Speedy Gabert groomed for pool

Rick Devereux

Stephanie Gabert may only be in her second season with the Corona del

Mar High swim team, but she is far from a novice in the sport.

The sophomore has been swimming since she was 3 and is a member of

the Aquazots swim club based in Irvine.

Her expertise was evident May 14 when she broke her own CIF

Southern Section Division II record in the 100-yard breaststroke

(1:02.71) and set a CdM record in the 200 individual medley

(1:53.36). She was also a member of the 200 medley relay, which set a

CIF record in 1:48.59, and the 400 freestyle relay, which set a

school record in 3:32.91.

Her four CIF titles earn her Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week

honors, but Gabert should be getting used to receiving praise. She

was recently named the most valuable swimmer for the Sea Kings, who

finished second in the division behind Pacific Coast League rival

University.

Those accomplishments alone are worthy of praise, but consider she

did not lose a race in her individual events all year, and Gabert

steps into top-notch standards.

“She’s had quite a season,” Coach Doug Volding said. “I can’t

think of anybody having an undefeated season.”

Volding has been coaching swimming at CdM for more than 20 years,

so he has seen his fair share of swimming seasons.

Even though Gabert’s season was shortened because she participated

in the U.S. trials, Volding still said an undefeated season is

remarkable.

“No one even came close to beating her,” he said. “All through

league and CIF, nobody has touched her.”

Gabert said she missed participating with her teammates as she

trained in Irvine for the trials, but her friends made her feel

welcome when they saw her around campus.

“They would say, ‘We miss you,’ and, ‘Wish you could be here,’ ”

Gabert said. “They did pretty well without me at the meets. The meets

are really fun and I knew I was missing out on them.”

But Gabert had to dedicate herself in order to someday reach her

goal of swimming in the Olympics. She said she first realized she was

a fast swimmer and started to dream about the Olympics when she

received a letter inviting her to the Olympic trials.

She has traveled all over the country competing in national meets,

from Orlando, Fla. to Indianapolis to Seattle.

“All of the traveling can be a little overwhelming with school,

but I’m doing OK,” she said.

Gabert competes in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke at

national meets, which are longer than the 100-yards she swims for

CdM. The longer races help her stay in shape for the season when she

competes in the 200 medley relay, followed by the 200 IM two races

later, or when she swims the 100 breaststroke followed immediately by

the 400 free relay.

“I don’t get tired,” Gabert said. “The long distance races [in

national meets] are more tiring. High school is just sprint. I still

have energy to swim fast in high school meets.”

Gabert’s ease in the water and unbridled success sometimes leaves

her overlooked by her coach.

“It gets to a point when she gets in the water, I look past her

because I know she’ll take care of herself,” Volding said. “She is so

exceptional, sometimes I have to remind myself that she’s just like

all the rest [of the team] and needs a pat on the back on occasion.”