The Mustangs are back in the GHS pool on April 20 as they host
Seaside. The meet will start at 3:30 p.m.
In his 13th year as head coach of the Gilroy High swimming team, Tom Clark can’t recall the last time he had a female qualify for the Central Coast Section championships in five different individual events.
Freshman Anna Brolin is closing in on that feat.
Brolin, with a 2:20.64 in the 200-meter individual medley, added a fourth CCS qualifying time on Tuesday as the Mustangs hosted Salinas in a Tri-County Athletic League dual meet.
“She’s just starting to get the confidence in herself,” Clark said as he closely watched one of his swimmer’s final lap. “She’s really close in the 100 free also.”
Brolin will also swim in the 50 free, 100 butterfly and the 100 breaststroke at the CCS meet in May, clocking season-best times in each event; times she can rattle off in a blink – 25.8 in the 50, 1:02.11 in the 100 fly and 1:05 in the 100 breast.
“I think all the different meets I’ve been to and all the practices (have prepared me),” Brolin said, adding that she is still a little surprise at her success this season.
“I’ve been close with my times and been practicing a lot more than usual, and I’d didn’t think I could swim that fast, I guess.”
The varsity Mustangs, though falling short of victory Tuesday, had swimmers finish first in seven individual events and three relay swims.
“We just don’t have enough depth,” Clark said.
Christina Collett won both the 200 free (2:06.88) and the 500 free (5:51.34), Michelle Shields took first in the 50 free (26.67) and the 100 (58.19), Kim Davis placed first in the 100 backstroke (1:07.54) and Brittney Malick beat the field in the 100 breast (1:19.41).
The 200 and 400 free and 200 medley relay teams also finished first.
If you think the girls’ team has low numbers, you’d be right. But take a look at the varsity boys’ squad, it’s nearly invisible.
For instance, senior Brian Pribyl swam two legs of the 200-medley relay during a dual meet at San Benito earlier in the season.
Due to an injury to freestyle specialist Michael Shields, as an example, the Mustangs don’t field a relay at every meet. However, Pribyl and Kyle Collett refuse to let it be a hindrance.
Pribyl, a senior, shot out of the blocks this season, qualifying for CCS in the 100 fly during the first meet of the season. He also has his sights set on the 100 breast where he is one second off
“He can swim the strokes,” Clark said of his most veteran swimmer.
Pribyl said that in spite of the low numbers his work ethic has increased his senior year and having a teammate like Collett, whom he can race helps in improvement.
“I get frustrated but I can’t stop working hard,” Pribyl said. “I’m working out every day. I’m starting to work on my technique. Swimming is like a physics thing and how much water you can pull.”
The Mustangs are back in the GHS pool on April 20 as they host Seaside. The meet will start at 3:30 p.m.
