Scotts Valley
Scotts Valley High has put some impressive swimmers in the water this season for a school that doesn’t have a swimming pool. The Falcons girls are now 2-0 after winning all events and beating St. Francis Watsonville 109-20 on March 4.
“We have some big tests still in front of us still,” said Head Coach Mike Ayers. “Aptos, Santa Cruz and SLV are perennial powerhouses in girl’s swimming. But, right now, the girls are swimming very well, winning races and having fun.”
The varsity girls won all events with senior Camille Huxtable winning the 200 IM in 2 minutes, 50.18 seconds and the 100 backstroke in 1:15.29.
Sophomore Savannah Wohlstattar also won two events taking first in the 200 Freestyle in 2:21.49 and 100 Breaststroke in 1:30.33.
The two girls joined up with Tatiana Gonzales and Elizabeth Von Hanaulter to win the 200 medley relay in 2:18.65 and the 400 free relay in 4:39.49. Von Hanaulter won the 50 free (29.08) and Gonzales the 100 Freestyle (1:09.74). Abby Utic was the 100 Butterfly winner with a personal best 1:19.50 and Samantha Braverman brought home first in the 1 meter springboard diving. Ali Ayers, Abby Utic, Kelsey Van Valer and Lia Burrowes won the 200 Free Relay in 2:09.60
Scotts Valley High swims next at Harbor High at 4 p.m. March 18.
San Lorenzo Valley
The pool at San Lorenzo Valley is a busy place hosting both swim teams from San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley High Schools.
SLV swim coach Ned Hern has overseen the swim program and watches it struggle as enrollment tapers at the school.
“It’s really tough,” Hern said. “We used to have no problem fielding 15 to 20 man teams, now we are struggling to get all the events filled.”
The Cougar boys finished third in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League competition last season and Hern expects to finish around there again.
“We have a lot of strength at individual events but we are thin,” Hern said.
The strength he is referring to is Devon Northcott, who swims the individual medley, Tim Steinberg, distance free stroke and butterfly and diver Curtis Garrett.
On the girls side, Hearn expects standout performances from Maddy Pfister, Shannon Belardi, Cherina Billington, and Morgan Friend.
“There are seven different boys spring sports going on right now,” Hern stated. “Out of 350 male students to even field a team is impressive. But there are some really strong teams in our league.”
SLV has a bye this week, but will host Scotts Valley High at 4 p.m. March 25.
