This past Saturday, West Covina coed swim team attended the Ontario Jag Invitational, an event for high school swimmers in different divisions to race one another. They competed against schools such as South Hills, Upland, Chaffey, and Chino Hills. The Bulldogs battled the rainy weather conditions to place fifth overall as a team.   

These athletes perform differently based on temperature and weather changes with swimming at different speeds. Swimming in the rain causes these athletes to slow down, whereas in the sun they go at a comfortable, faster pace.

Head Coach Alec Vincent Rivera shared the negative impacts the cold weather has on some swimmers’ performance. 

“An example is when we experienced technical difficulties and it forced the swimmers to stand behind the starting block cold and shivering for 5 plus minutes before their race. It is hard to lock in with these factors,” said Rivera. 

Rivera spoke on the team’s result at the Ontario JAG Invite this weekend, despite the setbacks of rainy weather. 

“We had a lot of swimmers try out new events and I was pleased with the times that they were hitting. There were also a handful of personal bests which is always a plus at any swim meet,” said Rivera.

With league approaching, Rivera is confident that the team will succeed as results will progressively show. 

200 Medley- 3rd Place

Andrea Salazar (Varsity)

Kassidy Ly (Varsity)

Salma Valle (Varsity)

Victoria Tu(Varsity)

200 Medley- 3rd Place

Hillary Alvizo (JV)

Julissa Fernandez (JV)

Marissa Lemus (JV)

Yesenia Munoz (JV)

100 IM- 3rd Place 

Marisa Lemus (JV)

200 Free Relay- 3rd Place

Salma Valle (Varsity)

Madison Vasquez (Varsity)

Victoria Tu (Varsity)

Andrea Salazar (Varsity). 

Kassidy Ly shared how rewarding it feels placing overall and competing against higher divisions. Ly reflects on her performance and ways to improve. 

“I feel like we all need to dedicate more practice time to our individual strokes to keep up our stamina and improve our technique,” said Ly. 

Victoria Tu shared how she felt on the team’s performance based on the weather that challenged the swimmers. 

“Although we could have all swam much better, but moods were low because of how cold and gloomy the weather was,” said Tu. 

Athletes have been facing harsh weather conditions since the beginning of their season. 

Junior Caeden Rigby has been a part of the WCHS swim team for one year and gave us an insight of his perspectives with training with cold weather conditions.

“I think it affects my motivation less because the dark gloomy sky makes you tired and just want to go home and sleep. Not wanting to do anything else,” said Rigby.

Furthermore, Rigby details how training looks in cooler conditions compared to warmer conditions, stating the amount of effort put into training differs based on the climate change. 

“Depending on the set, sometimes we have to get out and dive and if it’s raining it makes all the swimmers cold and not really want to put in max effort that they would be capable of if it was nice and sunny,” said Rigby.

Junior Victoria Tu has been a part of the aquatics program for one year. Tu has experienced all types of weather conditions being in water polo as well, she elaborates on the training aspect of facing these critical situations. 

“Getting through the set, especially mid-season when the set gets harder, it’s hard to keep going when you feel unmotivated,” said Tu.

Tu compared the differences in motivation due to the weather change stating how difficult it is to adjust in such a short time frame. 

Facing different weather conditions challenges the swimmers not only physically but mentally as well. Despite adjusting to these weather changes, WCHS swimmers continue training every day. 

Their next swim meet will be at Covina High School on March 15 as the rain will face them once again.