Prep swimming: Poway High, Rancho Bernardo ready to collide in pool
By Michael Bower
The end of a storybook high school career is near for Rancho Bernardo High swimmer Trent Williams, the defending CIF San Diego Section champion in the 100-yard freestyle and 200 free.
The University of California Berkeley-bound senior has conquered the prep level and could very well end up in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The opportunity to see the star compete before he reaches the pinnacle of swimming is a must.
“As far as Rancho Bernardo High School swimming history, he is the best swimmer to come out of this school,” longtime Broncos swim coach Tim Oelgoetz said. “He owns six of the eight school records (50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 200 IM, 100 breaststroke and 100 backstroke).”
Williams, who qualified for the upcoming Olympic Trials in the 200 free, will be in action along with the rest of the Broncos’ girls and boys, when they travel to Poway Tuesday for a 3:30 p.m. Palomar League dual meet.
The Titans, through Monday, are 1-1 in league on the boys side. Poway senior Steven Froncvak is the top sprinter for the Titans, while junior Greg Jelsma is strong in the 200 free. Senior Charles Collins is one to watch for Poway in the 500 free.
“I am happy with what I have seen out of the team so far this year,” Poway swim coach Chad Aronen said. “I am excited to see how much faster these kids will get as the season starts coming to a close.”
Also strong for the Broncos are sophomores Liam Semple and Tanner Williams. Semple excels in the 200 and 500 free events, while Williams is strong in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly.
The girls team for Poway and Rancho Bernardo will also square off. The Titans’ top swimmers include Carly Wasung, Alexa Pepin, Summer Artaud, Laura Schwab and Daylen Begelsmith.
Laura Schwab, Anna Schwab, Pepin and Wasung swim the 200 and 400 free relays. They have given themselves the nickname of USSPW, an acronym made up of the first letters of their last names.
“They like to throw that ‘U’ at the beginning so it sounds like a ship,” Aronen said.
Wasung should challenge for the league title in the 50 and 100 free events, while Pepin is always strong in those two events.
The Broncos’ top girls swimmer is Riley Spitser. The senior captured the CIF SDS crown in the 500 free last year and finished second place in the 200 free. She will be taking her talents to San Jose State in the fall.
“She was a very heavy recruit for them,” Oelgoetz said. “We are looking for her to win the CIF title in the 500 and 200.”