Finger is no factor

Six weeks ago, Corona del Mar High junior Ashley Chandler broke her

finger ice skating, and was not able to finish out a water polo

season in which the Sea Kings won a fourth consecutive CIF Southern

Section championship.

Now, she is making up for it in the swim season.

The 50-yard freestyle and 100 free sprinting expert broke a school

record in one of her first meets back, with two fingers taped

together, and still in recovery.

A 1983 CdM school record in the 50 free set by Michelle Bird fell

March 23, as Chandler swam a personal best 24.27 seconds in a Pacific

Coast League dual meet with Northwood.

As described by CdM water polo coach Aaron Chaney as the fastest

swimmer on the water polo team, Chandler was on the sidelines during

the entire postseason, with three pins in her right pinkie finger.

“It was really devastating that I couldn’t participate [in the

water polo playoffs],” said Chandler, who watched every game as the

Sea Kings won a Division II championship last month.

CdM has won the last three Division II girls water polo

championships since moving from Division IV, where they also claimed

the top prize in 2002.

“I guess I look at it as a blessing in disguise, because it made

me realize how much I love the sport.”

Chandler may love water polo, but swimming was her first love. She

started out swimming and eventually made her way into water polo a

few years ago.

But this swimming season, Chandler is going back to her roots.

In addition to the 50 free school record, she anchored a 200

medley relay team at the CIF relays at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach

Saturday that bettered another school best.

The team of Jordan Anae, Stephanie Gabert, Danielle Lavery and

Chandler clocked in at 50.18 for first, shaving .17 off the previous

school record.

Chandler also swam on the 200 backstroke relay team and in the 400

free at the same meet, both of which finished third for the Sea

Kings.

The sprinter was first in the 100 free in the Northwood meet as

well.

“She’s our primary sprinter,” CdM swimming coach Doug Volding

said. “She’s one of about six girls that are absolutely vital to the

team. In any big meet, she can be moved around depending on which

event we need her to do.”

Volding said Chandler is still not at 100%, and could still drop

her times considerably.

From the beginning of the season until now, Chandler has been

swimming injured for the sake of the team, Volding said.

And when she is completely healed, she will continue to swim for

the team and not the individual acclaim, he said.

“Her character represents the team aspect,” Volding said. “I know

she didn’t think she’d be starting this soon with her finger, but she

did it for the team.”