The Cerritos College Falcons men’s swim team looks to its star swimmer to bring it glory at the 2011 California Community College Athletic Association Swim and Dive Championships, held at East Los Angeles Community College this weekend.

For sophomore PJ Gabayeron, the possibility of surpassing his freshman hot streak of three individual state championship wins, as well as being named swimmer of the meet at the South Coast Conference Championships, may be realized in the upcoming state championships.

Thursday’s event is the 200 individual medley. Friday is the 100-meter breaststroke and Saturday is the 200- meter breaststroke.

Gabayeron maintains a positive attitude about the competition.”I’ve practice hard this season, so I should be fine. I’m always having fun with this, that why I believe I do so well.

I don’t focus too much on winning or losing… I just believe in myself. I have trained hard all season and I shouldn’t worry about this one meet. Some athletes get nervous but I never get nervous, but I make sure I don’t underestimate anybody I’m competing with.”

Ranking third in the 200 IM, second in the 100-meter breast stroke and ranking first in the 200-meter breast stroke, Gabayeron still expects some tough competition as well as having a recruiter from the University of Hawaii scheduled to be present at the meet.

The remaining days leading to the championships practice will consist of “Tapering”, which is a slow, relaxed workout that will allow for a jump in power and speed on race day.

Coach Joe Abing is meticulous with Gabayeron’s training in the final days leading to the event. “We’re kind of just fine tuning things right now. All of his difficult workouts have been done. So now its time to just rest a little before he needs to swim fast.”

“As of right now, Gabayeron is our last man standing for the Falcons swim team,” coach Abing says. “I did have four guys break a school record in a relay. It was 200 freestyle, but Gabayeron is the only competitor representing the Cerritos men’s swim team at the meet.”

Sophomores Mehgan Carbajal and Jesse Ku from the Falcon women’s swim team are also poised for victory at the state championships. Ku has a win in the 50-meter backstroke and Carbajal has wins in 50-meter and 100-meter breaststroke at the Conference Championships that qualified them for the state championships.

Assistant women’s swim coach Eddie Kim explains the stakes involved with this last championship event. “This is the end of the season, so this is the finish line. They’re both sophomores so this is their last chance to compete for Cerritos College.

They’re doing really well, mentally and physically, especially with the victories at the conference championships, that has helped their psyche.”

Both coaches encourage the student body, friends and family to attend this weekend’s event.

Coach Abing anticipates a thrilling night of fierce competition. “It’s going to be exciting. It’s an indoor pool, so it’s going to be a fun atmosphere and it’s going to get real loud. Even though the swimmers are in the water, they’re able to hear you. And if we have someone from our college winning a state championship, that’s going to be cool. We’re hoping for the best.”