Boys swimming: Estancia gets fresh blood

Joseph Boo

COSTA MESA - When tryouts for Estancia High’s boys swim team were

held earlier this year, nine freshmen showed up. That excited Eagles

Coach John Carpenter.

“That’s the most freshmen coming out for swimming in the last 10 years,”

he said.

Carpenter is hoping those incoming Eagles form the basis of a solid swim

program. It also means that Estancia will be able to fill every lane

during meets, giving them a competitive squad.

The most exciting Estancia freshman is Frank Gamboa, who already has

experience in swimming competitions. He will start in freestyle events

and eventually partake in all the strokes.

“Gamboa already has quite a few years of swimming experience,” Carpenter

said. “He’ll fit right in with varsity competition.”

But Estancia’s season hopes primarily rest on returning seniors David

Collier and Brett Hellmich.

Hellmich finished 13th in the Pacific Coast League in the 100-yard

backstroke. Carpenter believes Collier should finish in the league’s top

16 in the 500 freestyle. Senior Mike Firner is the Eagles’ sprint

freestyle swimmer.

“Our goal is for everyone to improve on last year’s individual times,’

Carpenter said.

Junior Jon Reddoch is a freestyle swimmer while fellow junior Phil

Westfall is the Eagles’ individual medley and butterfly swimmer.

Sophomores K.G. Fairbarn, David Teixeira, Vu Tran and Cliff Glacy have

impressed Carpenter so far. Tran is one of the Eagles’ top freestyle

swimmer. Teixeira swims the butterfly and freestyle. Fairbarn and Glacy

are Estancia’s two breaststroke swimmers. Freshman Jeff Hellmich also

made Estancia’s varsity squad.

With 24 swimmers, Estancia was able to field both varsity and junior

varsity teams, the first time it did that in two years. And that has the

Eagles optimistic about their future in the pool.

Roster

David Collier Sr.

K.G. Fairbarn So.

Mike Firner Sr.

Frank Gamboa Fr.

Cliff Glacy So.

Brett Hellmich Sr.

Jeff Hellmich Fr.

Jon Reddoch Jr.

David Teixeira So.

Vu Tran So.

Phil Westfall Jr.

Coach: John Carpenter