Pitman and Turlock High’s varsity girls swim teams are past the halfway mark in league dual meets and heading into the final two meets, they both stand with a 3-1 record and are expecting a final push to place them atop the Central California Conference standings when the season concludes.
“So far, we’ve been doing really well,” said Turlock head coach Anne Cornell. “We had improvements from various kids throughout the season and some have stood out really well and surprises as well since their times continue to fall.”
“Overall, we’ve had a little slow start but for the most part we’ve been solid and beat Buhach which was great,” said Pitman head coach Erica Crain. “A lot of them are swimming fast, which is always a good thing.”
Pitman has a youthful squad, with just a single senior in Leah Trainor (200 free and 100 back) who is one of the staples on the squad along with Maddy Ngo (200 and 100 free), Gabrielle Sotomayor (100 back and fly) and Joelle Lok (500 free and diving).
“We have a total of 15 swimmers for the girls, pulled up two freshmen and made up of juniors and sophomores,” said Crain. “Maddy Ngo, my freshman, has been doing really well and all just up there. They are loving it and getting along and are here every day and work hard, all I can ask for.”
Ngo also qualified for Sections in both her events.
The Turlock squad has a plethora of swimmers from all ages.
Leading the way is senior Lindsey Amos (100 fly and back) along with junior Izzy Romeo (200 free and 100 fly) and freshman standout Sierra Yandell (200 IM and 100 breast) who has already made her mark as the future of the ‘Dogs.
“We have some young standouts like Sierra, year-round competitive swimmer and had good surprises and good times,” said Cornell. “Times for many of the girls continue to fall, which is great, looking at the girls, they have more to give to us as the season carries on.”
The girls placed second at Nor Cals back on March 17 and second in the Ripon Invitational on March 24.
For divers, Turlock has one returning varsity diver in Danielle Dessayer and two upcoming juniors —Natalie Strode and Rachel Morris.
“I want our girls to continue to do well and improve on their times and with the improvements it puts us in a great place in league, so hopefully it’s great because we have not peaked yet,” said Cornell.
Sophomore Emmerson Stempson qualified for Sections and continues to improve said Cornell.
Pitman is still in the hunt as well and coach Crain know it will take a full team effort to achieve what they are seeking—the CCC title.
“They are looking at it like we can actually do it, so doing and talking about doing it are two different things, but they are excited with a big meet against Turlock next week, then Buhach this week,” said Crain.
Pitman will next travel to El Capitan to take on the Gauchos in their penultimate league-dual meet at 3 p.m. Friday.
Turlock will host Buhach Colony for their penultimate league dual-meet at 3 p.m. Friday.
