BY SANDY HURLOCKER

With a mix of returning swimmers and enthusiastic newcomers, the Hilltopper Swim and Dive Team takes a strong November showing into the Bill Hudson Classic, coming up Dec. 6 and 7 at the Los Alamos Aquatic Center.

Last month the team kicked off the season at Albuquerque Academy’s Barney Relays with boys placing second and girls third. Next the team went to Taos for a rare head-to- head meet, where both the Boys and Girls swimmers prevailed. Not only did the team win on the scoreboard, but according to head coach Pat Brug, they earned praise for displaying great team spirit as well.

“The Taos coaches thanked me for our wonderful team spirit,” said Coach Brug. “They appreciated our swimmers cheering for both teams, and said it was very rare.”

“We’ve already had some great swims,” Coach Brug went on to note. “So far we have 16 State qualifying times with individual swims and our relays. That’s a great place to be this early in the season.”

Team members with State qualifying times include:
Asher Koh: Boys Diving
Will Borovina: Boys 100 Backstroke, 100 & 500 Freestyle
Thomas Daligault: Boys 100 Butterfly
Michelle Lo: Girls 100 Butterfly
Sonya Pakin: Girls 100 butterfly
Zane Pedersen: Boys 200 Individual Medley, 50 &100 Freestyle
Sophia Pieck: Girls 50 & 100 Freestyle
Takeshi Shiina: Boys 100 Freestyle
Girls 200 Medley Relay – Allie Holland, Sonya Pakin, Deb Brug, Emma Riede
Boys 200 Medley Relay – Will Borovina, Zane Pedersen, Takeshi Shiina, Tyghe Tripp
Boys 400 Free Relay – Ammon Lee, Will Borovina, Zach Sestric, Takeshi Shiina

Along with seasoned swimmers, Coach Brug noted eighth grader William Champenois “crushing his first swim meet ever with a 0:38.39 in the 50 Freestyle.”

The team’s next meet will be the Bill Hudson Memorial, its only home meet, which will start Friday Dec. 6 with diving at 5:00 p.m., and continue Saturday Dec. 7 with swim competition starting at 10:30 a.m.