LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The combined high school swim team, made up of 20 swimmers from Clear Lake High School and Kelseyville High School, competed in their first swim meet last week in the newly developed Coastal Mountain Conference.

Swimming with eight new swimmers to the team, four of whom are freshmen, the team came out strong with 20 first-place finishes out of 22 races.

“This was an extraordinary first meet for our swim team. I have never seen us start out with such strength,” according to Head Coach Agustin Merodio. “Our veteran swimmers mentored our new swimmers and everyone proved that, with enough practice, we can dominate in the water.”

Freshman Alberto Sturr was the most decorated new swimmer with two individual wins and two wins in the relay races.

Freshman Nikki Hanson raced in two winning relay teams and Freshmen Danielle Erickson and Mikayla Parrott both had second place finishes in relay events and individual events.

New to the team this year, Hayden Turner finished first in the 100 Freestyle, Ethan Smith raced with three winning relay teams, Sean Whitmire swam in a winning relay team and Hallie Holmes raced in two newly formed relay teams – finishing second in both races.

Veteran swimmers finishing first were Lauren Rudnick in the 500 Freestyle, Kaylie Williams in the 500 Freestyle, Liz Fricker in the 200 Freestyle and 100 Breaststroke, Shannon Fronsman in the 100 Butterfly, Amelia Tejeda in the 100 Freestyle, Paige LaVrar in the 100 Backstroke, Tasia Jardstrom swimming in the 400 Free Relay, Diego Tejeda in the 200 Individual Medley, and Owen Lawler in the 100 Butterfly and 100 Breaststroke.

Injured swimmers Tim Peterson and Max Madrzyk traveled with the team but were unable to compete due to leg injuries.

The high school swim team is swimming at Quail Run Fitness Center and has been practicing since the beginning of February.

“It was a rough start due to some technical issues but with the support of coaches and parents we were finally able to get in the water. I am incredibly thankful for the support we get from the community, school districts, parents and fans of this team – without their support we would not be in the water,” said team President Jennifer Hanson.

“We keep in touch with past swim team members who are now swimming at college and their continued successes make us more determined than ever to sustain this team for many years to come,” Hanson said.

The high school swim team and the Lake County Channel Cats will be hosting their eighth annual Family Bingo Night on April 11 at the Lakeport Senior Center.