Boys Swimming Preview: Happy Days For CdM

Steve Virgen

CORONA DEL MAR - For first-year Corona del Mar High boys swim

Co-Coach Tim Chaix, the strategy for a winning season is simple: have fun

and get faster.

He remembers fondly the happy days when he competed at Foothill High

School. But, he also recognizes the hard work that has followed his path

to CdM.

“I wanted to get into the high school level because I really enjoyed

my time in high school,” said Chaix, who moved back to Orange County

after getting his feet wet with assistant coaching stints at the

University of Michigan and the University of Kansas. “Hopefully, I can

share that experience with the guysm” said Chaix. “I hope they enjoy

their four years of high school.”

If winning breeds enjoyment then the Sea Kings could be having fun

this season. Chaix (pronounced shay) said defending their PCL title is

certainly possible as seniors Chriss Street and Garrett Bowlus, along

with juniors Sherwin Kim, Bobby Messenger and Marcello Pantuliano, lead

the charge.

Kim won league in the 200-yard individual medley (2:02.81) and

finished second in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.72).

Street is the defending league champion in the 100 butterfly (54.69),

and junior Matt Meyer has the title in the 500 freestyle (5:07.60).

“There is a lot of talent on this team,” Chaix said. “I was pleased

how the meet (against Newport Harbor) went. I still think we have a long

way to go.”

Co-Coach John Vargas, who also coached the Sea Kings’ boys and girls

water polo squads in the fall and winter, will be there to help guide the

swimmers as well.

Success is no stranger to Vargas, who coached the U.S. Olympic water

polo team, then led the CdM boys water polo to a CIF Southern Section

Division II title in the fall and built strength in a championship season

with CdM girls water polo after a share of the PCL title.

Vargas is also there to support Chaix’s goals for the season. Chaix is

aiming to send six to eight swimmers to the CIF meet, and that’s beyond

the boys who get in for the relay races.

The relays, Chaix said, are one of the stronger aspects of the team at

this point in the season.

The relay teams in the 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle

have already completed CIF-consideration times.

CdM won league in the three relays last season as the Sea Kings aim to

keep the tradition.

Kim, Pantuliano, Messenger or Street and Bowlus are setting their

sights for CIF in the 200 medley. The 200 freestyle relay consists of

Street, Messenger, Bowlus and John Money, while the 400 freestyle relay

has Kim, Street, Messenger and Bowlus.

CORONA DEL MAR BOYS SWIM

Garrett Bowlus Sr.

Artie Dorr So.

Robert Fries Fr.

Chris Hinger Jr.

Ali Kattan So.

Sherwin Kim Jr.

John Mann So.

Michael March Jr.

Bobby Messenger Jr.

Matt Meyer Jr.

Allen Moheimani (diver) Jr.

John Money So.

Marcello Pantuliano Jr.

Travis Pirdy So.

Brandon Powers Jr.

James Strack So.

Chriss Street Sr.

Co-Coaches: Tim Chaix and John Vargas