Assoc. Opinion Editor
Photos by Raj Jain
Boys’ and girls’ swimming each captured the Rio Hondo title on Thursday, April 30 after dominating the Temple City Rams to remain undefeated in league.
The girls gained their lead dominating in Freestyle, starting out the meet sweeping in the 200 Free, senior Grace Wakabayashi taking first. Wakabayashi led the team in the 500 Free as well, followed closely by juniors Laura Mendenhall and Carolyn Halley, who took second and third, respectively. Captain senior Kate Iio joined Wakabayashi in leading the team to victory. Iio took first in the 50 Free, as well as the 100 Free, where the squad swept yet again. The 400 Freestyle relay earned the squad twelve points to close the girls’ meet, Tiger teams taking first and second. The squad came out on top of the Rams 111-56.
“The coaches have been pushing us extra hard,” Iio said. “They know our strengths well and put us in our best ones, so we were able to come out very strong!”
The boys buried Temple City further, also sweeping in several events and dominating 144-25. Captain senior Garrett Tse doubled to take first in the 200 Individual Medley as well as the 100 Breast. Freestyle events pushed the boys ahead as well, junior Harry Kim seizing first in the 100 and 200 Free, leading the squad to sweep in both events. Taking first, second, and third in the 400 Free Relay brought the Tigers to 144 to finish the meet and shut out the Rams.
“We lost a lot of seniors this year and had to work hard to earn our league title,” Kim said. “We are in currently Division Two for CIF. It will be hard work, but we are pushing towards D1 next year.”
Next for the Tigers are Rio Hondo League preliminaries next Wednesday, May 6.
“Our coaches push us really hard, and that on top of their moral support will keep leading us to victory,” Iio said. “We are still going to be working hard and training like no other leading up to Wednesday!”
