By SANDY HURLOCKER
Hilltopper Swim and Dive Team
With a mix of returning swimmers and enthusiastic newcomers, the Hilltopper Swim and Dive Team takes a strong November showing into the Bill Hudson Classic, coming up Dec. 6-7 at the Los Alamos Aquatic Center.
Last month the team kicked off the season at Albuquerque Academy’s Barney Relays with boys placing second and girls third. Next the team went to Taos for a rare head-to-head meet, where both the Boys and Girls swimmers prevailed. Not only did the team win on the scoreboard, but according to head coach Pat Brug, they earned praise for displaying great team spirit as well.
“The Taos coaches thanked me for our wonderful team spirit,” Coach Brug said. “They appreciated our swimmers cheering for both teams, and said it was very rare. We’ve already had some great swims. So far we have 16 State qualifying times with individual swims and our relays. That’s a great place to be this early in the season.”
Team members with State qualifying times include:
- Asher Koh: Boys Diving
- Will Borovina: Boys 100 Backstroke, 100 & 500 Freestyle
- Thomas Daligault: Boys 100 Butterfly
- Michelle Lo: Girls 100 Butterfly
- Sonya Pakin: Girls 100 butterfly
- Zane Pedersen: Boys 200 Individual Medley, 50 &100 Freestyle
- Sophia Pieck: Girls 50 & 100 Freestyle
- Takeshi Shiina: Boys 100 Freestyle
- Girls 200 Medley Relay – Allie Holland, Sonya Pakin, Deb Brug, Emma Riede
- Boys 200 Medley Relay – Will Borovina, Zane Pedersen, Takeshi Shiina, Tyghe Tripp
- Boys 400 Free Relay – Ammon Lee, Will Borovina, Zach Sestric, Takeshi Shiina
Along with seasoned swimmers, Coach Brug noted eighth grader William Champenois “crushing his first swim meet ever with a 0:38.39 in the 50 Freestyle.”
The team’s next meet will be the Bill Hudson Memorial, its only home meet, which will start at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 with diving, and continue at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 with swim competition.