Prep swimming preview: Lightning looks for a spark

Amara Aguilar

The Sage Hill High boys and girls swim teams will not compete in a

league this season, but that doesn’t mean the Lightning squads aren’t

looking to spark a postseason run.

Instead of focusing on league standings, the Lightning will try to

improve on last year’s 0-6 records for both junior varsity teams and

focus on fielding individual qualifiers for CIF.

On the girls side, leading the way will be returning sophomore Hayden

Hutchinson, who will contribute in the 100-yard breaststroke and 100

freestyle events.

Incoming freshmen Amy Catlin (100 free, butterfly), Allison Grigonis

(100 backstroke) and Lauren Indvik (breaststroke, free) will add some

depth to the Lightning lineup.

“Although they are new to Sage Hill, they’ve all swam competitively

for club teams,” Sage Hill Coach Genai Kerr said.

Sage Hill kicked off the season with an 88-77 loss to Rancho Alamitos

last week. The Lightning competed without four swimmers. Catlin finished

first in the 100 butterfly (1:17.29) while Hutchinson took first in the

100 breaststroke (1:19.47).

The 400 free relay team of Indvik, Grigonis, Hutchinson and Catlin

took first in 4:31.09. Kerr said he expects the relay team to qualify for

CIF.

“After (our first) meet, I was very impressed with their composure and

am looking forward to seeing their times drop throughout the season,”

Kerr said.

Although the Lightning will not compete in league, they will take on

schools such as Ocean View, Tustin and Estancia.

On the boys side, key returners include junior Ron Chin (100

breaststroke) and sophomore Anthony Milovantsev (50 and 100 freestyle).

“Both of them are top competitive water polo players,” Kerr said.

“They bring a lot of the team concept to a traditionally individual

sport.”

Newcomers Peter Kim (backstroke) and Ryan Casserly (200 individual

medley) will provide some spark for the Lightning.

“They bring depth and versatility to the team,” Kerr said. “They are

very well-rounded swimmers capable of swimming in any event. Their depth

may help the team.”

The boys also lost to Rancho Alamitos, but Chin was second in the 100

breaststroke (1:12.54).

“As the season progresses, not only will the boys become faster and

stronger, but also gel as a team and encourage each other to improve and

do whatever it takes to win,” Kerr said.

The girls and boys squads next compete on the road Wednesday against

Tustin and Costa Mesa at 3 p.m.

Sage Hill girls swimming roster

Kira Neal Fr.

Amy Catlin Fr.

Devin Tooma Fr.

Allison Grigonis Fr.

Alexa Holland Fr.

Lauren Indvik Fr.

Aumna Iqbal Fr.

Audrey Kim Fr.

Brittany Levine Fr.

Megan Curry So.

Nikii Sollberger So.

Hayden Hutchinson So.

Sarah Cowan Jr.

Gedni Barclay Fr.

Coach: Genai Kerr

Sage Hill boys swimming roster

Peter Kim Fr.

Anthony Kinaly Fr.

Ryan Casserly Fr.

Jeff Weyhrauch Fr.

Anthony Milovantsev So.

Jonathan Ruffalo So.

Eric Loss So.

Tyler Youngblood So.

Ryan Bozarth So.

Ron Chin Jr.

Jon Silverberg Jr.

Coach: Genai Kerr