Cerritos College
Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

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Falcons prepare to dive into the season

Head coach Joe Abing has led the Falcons to the South Coast Conference Championship in three of the last seven years, and after capturing the SCC title last year, the Cerritos College men’s swim team looks to repeat this year.    

The Falcons finished in 13th place at State Championships last season.

“This year will be a new challenge for us, we have a lot of new swimmers,” said Abing.

“So hopefully we’ll have just as much depth, but most importantly we’re going to have to work as hard as last year.”

Expectations are the same: “Guys to work hard in practice, have a good attitude, make sure they are going to class and doing everything they can in their classes to be successful,” Abing said.

PJ Gabayeron, who was second on the men’s water polo team in goals and assists, will begin his second year swimming for the Falcons.

Last year, he won three individual titles at the California Community College Athlete Association State Championships.

He was also voted the college’s Freshman Athlete of the Year, and broke four individual school records.

 “The only thing he can do is try to swim faster than he did last year,” Abing said.

Gabayeron was unavailable for comment.

The Falcons lost William Lansang and Edgar Villa, the top two of their divers from last season.

Villa transferred to University of California San Diego.

Another major departure was Louie Espinoza, who in 2008 was named All-American in the 200-yard breaststroke after turning in the 11th fastest time in the country.

The major additions for Cerritos College are Davey Brown and Mario Ibarra, who has high expectations for himself.

 “I’m actually looking to at least make it to State for my freestyle,” Ibarra said.

“I’m a sprinter, so I’m looking for the 50-free and the 100-fly. I’m looking forward to making it to State and hopefully further.”

A player to watch for is freshman Enrico Hidalgo, who is “very fast,” according to Abing.

“Davey and Enrico are probably our two fastest newcomers,” Abing said.

Sophomore swimmer Daniel Mendoza thinks his team can go further in State Championships this year.

“We have a lot of returning guys like PJ, Ethan [Gilham] and I as well,” Mendoza said.

 “But we also have a lot of new guys that we are looking forward to step up.”

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Falcons prepare to dive into the season