5 individual and 5 relays qualify for section meet
GILROY – When Kim Spaulding arrives at swim practice at Gilroy High School, she usually has a smile on her face and a bounce in her step.
The junior swimmer’s already qualified for her first Central Coast Section meet in three individual events – the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle and 200 IM – as well as being part of three qualifying relay teams.
“She’s so excited that she qualified for CCS. She’s swimming so fast. She’s excited about how well she’s swimming,” said head coach Tom Clark of his inspirational swimmer. “It’s motivation for her and for the rest of the team.”
In addition, Spaulding is within 100th of a second of qualifying in the 100 butterfly.
“She’s having an outstanding year,” Clark said.
Spaulding, however, is not the only Mustang swimmer set for CCS. Two of her teammates on the girls varsity squad are also individual qualifiers, and two members of the boys varsity team are in.
“They’re having fun and going really fast,” Clark said. “It’s fun swimming fast and qualifying for CCS.”
Senior Lindsey Been has qualified for CCS in the past, but never this early – already making the cut in the 50 free with a best of 25.9 and the 100 free with a best of 57.39.
“She’s working her tail off and she’s getting results,” said Clark of Been. “Her hard work has made a huge difference. Last year, she barely got in the cut for the 50 free. This year, she’s under the cut by at least half a second.”
Senior Lourella Palao, who has qualified for CCS every season for the Lady Mustangs, will once again compete in the section meet in the 100 backstroke.
“She broke our team record,” said Clark of Palao, who swam a school-best 1:05.5 in the 100 back. “With a little bit more effort, she has a chance of getting into the consolation finals.”
The CCS preliminaries are scheduled for May 19 and the CCS championships are set for May 22. The top eight finishers advance to the final heat and the next eight battle in the consolation heat.
Spaulding, Been and Palao, along with teammate AJ Watkins, set the school record for the 200 medley relay, which has qualified them for CCS.
The 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay teams, comprised of Spaulding, Been, Palao and Stephanie Smith, will also be at the CCS meet for Gilroy.
The girls varsity team has not won in league at four meets this season, but the Lady Mustangs are short-handed with only six varsity swimmers, compared to 34 junior varsity members.
“We’ve been losing every meet, but we’re winning half the events,” Clark said. “They’re doing really well. We just have no depth at all.”
The girls varsity lost to the Haybalers on Friday in Hollister, while the girls junior varsity (3-1 record) came out on top.
There is also reason for excitement on the boys varsity swim team, ,which has qualified two individuals and two relays for CCS.
Junior standout Santiago Maciel has continued his stellar swim career, qualifying in the 200 IM, the 100 fly, and the 100 back.
“Right now, he’s one of the top 10 flyers in CCS,” said Clark of Maciel. “He’s coming in for double work-outs. … Lifetime best without any rest.”
Junior Lee Walton is having a break-out season for the Mustangs, qualifying in the 200 free (1:52.00) and the 500 free.
“He’s having a career year for him,” Clark said. “Last year, he won the 200 free at the league championships and he’s already seven seconds faster than his winning time.”
Walton and Santiago are both on the CCS-qualifying relay teams for the 200 free and the 400 free, along with teammates Scott Castruita, Chris Hunt, and Sam Whitaker.
“Both relays have a chance to qualify for the consolation finals,” Clark said.
The boys varsity team suffered a three-point loss to Hollister on Friday to drop to 2-2 on the season, but Clark is confident the Mustangs will win out in their last three league meets against Palma, North Salinas and Monterey.
“We lost to Hollister by three points and we don’t have any divers,” Clark said. “That was the difference. If you take the diving out, we won the meet.”
Gilroy High has not had divers on the swim team in four seasons. Clark said the reason is there is no diving coach on staff and his expertise rests with the swimmers.
The boys junior varsity team upped its record to 3-1 with Friday’s victory over Hollister.
