The pool deck was filled with energy as Corona del Mar faced off against the Marina Vikings in a highly anticipated swim meet. From the first whistle to the final race, both teams showed determination, speed, and strong school pride. Swimmers pushed themselves in every event, turning the meet into a fast-paced and competitive atmosphere. With close finishes and standout performances, the meet highlighted not only athletic skill but also the dedication of athletes on both sides.
Before the meet, Alli Baron, a sophomore on junior varsity, was interviewed on how she felt going into the meet. Baron expressed her excitement for the meet and showed how positive she was about how the team would beat Marina. She explained how her favorite stroke was breast stroke as she “feels most confident in that, then the others”. Baron enjoys swim meets because she finds it fun to be with her team, and expressed that overall the team is more “valuable” to her than the swimming, as being part of that group of people makes her have more energy going into future swim meets. At the meet, she was set to swim the 200 medley relay, 50 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay, and 400 freestyle relay.
Also interviewed before the meet, Sofia Szymanowski, a junior on varsity, was interviewed on how she had felt entering the meet against Marina. Going into the meet, she was excited to swim the 200 IM, 200 freestyle relay, 100 breaststroke, and 400 freestyle relay. She had also included her confidence in beating Marina: “I think we definitely have it in the bag.” Sofia ended up winning all of her individual events as well as the relays she was a part of, proving her spot on varsity and as a University of Michigan commit. Go Wolverines!
Starting the meet off with a bang, the Sea Kings dominated the open division, sweeping Marina with a 1 and 2 win in the 200 medley relay. Corona del Mar continued to win big with first-place finishes in the rest of the divisions for the 200 medley.
Some star performances by the Sea Kings and Sea Queens were senior Josie Alaluf’s 100 butterfly, going a fast 1:03, placing second by an outtouch, and Radomir Shostak’s 100 backstroke, going an insanely speedy 57.88, taking first, and partaking in a CdM boys’ 1,2,3 sweep in the race.
Corona del Mar took the win over Marina 614-274. After spring break, the swim team will battle Los Alamitos at their pool. Make sure to look out for their results at that meet too!
