Out with a splash

PHOTO BY FIONA CORNER

Senior swimmers (left to right) Eric Khazoyan, Noah Boring, Kira McGieson, Kaitlin Smith and Rachel Wolf. Not pictured Steven Carreno.

BY CIERRA HIGGINS Staff Writer

The Pioneer swim team travelled to Federal Way, Wash. to finish up their 2011-2012 season at the Northwest Conference championships, where the team broke records and gave solid performances.

The women placed sixth overall, while the men finished in eighth place.

“I think we did really well, considering that we don’t have the numbers. We’re not a big team, but everyone works hard,” said Noah Callaghan (’15).

Highlight performances from the wom- en include a fourth place finish in the 200 Butterfly from Monica Castro (’15) and a sixth place finish in the 200 Backstroke from Taylor Coiner (’14). Other notable perfoRmances came from Kayla Ernewein (’13), who placed fifth in the 100 Freestyle, and Katy Yeh (’14), who finished sixth in the 200 Breaststroke. The women’s 400 Freestyle team, consisting of members Hannah Frank (’13), Kira McGieson (’12), Ernewein and Coiner, placed fourth.

The men’s team also had solid performances, with Trevor Schapiro (’15) placing sixth in the 1650 Freestyle. River Poze (’15) finished 14th in the 200 Backstroke and Evan Damon (’13) placed 13th in the 200 Breaststroke. Callaghan swam the 100 Freestyle, placing tenth. The men’s 400 Freestyle placed eighth, consisting of team members Noah Boring (’12), Steven Carreno (’12), Shapiro and Callaghan.

The NWC championships had both negative and positive aspects compared to the other meets.

“The reason why NWC was better than other meets is also the reason why it was the worst. It was a long meet that took place over three days, but that’s also why it’s bet- ter, because all the teams in the conference were there and everyone was swimming their best,” said Callaghan.

Callaghan broke a record for the Pioneers, as he swam the fastest 200 Backstroke since the record was set in 1978.

“I’m ecstatic. That was certainly one of our biggest high points of the entire weekend,” said Coach Chris Fantz.

Besides Callaghan, there were many other team members who impressed the coaches.

“I think most of them went above and beyond. I think Evan Damon probably surprised us. He didn’t exceed expectation, because we expected a lot from him, but he just blew his times out of the water,” said Fantz.

Fantz is optimistic about the future of Pioneer swimming and hopes that team mem- bers keep up their enthusiasm for the sport.

“I think really what we are looking for is people maintaining this level of excitement so that they keep that big-picture view and keep in perspective what they want to accomplish this time next year.”