Girls’ swimming starts off with a splash

Coaches: Kristen Thomson and Christian Bonner

Last season’s record: 1-5

Last season’s recap: Although last season was not as spectacular as the previous years, sophomore Yayla Sezginer made it into the consolation finals with the 100 backstroke.  
Additionally, alumnus Natalie Cheung, senior Stephanie Chen, Sezginer and junior Nikki de Roos also made it into the consolation finals for the 400 freestyle relay.

Star players: senior Stephanie Chen (freestyle) and sophomore Yayla Sezginer (backstroke)

Key additions: senior Suzannah Osekowsky (backstroke)

Key meets: Los Gatos, Palo Alto, Monta Vista

Along with an influx of numerous new swimmers, with a total of 36 signups between JV and varsity, the returning members of the team are excited for the new season.

“We’re going to try to be a lot more organized so we can further team spirit,” senior Stephanie Chen said. “Also, this year we’re hoping to place closer to the top of our league since other schools have lost some really key people.”

The team is especially looking forward to meets against rivals Los Gatos, Monta Vista and Palo Alto.

“The Gunn meet is also really nice because they do pushups on the last lap of the meet as a tradition,” senior Suzannah Osekowsky said.

Because of the many new swimmers moving up to varsity, Osekowsky said that the void left by alumni Natalie Cheung and Rebecca Chen for breaststroke and butterfly respectively should not be too big a problem.

Swim coach Kristen Thomson said she hopes that returning athletes improve their times while newcomers swim their personal best.

“We just want to try to get as many people [as possible] to make and final at CCS,” Chen said.