Swim team participates in CCS, girls’ team makes States

Swimmers warm up at the Baylor Aquatics Center at the CCS championships.

The swim team attended CIF States for the first time in four years.

The swim team cheered for their girls’ relay team during the CIF State championships at Clovis West High School, which took place May 11-13. The girls’ 200-yard medley relay team — consisting of senior Zeynep Tokuz, junior Meher Bhatnagar and freshman Kelsey Zhang and Emma Geng qualified for CIF States — and placed third. In addition, Zhang also qualified for the 100-yard butterfly, where she placed first.

“It was a great feeling,” Tokuz said. “I’m glad we were able to qualify for States, especially since Saratoga hasn’t been able to attend in four years.”

CCS was held at Hollister High School on May 5-6. The girls’ participated in all relays. Individually, Tokuz participated in the 200-yard individual medley (IM) and the 100-yard breaststroke. Zhang swam the 100-yard butterfly and the 200-yard IM.

The boys’ swim team — consisting of senior Channie Hong, senior Mark Liu, junior Jarett Singh, sophomore Yusuf Tokuz and freshman Taewon Yim and Kunal Bhatnagar — also competed in CCS.

The boys’ relay team qualified for the 200-yard medley, 200-yard free relay and the 400-yard free relay. Liu also swam at CCS for his individual events, the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle. Unfortunately, none of the boys made it to CIF States.

“Even though we didn’t make it to states, it was a really amazing and fun experience to go to CCS with my team,” Singh said. “Competing in such a large competition, I get to see my friends who swim in other leagues and clubs.”

Despite the boys’ team not making it to CIF States, the swim team had a significantly better season than last year, with the girls’ ending with a 2-4 record and the boys’ a 1-5 record in the De Anza league. Last year, both teams placed last. This year, with the addition of talented new freshmen, the swim team was more competitive.

“I’ve always liked the swim team,” Tokuz said. “Everyone put in the effort this season and we all had a great bond.”