Sea Kings ready for breakthrough

Bryce Alderton

Overflowing enthusiasm swirled in Doug Volding’s voice when

discussing this year’s Corona del Mar High girls swim team.

The veteran coach, entering his 19th season at the Sea Kings helm,

believes this could be his best team in that span.

“We’re loaded and it’s going to be fun,” Volding said.

Strong words, but Volding backs them up.

Sophomore Jordan Anae and junior Kim McKay garnered Co-MVP honors

for the Sea Kings, who finished eighth at last season’s CIF Southern

Section Division II finals. Anae swam to a personal-best in the

100-yard freestyle (54.20) and 100 backstroke (59.03), the latter

earning All-American consideration. Seniors Brittney Bowlus,

Christina Hewko and Jackie McCoy return, along with Danielle Carlson,

Daniela DiGiacomo, Jessica Harkins, Niki Hendrickson and Kelli Kline.

Returning juniors include Katya Eadington, Tracy Kubas, Vivian

Liao, McKay, Flo Rodenhuis and Natalie Wayte.

Anae heads the sophomore returning class that also features

Brittany Fullen and Lauren McAdams.

McKay finished eighth in the 200 free, clocking a personal-best

1:58.63 at last season’s CIF finals in addition to a 5:19.50 mark in

the 500 free.

Bowlus went 25.56 in the 500 free for seventh place and was 15th

in the 100 free (55.99) at the CIF finals.

Also at the CIF meet, Hewko swam a personal-best 25.30 for 11th

place in the 50 free and Liao came in 13th in the 50 free (25.57) and

11th in the 100 free (56.06).

Anae, McKay, Liao and Bowlus earned All-American consideration in

the 200 free relay (1:42.07), good for fifth at CIF finals. The same

quartet was seventh place in the 400 free relay (3:42.62).

Junior Amy Strack, along with sophomores Amy Catlin, Katlin Kubas,

Katie Lemmerman, Bree Schuman and Ann Winners, are varsity prospects,

according to Volding, as are freshmen Tumua Anae, Kathryn Bilder,

Ashley Chandler, Brianna Galloway, Camille Hewko, Alyssa Jones,

Justine Primavera, Alexine Rodenhuis, Ali Shue, Erika Yamashita and

Amy Zucker.

With a wealth of water polo players making the transition into

swimming this spring, Volding said the swimmers come in already in

shape.

“You have to convert their strokes quicker, but it’s nice having

them working out,” he said.

One of the team’s strengths is that many swimmers can compete in

multiple events, Volding said.

He will use the preseason, which begins Thursday at home against

Edison, to assess swimmers’ abilities and what events they are strong

in.

“Throughout the season, people will move all over the place in

preparation for the March 26 Pacific Coast League dual meet against

University,” said Volding, who expects CdM to battle with the

Trojans, as well as Northwood, for league supremacy.

University defeated CdM last season, en route to the title.

Swimmers feed into the Irvine area schools, with many competing

for club teams Irvine Novaquatics and Aquazots, Volding said.

“If you crank those kilometers out, the techniques will come and

that’s what you have to have at the CIF level,” he said. “We were one

body short, but we might have patched that hole up.”

Ann Kittleson, who teaches English at CdM and coaches the junior

varsity team, will assist Volding on the deck. Kittleson returns this

season after giving birth to a baby boy, Jake.

“Little Jake will be on the pool deck,” Volding said. “I look

forward to this, working with all the people.”