LAKEPORT, Calif. – The high school swim season opened on Thursday, Feb. 28, as Clear Lake/Kelseyville dueled Analy at the Westshore pool in Lakeport.

Top-ranked Analy dominated the meet, as expected.

“Facing Analy is always a humbling experience,” said Clear Lake/Kelseyville Coach Agustin Merodio. “They have such a strong program and all we can do is focus on doing our best. Our boys actually did well, considering who they were up against.”

Freshman Owen Lawler led the boys’ varsity placing first in the 100 breaststroke with a personal best time of 1:16.85.  

He was also on the winning 200 yard medley relay team, accompanied by senior Pedro Hernandez, junior Andres Tejeda and senior Evan Thompson.  

“Keep your eye on Owen. He’s going to have a great season this year,” said Merodio.

Other notable boys capturing second place finishes included junior Nathan Powers, who narrowly missed first place by less than a second in the 50 freestyle; junior Connor Disney, who came on strong at the finish in the 100 freestyle; senior Evan Thompson (100 butterfly), and freshman Kyle Nakken, (200 freestyle).   

“Kyle did amazingly well,” said Merodio. “This was his very first meet, going against some very tough competition, and in his first event he takes second.  Nice job.”

Second place scores were also achieved in the 200 freestyle relay by Disney, Powers, Thompson, and senior Aaron Copsey; as well as the 400 freestyle relay by Hernandez, Tejeda, Thompson and Lawler.

In girls’ varsity, third place times were posted by sophomore Liz Fricker (50 freestyle); senior Shao-Jia Chang (100 butterfly); and junior Allison Hanson (500 freestyle).

Last year, the future of the combined Clear Lake/Kelseyville team was in serious doubt at the end of the season due to high propane costs and other expenses.  

Thanks to enormous community support in all the team’s fundraising efforts, including the fireworks booth, bingo night, ATV raffle, pancake breakfast, among others, as well as donations from the CLHS Sports Foundation and numerous local merchants, the team not only survived but grew considerably in size.  

This investment in local youth is deeply appreciated by the team.