Girls Swimming Preview: Uni on Sea Kings’ minds

Steve Virgen

CORONA DEL MAR - Even though the Corona del Mar High girls swim

team lost 12 seniors from last year’s squad, the Sea Kings still believe

they can contend with Pacific Coast League defending champion University.

Corona’s finish last year will definitely serve as motivation for the

Sea Kings this season. Uni narrowly defeated CdM as the Trojans won the

PCL finals on the last lap of the last relay race and the Sea Kings

settled for second place of the PCL.

“I’m excited I’m getting to see new faces,” said CdM Coach Doug

Volding, who is in his 16th season with the Sea Kings. “It’s like opening

Christmas presents.”

Volding has already revealed his gifts and though the Sea Kings

suffered a 95-68 nonleague setback to host Newport Harbor, he was

impressed with some of the finishes. Also, he said he received a great

indication of where CdM stands against a quality Sailors’ program.

“We won’t be carried by one grade level,” Volding said. “We’ll be

getting points from all grade levels. They are all enthusiastic. We have

a lot of power.”

Senior Lauren Powers will be among the leaders for the Sea Kings this

season. Volding said Powers can pick up points in several events. Against

the Tars, she teamed with junior Heather Hapeman and freshmen Kim McKay

and Vivian Liao in the 400 free relay to grab first place in 3:47.60.

Hapeman and Liao are one of many girls who played on the water polo

team that finished as PCL co-champions. Sophomores Danielle Carlson,

Christina Hewko, Brittney Bowlus, Jessica Harkins and juniors Lauren

Guthrie, Jessica Fries, Alexa Miller and Hayley Sheetz were also a part

of the Sea Kings’ water polo program.

Two freshmen, Amy Strack and Natalie Wayte, also played water polo and

Volding is excited for the future with the swim team as well.

Junior Rachel Colgate, who will specialize in the butterfly events,

played tennis last year and Volding said he is pleased to get her back.

Volding also said to watch for Bridget Inglis. Plus, girls basketball

standouts the McCoy sisters, Kristin, a junior and Jackie, a sophomore,

will be transferring their competitive spirit and hard work to the swim

team.

CORONA DEL MAR GIRLS SWIMMING

Brittney Bowlus So.

Danielle Carlson So.

Kathryn Cole Jr.

Rachel Colgate Jr.

Daniela DiGiacomo So.

Jessica Fries Jr.

Lauren Guthrie Jr.

Kari Hammerschmitt Sr.

Heather Hapeman Jr.

Jessica Harkins So.

Kimberly Henderson Sr.

Nikola Hendrickson So.

Christina Hewko So.

Bridget Inglis Sr.

Kelli Kline So.

Tracy Kubas Fr.

Vivian Liao Fr.

Jackie McCoy So.

Kristin McCoy Sr.

Kim McKay Fr.

Julie Mendelson Jr.

Alexa Miller Jr.

Elizabeth Powers Sr.

Hayley Sheetz Jr.

Elizabeth Strack Fr.

Natalie Wayte Fr.

Yvette Zaharson Jr.

Coach: Doug Volding