The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach is sponsored by the Aquatic Capital of America Foundation.
The Wilson Bruins are looking for a three-peat Moore League championship this season, but they’ve got a new coach and their work cut out for them with the rest of the league nipping at their heels.
WILSON
Wilson Athletics Hall of Famer Kristin Barth Kredell is the new head coach of the girls’ swim program, and she’s thrilled about the early season results from her Bruins.
Barth Kredell, who is taking over for 29-year coach Maggi Twinem, is returning to her alma mater and deepening her influence on the local swim community. She runs the swim program at Shore Aquatics, working alongside her husband, former Olympian Chi Kredell, who oversees the water polo program.
“We always have the same goal at Wilson— fast swimming, good sportsmanship, fun and positive mental attitude,” said Barth Kredell. “We’re looking forward to an amazing 2024 swim season. The girls have been working hard and it will show when we get on the block.”
Obviously all eyes will be on senior Sammie Hamilton who made history last season. She took first place in the league 200-yard freestyle, 500 freestyle and was the anchor in Wilson’s first place finishes in the 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay. Her 200 free time was a league record as was the 500 free time, and she earned high school All-American honors and a Junior Nationals invite in both events.
Co-captains Paige Jorgensen and Vanessa Newton will be leading an experienced group of Bruins including juniors Kathrine O’Dea, Kaylee Bloeser, Adrianna Alfonso and Olivia Garcia.
“They are all so versatile I’m fortunate to be able to put them anywhere the team needs them,” said Barth Kredell.
Senior transfer Pippa Heaver and junior transfer CC Deluca are also huge additions for Wilson alongside freshmen Kiana Asplin, Frankie Garcia and Gabby Castro.
LONG BEACH POLY
The Long Beach Poly girls’ swim team is off to an undefeated start to the season that includes the program’s first-ever win over Los Al, according to longtime head coach Kalani Caldwell. The Jackrabbits have had a ton of success under Caldwell, but have been Moore League runner-ups the last two years, as Wilson has reclaimed the girls’ aquatic throne in the city.
Caldwell isn’t the “big prediction” type but is optimistic about her team’s start to the season.
“We’re super excited about the start and one of our divers qualified for CIF, plus two of our girls qualified with CIF consideration times,” said Caldwell. “The girls feel really good about (the Los Al win).”
Asked about her team’s chances of beating Wilson, Caldwell said, “I think it’ll be a battle, it’s going to be strategic on who puts who in what for sure.”
The Jackrabbits will be led this year by senior Sofia Brys, who is considering NCAA scholarship offers for next season, as well as Belle Puckett, the two Jackrabbits who have already posted CIF-SS qualifying times. Brys is a 200 IM/100 fly/100 breast swimmer while Puckett is the Jackrabbits’ distance free specialist.
Puckett is already No. 3 all-time in school history in the 500 free behind Heather Zerby, who has the longest-standing record at the school with a 5:04 posted in 1994, and current Washington State swimmer Josie Liebzeit. Caldwell expects Puckett to challenge the record, which she’s currently about six seconds behind.
The Jackrabbits have good depth this year, with junior Maya Guevara poised for a breakout season, taking over the sprints for Poly this year after the graduation of Lolo Hong. “She’s holding down the 50 and 100 and we can throw her in the 200, I’m really excited for her season,” said Caldwell.
The Jackrabbits also have a freshman with a very bright future in Phoebe Kuo, the younger sister of boys’ standout Sam Kuo. Phoebe will be in a utility role for the Poly girls this year. They’ll also have a dependable point-scorer in captain Caitlyn Kaneichi, who will swim the IM and backstroke.
“She’s one of those people you just need to have on your team, she’s always competitive and in the mix,” said Caldwell. “She’s going to score points at any meet.”
Kaneichi and Brys will be Poly’s captains this year, and Caldwell is also excited at the prospect of having a pair of divers, with Michigan commit junior Fiona Lobedecis and her younger sister, freshman Lorealle Lobedecis.
“It’s always fun to have divers involved,” said Caldwell.
MILLIKAN
A quality group of relay and individual CIF qualifiers last year has the Rams very excited for more growth. They’ve specifically targeted records on the school record board as goals to achieve this season.
Junior Kyle Montiel and seniors Simone Mack and Devon Fletcher are the top swimmers coming back to make that happen. They were all part of the relay team that made CIF last year, and Montiel already has two CIF qualifying times this season. She won the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke at the league meet last year.
Coach Mike Carrillo is also very excited about freshman Sienna Ramirez and Karina Ruiz. Ramirez will be best in the breaststroke and Ruiz will be best in the backstroke.
“I think Moore League prelims and finals will be our most important meet,” said Carrillo. “We have some time until we get there, which gives us an opportunity to push ourselves now so we can get ready.”
LAKEWOOD
The Lancers are trying to replace a great senior class with even higher expectations as coach Deb Caine takes over the girls’ team full time after helping both teams. However, she’s maintaining the same desired end game.
“We are a very close team, who work extremely hard, have a lot of fun, and improve every day,” said Caine. “Our team philosophy is not about the wins and losses in swim meets, it is about going into every meet with the mindset that you will give it your best and try to improve on your best time.”
Seniors Leilani Sanchez, Marley Isaacson, and Kamryn Hastings will be the Lancers team-selected captains because of their dedication and work ethic. They’ll also be key pieces to the relay teams that Caine thinks can qualify for the Division 3 meet.
Sanchez was a Moore League finalist last year and is going to be concentrating on the 100 backstroke while also swimming the 50 and 100 freestyle. Isaacson is concentrating on the 500 freestyle.
Seniors Destiny Perez Rivera and Maya Lopez are also key returners in the 100 butterfly
Junior Madalynn De La Riva is an exciting newcomer in the freestyle races, as is freshman Kaylee Cuizon in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly in which she has already earned a Division 3 time in the 100 butterfly. She will also be on all relay teams.
CABRILLO
The Jaguars are looking to make big improvements in the pool this season with more experienced returners than the program has recently had.
“We are always looking forward and trying to keep improving times to do better,” said coach Hailey Beaird. “With most of our girls being returners, the girls are expected to improve from their previous knowledge and grow to make their stroke better and times drop.”
Team captain and senior returner Vivian Alderete will lead the way for Cabrillo in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly.
The other two key returners are sophomores Valerie Salas and Flor Garibay. Salas will be in the 200 and 500 freestyle while Garibay features in the 200 IM and 500 freestyle.
Beaird thinks that freshman Roxanne Guevara could also put up some great times in the backstroke and freestyle events.
“Our most important meet is always our league meet against Jordan,” said Beaird. “To be most successful, the girls will keep practicing hard and working in their technique to drop time.”
JORDAN
There is a big junior class of experienced swimmers for the Panthers as new coach Brenden Gruneisen takes over. He was an assistant coach at his alma mater Wilson for the last three years, so he knows when a good local program needs to be ready.
“Obviously, any time you get to swim ‘under the lights’ is a big deal, so we’re very much looking forward to participating in the Klaus Barth Invitational and Moore League Finals this year,” said Gruneisen. “Both of these meets are quite a bit later on in the season so I’m very excited to see how much our swimmers improve between now and then. Our swimmers’ success at these meets will come from working hard over the course of the season, embracing the moment of swimming at big meets, and remembering to be proud of how far they’ve come.”
Juniors Jocelyn Martinez and Alessandra Moreno will serve as team captains for Gruneisen. Martinez can be a factor in all of the freestyle and backstroke events while Moreno will be in the individual medley and very strong in the breaststroke.
Nellie Arzate, Valerie Farias and Laura Hernandez are also juniors who will be versatile. Arzate is best in the backstroke, Hernandez is best in the butterfly and Farias can swim all of the freestyle events.
Sophomores Melanie Alatorre (butterfly, individual medley), Melanie Madrid (breaststroke, IM, sprint freestyle) and Paola Mejorado (backstroke, sprint freestyle) has Gruneisen excited about the future at Jordan.
