The swimmer recipe – just add water

By Laurie Maemura and Julia Fuller

City College held its first official swim meet of the season featuring women and men swimmers from Foothill College, Chabot College and College of San Mateo. In between events City College Women’s Swimming Coach Phong D. Pham actively cheered swimmers before they dove into the water.

 

The life of a swimmer is not at all easy. First year swimmer Adrianna Yakab recounted the first week. “Since the season started, it was brutal.” The swimmers trained rigorously on Saturdays for two hours in the water and in the gym with a standard set of barbell weights, pull ups and stretching..

 

While Yakab waited for her event, she pumped herself up. Her teammates supportively surrounded her. “We get ready, loosen it out, and get into default routine. It’s second nature,” Yakab said.

 

First year swimmer Sophia Greco explains her routine of balancing school, work and practice is rough. “I go home, get hungry, eat, do homework and sleep.” She finds that having a team helps because they are in the same boat and she is not alone. “We discuss personal goals and season goals,” Greco said smiling.

 

Continuing sophomore swimmer Amelia Hobbs discussed her love for the sport and team bonding. “What really keeps me going is my love for swimming. It’s a goal to work towards. We are also all in similar situations so it’s great to have a team that is just as passionate about swimming as you are.”

 

Hobbs’ personal goal is beating her 2:10 time in the 200 Backstroke event. In order to qualify for State Championships, she said she is determined to “train hard, and focus on the little details.” For now, Hobbs hopes to attend a four year college.

 

Being the head swim coach isn’t any easier than being a swimmer, from having to upkeep the high maintenance pool to rallying students to join the swim team, Coach Phong has quite a bit on his hands.

 

Phong’s pre-meet ritual is important because he wants the swimmers to perform well. “I like to maintain a routine, get some sort of fitness in everyday. This pool keeps me on my toes constantly trying to maintain it so it stresses me out a little.”

 

Overall, Coach Phong is proud of the team’s development but said there is still more work to do. “We had a practice meet last week. Today the girls did great and I am proud of their technique improvement.”

 

Team members Alika Lew-Koga and Ashley Davis discussed the 100 meter dash they had just raced. “Our motto is ‘just sprint.’ We try and keep our sprints under 30 seconds. We heard that was good,” said Lew-Koga and Davis.

With spirits high and consistent improvement Coach Pham and the City College Women’s Swim Team are looking forward to a successful year of personal records and physical growth.