Boys and Girls Swim Preview: There’s Room For “I” at Mesa

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Believe it or not, it’s OK to be an individual on the

Costa Mesa High boys and girls swim teams. First-year co-coaches, Kathie

LeCours and Kim Aceves, have actually geared their goals in regards to

the “I” concept.

Aceves, who coached for the Green Valley swim team in Fountain Valley,

the Golden West swim club in Huntington Beach and worked as an assistant

at Fountain Valley High before arriving at Mesa, believes the idea of

focusing on each swimmer will pay off for the future of the program.

“I know the swimmers want to win overall,” Aceves said. “But, I think

individually they need to improve, also.”

Said LeCours, “It’s great that we’re winning, but we want the girls to

get better times for themselves. The goal is to give (the boys) what they

need to do to get their individual bests.”

The Mustangs’ individualism has developed successful team results for

the Mesa girls squad. The Mustangs have won their first three dual meets,

while maintaining improvements in each swimmer.

Seniors Erin Bayes, Wendy and Jody Martinovich and Frances Assal, who

also played water polo, are leading the charge in Mesa’s hot start this

season.

Bayes, who earned first-team Pacific Coast League honors in water

polo, specializes in the 50-yard freestyle, 100 freestyle and the 200

medley and 50 relays.

The Martinovich twins, who made the PCL second team in water polo,

also earn points in many events.

In an 86-84 victory over Tustin last week, Jody Martinovich grabbed

first in the 200 individual medley race (2:20.75) and 500 freestyle

(5:36.67). Wendy won first place in the 100 breaststroke (1:13.68) and

finished just behind Jody in the 200IM (2:27.07). They also teamed with

Bayes and junior Sarah Douglas to win the 200 medley relay (2:03.76).

Most of the girls who played on the water polo team make up this

season’s swimming roster, which is important for LeCours who coached the

girls water polo squad.

The winter season gave the girls and LeCours a head start, so to

speak, for the swimming season.

Mesa junior Shirley Peng has benefited from playing water polo. She

teamed with the Martinovich twins and Bayes to win the 50 freestyle relay

(1:49.72) against Tustin.

Mesa’s “I” strategy has also been key for the boys team. Since there

are just nine swimmers on the varsity squad, team wins and losses are of

minimal importance.

Senior Mike Whitman headlines the small team. His tireless work ethic

has been an inspiration for the boys and the girls, LeCours said.

“He enjoys pushing himself,” LeCours said of Whitman. “He doesn’t do

the minimum required. He definitely goes above and beyond. He’s extremely

good friends with the Martinovich sisters and Bayes. They all push each

other in the practices.”

LeCours also said she was excited to compete in the relays for the

boys’ competition.

Juniors Kevin Neppl, Chasen Marshall and Steven Thomas, sophomore

Steven Reyes and freshmen Brian Tipton, Tim Tran, Dave Barnett and

Jovanni Garcia supply the athleticism for relays and have been able to

improve as well.

“We’re looking forward to this season that’s for sure,” said LeCours

who graduated from Costa Mesa. “It’s nice to work as a team and work as

individuals, also.”

COSTA MESA GIRLS SWIMMING

Sarah Douglas Jr.

Frances Assal Sr.

Erin Bayes Sr.

Jody Martinovich Sr.

Wendy Martinovich Sr.

Kathryn Axton Jr.

Ashley Wright Jr.

Candice Carpenter Jr.

Dana Steenhard Sr.

Megan Devey Jr.

Allison Gravis So.

Anna Kile Fr.

Gena Paulhus Fr.

Shirley Peng Jr.

Celinda Sandoval So.

Zineta Pepic Fr.

Jessica Steenhard Fr.

Katie Thorsness So.

Quyen Nguyen Fr.

Veronica Lepper So.

Tiffany Ness Fr.

Jacklyn Adams So.

Perla Marroquim So.

Liz Case So.

Lacey Navrrette So.

Audrey Sanford So.

COSTA MESA BOYS SWIMMING

Mike Whitman Sr.

Kevin Neppl Jr.

Chasen Marshall Jr.

Brian Tipton Fr.

Tim Tran Fr.

Steven Reyes So.

Steven Thomas Jr.

Dave Barnett Fr.

Jovanni Garcia Fr.

Co-Coaches: Katie LeCours and Kim Aceves