Underclassmen step up for small varsity team

Head Coach: Christian Bonner

2016-2017 record: Girls: 2-5 Boys: 0-7

2016-2017 recap: 10th in CCS Women 200-Yard Medley Relay

Key Additions: Freshmen Lukas Peng, Brandon Fung, Taesu Yim, Tomaso Morini Bianzino, Neeya Devanagondi

Key Matchups: Homestead, Palo Alto, Los Gatos

Star Players: Sophomore Oscar Khowong, juniors Andrew Gao and Daniel Bessonov, senior Jeanette Khowong

Key Losses (2017 alumni): Anthony Barthell, David Nguyen, Stephanie Ting, Anna Zhou

League: De Anza Division

Prognosis:

This season marks the second year in the difficult De Anza division. The team will be relying upon younger swimmers to take up the helm due to loss of talent to graduation.

“Last year, we lost strong swimmers like David Nguyen and Anthony Barthell who really carried us to CCS,” senior Bradley Oh said. “I think this season is going to be tough.”

In order to get the team up to speed, practices have consisted of drills concerning speed and stroke techniques. The team hopes to improve from their current state by emphasizing stamina through constant laps and breathing exercises, according to Oh.

The team’s first meet is on March 2 at Monta Vista High.