Prep Swimming: Nighthawks boys, girls looking for third straight title

There is a new buzz around high school swimming pools this season with the first year of there being a state championship.

But before the qualifying begins for state, schools are trying to lock down league titles.

The Del Norte boys and girls are in the midst of trying to do that. Both teams enter Friday’s Avocado East League meet against San Marcos at Del Norte at 4 p.m. undefeated.

The Nighthawks, whose girls and boys won the Valley League title the last two seasons, are hoping to get in prime position to win the Avocado East League in their first year competing in it.

The regular season record accounts for half of the overall standings and the league championship meet accounts for the other half. The Avocado East League prelims are slated for Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Del Norte. The finals will be on May 9 at 10:30 a.m.

The Nighthawks’ boys team has been shattering school records this season. Sophomore Austin Nguyen has set school records in the 200-yard individual medley (1 minute, 56.60 seconds), 100 breaststroke (58.52) and the 100 backstroke (55.13).

He is expected to swim the 200 medley and the 100 breaststroke at the league championships.

“I think he is definitely capable of placing in the top three in the section in those events,” Del Norte boys swim coach Andy Avila said. “He challenges himself with every meet and is definitely one of the top kids in both events.”

Also shining for the boys is freshman Dorian Humbert. The 200 medley and 100 breaststroke swimmer should challenge for a top-three spot in the league championships.

He has set the school record in the 100 freestyle (48.38) and the 50 free (21.65) this year.

“His stroke mechanics are top notch,” Avila said. “And he just has phenomenal turn.”

Junior Liam McCallum should challenge for a league title in the 50 and 100 free, while senior Christian Leon has the ability to finish in the top three in league of those events.

Freshmen Jacob Sauter and Blake Wixom could also make some noise in the 200 and 500 freestyles at the league championships.

“Our team is stepping up and we are trying to be competitive,” Avila said. “I think we can be in the top three or four in Division II this year.”

The girls are also near the top of Division II. They are led by seniors Sydney Schuette and Allie Carter.

Schuette, who finished in third place in the 100 free and fifth in the 100 backstroke in the Division II section championships last year, is in her sixth week back since being out after jaw surgery.

“Her times have continued to get faster and faster since she has been back,” Nighthawks girls coach Gary Rossi said. “I think by Friday and the league championships she should be close to back where she was for CIF last season.”

Carter is also coming back from a surgery and continues to watch her times drop. She took fifth in the 200 medley and fourth in the 100 butterfly at the Division II championship last year.

Both Carter and Schuette are the favorites in their respective events at the league championships.

Evelyn Luu, a sophomore, should challenge for a league title in the 100 breaststroke. Freshmen Bailey Deck and Dagmara Czajka will challenge in the 50 free and 100 free, respectively.

The Nighthawks also boast one of the top 200 medley relay teams in Division II. The team, consisting of Emily Nguyen, Luu, Carter and Schuette, placed second at the section championships last year. They are the favorites to win the Avocado East title.

Del Norte’s 400 freestyle relay team (Hannah Kredich, Nguyen, Carter and Schuette) should also compete for a league title.

“So far we have been outstanding,” Rossi said of his team.