Cerritos College
Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

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Men’s swim team returners have major advantage

Returner Loui Espinoza hopes to lead the men’s swim team of Cerritos College to the state championship this season.
Espinoza said, “As a returner, I feel I could not only set an example for the new members of the team, but I could also help them in a competitive aspect.”
Because he, along with a few other returners, are on the men’s water polo team, he feels they have a major advantage over the freshman.
“Most of us returning are on the water polo team,” he admitted, “So we pretty much know what’s it’s like to be competing at a college level, unlike the new members where they’ve only competed at a club or high school level.”
Coach Joe Abing believes freshman Berner Figueroa will be one of the swimmers who will take on a major role in contributing to the team.
Because speed is definitely a factor in obtaining points at swim meets, Abing said the speed of this incoming freshman will outstandingly help the team throughout the season.
Freshman Matthew Mendoza hopes that he too will help the swim team reach state.
“I know I can help my team reach the state championships,” Mendoza confessed. “It’s just going to take a lot of dedication and practice.”
He will also try to break the Cerritos College record for fastest freestyle swim.  
He bragged, “(Espinoza) might be fast, but I’m faster. I want to break the record and prove to people that a fat guy could still swim fast.”
Though there are very few swimmers on the team this season, Abing believes it is still a good group of guys.
“It’s a pretty good size group. Plus (the team) has Espinoza who is its fastest breaststroker, Mendoza its fastest long distance swimmer, and Figueroa who is the faster incoming freshman. So I definitely think they have the potential to make it to state,” he said.
Not only that, but it also has two new divers that could possibly earn it critical points in competitions.
Speed and endurance will be two major requirements that will enable this team to succeed.
Abing added, “These guys will have to work on their speed and endurance if they want to have a good season. I too get in the pool and swim with them sometimes. So I’ll be getting in shape at the same time they are.”
Despite the fact that there are only a few members on the team, Espinoza believes they have the potential, skills, and ability to make this a successful season.
“We have everything it takes to make it to state,” he said, “Everyone on the team just needs to come to practice and take this season seriously.”

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Men’s swim team returners have major advantage