11 JV events. Victor Deng won both of his individual events and participated in two winning relays.
“This was my first year on the team, and it has been one of the best experiences of my life,” said junior Seamus Guerin. “Some days may be difficult, but the payoff is tremendous. It’s great to be a part of a team where everyone is so close. The only sad part is that I only have one more year!”
JV Girls Event Winners
200 Yard Medley Relay 2:12.28
Arianna Love, Julie Wultanski, LeeAnn Shaffer, Emme Coupe
200 Yard Freestyle Arianna Love 2:22.91
100 Yard Individual Medley Emme Coupe 1:14.31
50 Yard Freestyle Grace Moon 28.16
50 Yard Butterfly Rae Love 32.26
100 Yard Freestyle Grace Moon 1:05.20
500 Yard Freestyle Erika Holland 6:37.24
200 Yard Freestyle Relay 1:57.87
Grace Moon, Siobhan Powell, Emme Coupe, Alison Kentris
100 Yard Backstroke Arianna Love 1:13.57
400 Yard Freestyle Relay 4:24.59
Grace Moon, Rae Love, Siobhan Powell, Alison Kentris
JV Boys Event Winners
200 Yard Medley Relay 1:58.09
Joey Tognolini, Jasper Gong, David Gistand, Callahan Shea
200 Yard Freestyle Victor Deng 1:58.79
100 Yard Individual Medley David Gistand 1:05.51
50 Yard Freestyle Thomas Heinsma 24.05
50 Yard Butterfly Callahan Shea 27.93
100 Yard Freestyle Victor Deng 52.27
500 Yard Freestyle Joey Tognolini 5:29.74
200 Yard Freestyle Relay 1:36.96
David Gresham, Callahan Shea, Thomas Heinsma, Victor Deng
100 Yard Backstroke Joey Tognolini 1:05.86
100 Yard Breaststroke Alex Billings 1:14.37
400 Yard Freestyle Relay 3:35.76
Victor Deng, David Gistand, Thomas Heinsma, David Gresham
Varsity Girls Event Winners
200 Yard Medley Relay 1:55.95
Maja Harren, Rebecca Horpel, Sierra Gibson, Lauren Wirdzek
200 Yard Freestyle Maja Harren 1:59.49
200 Yard Individual Medley Sierra Gibson 2:17.40
100 Yard Freestyle Maja Harren 55.08
100 Yard Breaststroke Rebecca Horpel 1:10.87
400 Yard Freestyle 3:50.85
Sierra Gibson, Lauren Wirdzek, Gabrielle White, Maja Harren
Varsity Boys Event Winners
200 Yard Medley Relay 1:38.52
Frank Horpel, Patrick Brown, Bronson Brown, Chris Kerner
200 Yard Freestyle Frank Horpel 1:43.36
200 Yard Individual Medley Patrick Brown 1:58.96
100 Yard Butterfly Bronson Brown 53.48
500 Yard Freestyle Frank Horpel 4:39.22
100 Yard Backstroke Patrick Hassett 56.35
100 Yard Breaststroke Patrick Brown 58.78
400 Yard Freestyle Relay 3:14.39
Miles Teague, Patrick Brown, Chris Kerner, Frank Horpel