Swim team makes morons of Oxy
Campus Times
February 15, 2002
Senior John Chon swims the butterfly as the third leg in the men's
400 yard medley relay last Saturday in Occidental's Taylor Pool. Both the
men's and women's teams were victorious in this, their last regular season
swim meet of the season. The final scores were 120-91 for the women and
102-91 for the men.
The waves crashed at Occidental College Saturday when the University
of La Verne men's and women's swim teams defeated both of Occidental's swim
teams in the Leopards last dual meet of the 2001-2002 season.
The wins placed both the men's and women's teams in solid ties for third
place in the Southern California Intercollegiate Conference. The teams should
have a solid chance at scoring similar or better results at conference
championships, which will take place next weekend at Cerritos Aquatic Center,
head coach John Hallman said.
The Leopards pulled a sneak attack on the Tigers in the final relay
of the meet to determine the outcome of the men's meet, winning 102-91.
The Leopards were winning the meet by only a few points going into
the final relay, and the team who won the final relay was the team who
would win the meet.
With four strong swimmers on the final realy, the Leopards were able
to hold onto the the meet.
Swimmers Jason Walters, who placed first in the 200-yard individual
medley and first in the 100-yard freestyle, Ryan MacDonald, who placed first
in the 200-yard breaststroke, and John Chon, who placed first in the 50-yard
freestyle, all contributed to the Leopards win over Occidental.
First place finishes from Allison Alasteuy in the mile and the 200-yard
backstroke, a win from Gabi Bahlo in the 100-yard freestyle, and a win in
the 4x100-yard medley relay, as well as the 4x200-yard freestyle relay,
propelled the women to triumph over the Tigers, in a final score of 120-91.
The win at Occidental helped serve as a dress rehearsal for the Leopards,
as both the teams needed confidence going into the final meet of the season.
It was a day full of mixed emotions for the ULV Leopards, as the seniors,
who will be the very first graduating class, swam in their final dual meet
of their careers.
Other than the meet on Saturday the seasons of everyone on the team
are over.
The SCIAC conference championships is the grand finale for both the
men's and women's team.
The 2002 graduating class signifies more than just a new class of incoming
talent, but the Leopards will be graduating the inaugural season seniors.
The 2002 class entered the swim program four years ago, with hopes for
success as the University of La Verne's inaugural team. The team is graduation
ten seniors from the original team.
"We started something new together and now we get to finish together,"
said senior John Chon.
"It is very emotional that we are losing these inaugural season
seniors," said Hallman.
"I am so proud of those who have continued on this journey. This
is an experience that they will be able to draw upon for the rest of their
lives," he said.
Looking ahead to conference championships will be the women's 200-yard
freestyle relay.
In 2000, the women's relay qualified for the Division III National meet
in Atlanta, Georgia.
Three out of the 4 women, Tandis Morgen, Katie Aimone, and Summer Hammons,
are back in 2002 and are hoping to reclaim their title.
With help from freshman all-star Gabi Bahlo, their hopes for a repeating
the championship title are well within reach.
"On paper these girls are just as good as they were in 2000."
Hall man said.
"Going into this meet our expectations are extremely high. We have
the conference record, and if we are all on, we should break it. We will
own it," said senior Summer Hammons.
Other swims to look ahead for at the championships will be Walters
who will be competing in the 200 yard individual medley, 100 yard backstroke,
and 200 yard backstroke, Mac Donald in the 100 and 200 yard breastroke,
Aimone in the 100 yard backstroke, and Alasteuy in the 500 yard freestyle
and 200 yard backstroke.
Relay teams for both men's and women's teams should be strong in every
event, Hallman said.
The regular season will conclude this Saturday at Cerritos Aquatic Center
in the SCIAC Conference Championships. The meet starts at 11 a.m on Thursday,
Friday and Saturday.
