Girls swimming: Sea Kings come up big

Steve Virgen

CORONA DEL MAR - Big-time showdowns usually give way to big-time

finishes and the Corona del Mar High girls swim team did not shy from

providing the dramatics Wednesday, in the Sea Kings’ huge Pacific Coast

League meet against visiting University.

The meet’s winner was decided in the final event, which turned out to

be the 100-yard breaststroke, as CdM held a one-point advantage. While

their teammates cheered them on, sophomore Jackie McCoy finished first

and sophomore Nikola “Niki” Hendrickson came in second, giving the Sea

Kings an 86.5-83.5 victory to remain undefeated in league and dealt the

Trojans their first PCL loss.

“That’s what it’s all about,” CdM Coach Doug Volding said. “I jumped

as high as I’ve jumped in a long time. I know a lot of people are

surprised to think I could get that high off the ground. I’m very proud

of the girls.”

The meet would have ended with the 400 freestyle relay, but an unfair

start in the 100 breaststroke resulted in the event being done over.

The loud cheers from the teammates and fans prompted the official to

stop the race. McCoy had the lead after 75 yards and she was tapped in

the head by her sister, Kristin, who was outside of the pool. Kristin

McCoy did not compete because of illness.

“I was tired because I swam three events before that,” said Jackie

McCoy, who also competed in the 50 free and the 200 medley and 200 free

relays. “I swam the 75 and had to stop, that just made me even more

nervous. But, now I think we have a really good chance of winning league

this year. We have a really strong team.”

Hendrickson’s second-place swim in that final event came moments after

she contributed in the third-place finish in the 400 free relay.

“That was the highlight of many highlights in today’s meet,” Volding

said of Hendrickson’s feats, which also included second place in the 100

butterfly (1:04.25). “I liked the spirit I saw in the girls. But, we have

to do it again. If (the Trojans) come back and beat us in the league

meet, they’ll win it all. But, this is a nice emotional lift.”

CdM (7-1, 4-0 in league) claimed revenge from last year when the PCL

finals were decided by the last relay and Uni (3-1, 2-1) won. Sea Kings’

senior Lauren Powers, freshman Vivian Liao and freshman Kimberly McKay

also earned first-place finishes. Powers won the 100 butterfly (1:03.19),

Liao took the 50 free (25.62) and McKay swam to victory in the 500 free

(5:29.56).

The trio, along with junior Heather Hapeman, picked up another

first-place finish with a 1:25.77 in the 200 free relay.

Corona will host the PCL meet as the preliminaries are scheduled for

May 2 and the finals slated for May 4. The Sea Kings’ victory assuredly

gives them the advantage before the finals, though the Trojans can still

earn the title.

The PCL dual league meet champ is awarded six points and the runner-up

earns five. The PCL final meet awards seven points to the winner and five

to the runner-up.