Brightly shining, the sun sparkles off the shimmering pool water as lanes of swimmers take lap after lap. The cool water sprays off of the swimmers’ arms as they maintain a steady speed from one side of the pool to the other. Head swim coach, Nester Dordoni, calls out words of encouragement through his megaphone as he paces up and down the side of the pool. He settles down in a chair by the pool, monitoring the swimmers through his shades, warmly smiling.
Dordoni’s goal for this year’s season is to have the boys win league like they did last year, and for the girls to earn 2nd place in league as opposed to their 4th place win last season. The biggest competition for the teams is Santa Monica High School and Beverly High. However, after the boys defeat to Beverly Hills on April 18, winning league will not be an option. Although, the girls’ victory over Beverly at the same meet has increased their chance of reaching Dordoni’s goal.
Senior Ruth Basurto, named Most Valuable Player (MVP) at Ocean League for water polo, says the swim season has been “going really good...everyone’s strong, really hard working.” Senior Bryan Kocker agrees and hopes to make it to CIF for relay league finals. Senior Alessandro Furlan wishes to improve his time this season but also aims for another goal, “as long as I don’t get last place, I’ll be happy,” Furlan said as he laughs.
Lastly, Dordoni adds, “I think the whole team is stars...they practice for two and a half hours everyday. They are all stars.” League Prelims will be held at Beverly Hills High School on Wed, May 1.
