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May 15, 2009 - By Konnor La
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“I have been here for around 39 years and about 25 of those have been crushing,†said swim coach Glenn Anderson. North’s swim team has not been close to beating Poly on any level: junior varsity girls and boys or varsity girls and boys. It wasn’t until last season that North even had a chance to beat Poly. North JV boys came within 12 points, while the varsity boys were defeated by around 20.
Anderson’s swim era was coming to a close but he was putting everything he had on the line. “I was nervous... I tried as hard as I could to keep my composure outwardly,†said Anderson.
The difference between this year’s team and last year’s team was experience. North maintained the majority of its top swimmers like senior Eric Bourgain-Chang and juniors Mile Veasey, Garrett Jones and James Inglett. Poly on the other hand lost five key swimmers last year while North only lost two important seniors.
The practice regimen was more intense in comparison to other years. Morning practice yards were increased to around 5000 while afternoon practices were around 3500 yards. Needless to say, swim practice was no joke.
In addition to daily practice some swimmers trained under assistant coach Carl Sanchez. Sanchez has been working with the swim team since 2006 by heading up the weightlifting program. He is known for running a tough program that is strictly optional. Those who choose to participate witness evidence of his tough program in the countless lifters qualifying for CIF or entering as alternates.
Anderson often tips his hat towards Sanchez. “Those kids on certain days go three-a-day. They do rigorous lower and upper body work along with endurance training after. It was a tough program but those who make it reaps its benefits.â€
With experience and desire North’s 2009 boys varsity swim team took its first victory over Poly. The score was 91-79 coming down to the 4 x 100 relay. After Jones came in for the victory, a sign of relief showed on Anderson’s face. Despite the fact that North still had one swim meet, North had already secured the top rank in the dual meet season.
“This was a great feeling. Being on JV last year and almost beating Poly was already a good feeling but now that we have actually beaten them I feel great. This is going to be one of the best swim memories,†said sophomore James Kollar.
The swimmers took this confidence with them as they entered Big VIII League championships. Everyone swam their best although depth still proved to be their greatest flaw.
Unlike top teams such as Poly and Santiago, North lacked strength in the fourth individual swimmer. During dual meet season only three individual swimmers are permitted in an event but at championships the limit is extended. All schools revert to their JV swimmers to make up for the gap but Huskies couldn’t quite make the quota.
North came in third with a score of 333. Poly came in first with 388.5 and Santiago came in second with 356.5. North ended the season coming in second place just behind Poly who continued its swimming dominance.
Despite the fact that North fell short during championships, the 2009 swimming Huskies proved to the swimming community that it is one of the best swim teams in North’s history.
They will be competing against the top swimmers in Southern California today at the CIF prelims.
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