Tess Whittet
Executive Sports Editor
Mira Costa’s swim team dove past its other competitors, allowing the swimmers to place high in numerous events.
The team competed in the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Division two in prelims on May 11 and finals over the weekend on May 12 and 13. The swimmers all placed high and broke multiple Costa records.
“All across the board, Costa swam amazingly,” Le said. “Everyone was focused and competitive, but we also all had a great time. I couldn’t have asked for more enjoyable and supportive teammates and coaches.”
Junior Kai Bathurst competed for the Mustangs in the 200 freestyle and 100 freestyle. Bathurst placed second in the 200 free with a time of 1:38.83, and sixth in the 100 free with a 46.38 time. Bathurst set new Mira Costa records with both of these scores.
“I think that the coaching and my teammates helped me place so high through their support and guidance,” Bathurst said.
Senior Andrew White also placed high in the 100 freestyle, placing fourth with the time of 50.71. White also participated in the 100 backstroke where he placed sixth with a 50.92 time and set a new Mira Costa record.
“What helped me place so high is really just the work that is put into the sport, as well as my coaches and teammates setting the bar very high, which all in all pushed me to try my best and allowed me to do very well,” White said.
The Mustangs also had junior Colin Le competing for the team. Le broke his own school record with a time of 21.15 in the 50 freestyle, where he placed second. Lee also competed in the 100 backstroke and placed eleventh.
“It was such an exhilarating race and I’m really happy with how I did,” Le said.
Mira Costa also competed in boy relays. One team made up of senior Jack Kittay, Le, White, and Bathurst competed in the 200 freestyle and won first with 1:24.77 and made the All-American team. Another team competed in the 500 freestyle and placed fifth with Kittay, Le, White, and Bathurst.
“It was an unbelievable experience that I never could have imagined,” Le said. “It was so fun seeing our team working together so well and being able to properly execute.”
Junior Alex Crisera led Costa’s girls team by breaking two Division two records in the prelims. Crisera broke the 100 backstroke CIF record with a 52.87 time, and the 50 freestyle with 22.59. Crisera placed well in the finals as well, where she placed first in 100 free and second in the 100 backstroke.
“I was really happy with how I did,” Crisera. “I didn’t end up winning [the 100 backstroke] event because I went a little slower in the finals, but still coming out of the meet with a new record is always a great feeling.”
Mira Costa girls competed in two relays in the competition. Sophomore Leigh Lyter, senior Mona Stone, junior Riley Farrel, and Crisera made up the team that placed second with 1:36.55 in the 200 free relay. In the 200 medley relay Junior Grace Barnhill, Farrel, Stone, and Crisera placed 8th. The scores allowed swimmers qualified for California State Championship meet.
“Our relay got second, which was amazing because none of us were expecting that at all,” Crisera said. “We all really raced the best we could and gave it our all for our last high school event of the season.”
One Costa student, Jacob Haim, competed in CIF Division two dive meet on Monday May 7 at Riverside Aquatics Complex. Haim placed third, qualifying him to compete in the finals, where he also placed third, allowing him to go to the State Championship on May 18 in Fresno.
“I tried to stay consistent with all of my dives and save my energy, which I think really helped me in this competition,” Haim said.
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