Abbreviated swim season starts today

CLOVIS — The Clovis High girls swimming team is the two-time defending District 3/4 champion and placed third both years in the state meet.

So what can the Lady Wildcats do for an encore?

Despite graduating just four seniors, CHS co-coach Gordy Westerberg said they have their work cut out.

“We’re pretty young this year,” he said. “We only have one senior and one junior, and a couple of sophomores. The bulk of the team (consists of) eighth- and ninth-graders.”

Westerberg shares coaching duties with longtime coach Vincent deMaio, who started the school’s program in 2004.

The Lady Cats and Wildcats open the season today with a dual meet at Lovington. The abbreviated campaign includes five regular-season meets before state competition on May 13 (girls) and 15 (boys) at Albuquerque Academy.

Among the top performers for the girls, Westerberg said, are sophomores Shyann Kissinger (200 and 500 freestyle) and Chloe Lee (50 and 100 freestyles); freshmen Jakoda Culley (200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke) and Kiara Morgan (100, 200 and 500 freestyles), and eighth-graders Julia Spears (500 freestyle) and Brynn Longley (100 backstroke, 500 freestyle).

Westerberg, who is in his third year at CHS, has previously coached swimming at Rio Grande and West Mesa and has more than 30 years coaching experience at the club level.

He thinks the Lady Cats can qualify from six to eight swimmers for state competition.

“I think (Kissinger) has a great chance to challenge for a state championship in the 500,” said Westerberg.

He said a top-five team finish would be a successful campaign.

“With how young we are, I’d be very thrilled with that,” Westerberg said.

The boys team is also young. The Cats were 24th in last year’s state meet.

“The boys team is really coming around,” Westerberg said. “Our relays are going to be significantly better state-wide than last year.

“My goal for them is top 10 at state. I think we’re going to qualify four (swimmers for state), but my goal is six.”

Among the boys’ top candidates are senior William Longhenry (200 and 500 freestyle), sophomore Thomas Pella (100 backstroke, 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle) and freshmen Porter Kidd (200 and 500 freestyle) and David Reeb (100 butterfly).

Clovis teams will have a home meet this spring, hosting a quad with Hobbs, Sandia Prep and Hope Christian scheduled for 3 p.m. on April 27 at Clovis Aquatic Center.