Varsity swimmers must really like what they do. It’s just March, but numerous members of the team have already ensured that their season won’t be ending anytime soon. After only three meets, freshman Alexa Chang, sophomore Catherine Kwong and senior captain Sofia Kim, along with multiple boys’ and girls’ relay teams, have qualified for the Central Coast Section (CCS) championships that will take place at the end of the season. 

The success continued during their face-off against San Mateo High School on Friday, March 15. In the final standings, girls’ varsity (2-1 record) secured first place with a score of 87 while boys’ varsity (2-1 record) tied, meeting San Mateo’s 80 points overall. 

“It was definitely one of our best meets of the season,” head coach Jonathan Dhyne said. “But most importantly it was just nice to be out here and watch the students having a good time and cheering each other on today, it was for sure good vibes.”

According to the coaches, one of the most notable moments of the meet was when Kim made the CCS cut in the 500-meter freestyle with a time of 5.27.43. In her races against San Mateo, Chang also made CCS cuts in the 500-meter freestyle and 200 individual medley. She now has four CCS cuts, having qualified for the 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle in previous meets. The boys’ varsity 400 freestyle relay team will also advance to CCS after their showing on Friday, a satisfying and worthwhile accomplishment considering that they missed the cut last season by just a few seconds. 

“I felt really good and even though we didn’t get first, when I reached the wall, everybody was cheering,” freshman Justin Chiang said, a member of the relay team. “I looked up to see the time and everybody was telling me ‘We got it, we got CCS.’”

Chiang and his relay team weren’t the only swimmers with a lot on the line. Kim wore her special racing swimsuit in preparation for her event, aware of the importance that her race held for her postseason and CCS hopes. Although she was anxious, Kim said that her teammates were able to lift her spirits when she needed them most. 

“I wasn’t expecting CCS but I was still nervous for this race but my teammates helped me,” Kim said. “They cheered me up when I was feeling super super nervous and gave me a big confidence boost which definitely helped me do well.”

Kim’s performance exemplifies that while swimming may be an individual sport, Burlingame’s strong team chemistry is also what contributes to each athlete’s progress. 

“Our team is definitely connected, everyone is friends with each other,” Chiang said. “[When they are cheering for me] in the races, it helps me go faster because everyone is watching and showing support and it gives me more confidence.”

Next up, the Panthers face Mills High School on Thursday, March 21. Going forward, swim hopes for even more CCS qualifications and memorable moments as a team. 

“[The season] so far has been an uphill trend, and I hope that uphill trend continues,” Dhyne said. “We’ve been doing good in meets and with [CCS] qualifications but it’s also just good to see all these kids together and helping each other out.”