Tradition can’t stop Sailors against Laguna Hills

LAGUNA HILLS ? Halfway into Wednesday’s Sea View League swim meet between Newport Harbor and Laguna Hills, the host Hawks continued a tradition going back 14 years.

In the final home meet of 1992, Hawks’ senior Chad Carvin ? who later became a member of the 2000 Olympic swim team ? decided to swim the breaststroke during the 500-yard freestyle.

Since that day, in the final home meet of the season, Laguna Hills seniors have followed in Carvin’s strokes, swimming breaststroke in the 500 freestyle. The tradition cost the Hawks points as both Sailors’ teams swept the top three spots.

Newport Harbor didn’t need the help, having secured the meet already. The girls won, 108-59, and the boys, who won every event for the first time this season, won, 130-39.

It was one Laguna Hills swimmer who needed some help, which Newport Harbor senior Leah Robertson was happy to provide. Hawks senior Sara Henry was struggling with swimming the breaststroke for 500 yards and took a break before starting the final leg. As she stopped, Robertson was there with a bottle of Gatorade.

Having competed against each other in swimming and water polo for four years in school and club, the two have become friends.

“She asked me to,” Robertson said. “I told her I’d cheer her on. It was a long race so I was prepared.”

Robertson, making her way back from back spasms that have kept her out of all but two practices the previous two weeks, won the 100 free and was part of the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays.

“It’s not my best,” she said. “But I’ll be ready for the league meet.”

Newport Harbor girls’ Coach Ken LaMont said his team appeared rusty after a three-week layoff from competition.

“It’s been kind of odd; it seemed longer than it was,” LaMont said of the break. “We had trouble getting up for this. It was good to compete, but I almost wish we had another one.”

Both teams feel confident in defending their league titles.

“We’re trying to fine tune some things,” boys’ Coach Jason Lynch said. “We peaked to win in league last year and I see the same thing happening this year.”