Pfendler makes his mark in pool, classroom

Mike Sciacca

In just his first full year at Laguna Beach High, Shawn Pfendler has

already made his mark.

The freshman, a member of the Artists’ boys’ varsity swim team,

established school records in two individual events during the just

completed spring swim season.

During the course of the regular season, Pfendler broke the school

records in the 200-meter individual medley and the 100-meter backstroke.

At the end of the season, however, he did himself one better.

At the Pacific Coast League finals held earlier this month at

University High in Irvine, he shattered his own records in the two events

as he swam to a new record time of 2:10.61 in the individual medley, and

a 59.26 in the 100-meter backstroke.

“I was really, really stoked to set those records,” Pfendler said. “It

was just a great year for me overall. I had lots of support and

encouragement from my my dad, my family and coach Rick (Scott).”

During the swim season, Pfendler recorded 17 first place finishes and

three second place finishes in individual events.

Pfendler, who said he could swim before he could walk, has swam

competitively since he was 8. He is a member of Irvine Nova Aquatics.

Not only did he swim during the spring, but he also found time to

start at shortstop and hold the role of leadoff hitter on Laguna Beach’s

junior varsity baseball team.

In addition, Pfendler is leaving his mark in the classroom: heading

into the final month of the 2001-02 school year, he is holding a 4.2

grade-point average.

“This first year at Laguna Beach High went by fast, but it has been

great,” he added. “I’m looking forward to the next three.”