Varsity swim crush the Lancers

Norma Flores, Sports Editor

April 3, 2012

After an easy win against St. Joseph’s by the girls varsity swim team, and a loss by the boys against St. John Bosco, the Vikings searched to redeem themselves against the Bell Gardens Lancers on March 29, at 3 p.m., at the Downey Aquatic Center.

The meet started promptly with the medley relays, which were won by the Vikes with 4 second leads in the boys varsity relays, they competed against each other because the Lancers did not have a relay. The Lady Vikes medley relay, consisting of Lishteri Curiel, 10, Faith Hundtoft, 12 , Norma Flores 11, and Meghan Nevarez, 11, made their CIF consideration time in the medley relay.

The Lancers seemed to be no match for the Vikes in almost any events. Some events such as the 500 free and the medley relays for boys were competed amongst each other, with no competition from the opposing team. Nevarez attempted to make CIF for the 100 free, which consisted of swimming 4 laps free style under 58 seconds, she qualified with a time of 57.66 seconds.

“ I always just try my best, and I give it my all in every race like it was the last,” Nevarez said. “It’s the only way I can always leave with that feeling of accomplishment.”

The boys varsity team, too, attempted to qualify for the 200 medley relay and succeeded.

“Coach D told us that if we made CIF then we wouldn’t have to swim the 4 by 100 free relay for the rest of the season,” Manuel Fernandez said. “With that much at stake, we just went out there and dominated.”

It was not a really competitive meet, since there was much of a varsity team, but it proved to be a meet full of success.

“We work hard; some sets include swimming about 4,000 yards. If it’s what it takes to make my swimmers faster, then I will do it,” Coach Castro said. “ A little sourness never hurt any one.”

Both boys and girls continue to work harder than ever, as league is right around the corner. This meet served as a way to relax and get ready for the busy schedule ahead of them next week as they take on three consecutive meets, and their first league meet of the season.

About the Contributor

Norma Flores, Sports Editor

Norma Flores, 12, is a writer and photographer for The Downey Legend for the second year in a row. She wants to portray Downey High through images that kindle others to want to be involved with their campus. “I’ve always had an interest in writing and photography,” Flores said. “I would like to show others what I’m capable of.” A goal Flores has in mind is to be an FBI agent, criminal profiler, or a part of the Behavioral Analysis Unit because she is interested on how an individual’s mind is persuaded to commit a certain type of crime. Her main interest is swimming, but she also enjoys reading books and writing whatever comes to her mind. Flores’s hobbies are working out and running because she feels free when doing so. One of her dreams is to become an Olympic swimmer. “I want to make my life worth it and would like to impact on other’s lives too, because the world has a lot to offer to us,” she said. “We shouldn’t conform because we each have some sort of role to play, and we should push ourselves over our own comfort zones and be daring.” Although Flores may have a lot to show to her peers regarding her capabilities, she may also inspire those who do not know her through the dedication expressed by her own skills.