Record-breaking swim teams win at HAAL by landslide

Trojans swim teams dominated the HAAL championships and came in first place on Saturday, May 12 at Chabot College.

After the hard and grueling sets of practice that led up to HAAL, the swimmers showed no mercy as they crushed other schools in the league and claimed the title of being undefeated once again.

The varsity girls and boys squads and both JV teams won first in their division by a landslide and beat each second place division winners by 100 points or more.

The varsity boys won for the ninth year in a row and defeated Bishop O’Dowd with a score of 638-449. Frank Horpel and Patrick Brown each won all four of their events and achieved record-breaking times. Brown broke his own records from last year in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke while Horpel broke a 20 year old record in the 200 freestyle.

The varsity girls marked their fifth HAAL triumph and scored 607 to Bishop O’Dowd’s 525. Sophomore Kate Miller was victorious and broke the 500 freestyle record from 1999. In addition, Miller, Luciana Balica, Laura Macchiavello, Lauren Wirdzek broke the 400 freestyle relay record from 1999.

Optimistic and confident, senior Bright Zhou believed in his teammates throughout Saturday’s HAAL meet.

“We’re going against really good swimmers from other teams, but I feel like overall our team worked really hard, and I really have high hopes that we’re going to win today,” said Zhou.

Enthusiasm filled the whole swimming arena as spectators and swimmers cheered on their own team.

“Without my team supporting me, I don’t know if I’d have the motivation to try as hard as I did in practice,” said senior Eshed Margalit.

Freshman Austin Lew agreed and described his first year on the team as rewarding.

“Everyone here is nice. They appreciated and welcomed me,” said Lew.

As for those who always wondered what the experience is like being in the CVHS swim team, Miller summed it up in one word.

“Fabulous,” exclaimed Miller.

Everyone on the swim team this season did great and many achieved their personal bests, explained coach Brian Berry.

As the season slowly winds down to an end, Berry reminds his team to, “Keep swimming fast, believe in yourself, stay in the shade, and drink water.”