The Palo Alto High School girls’ varsity swimming team closed in on an undefeated season until a mere three points restrained the team from capturing the Central Coast Section title from Archbishop Mitty.
“Losing CCS was rough,” June Afshar (’10) said. “We have come really far from previous seasons.”
After a stellar 2008 season, the Lady Vikes came back even stronger this year. Key underclassmen swimmers, Jasmine Tosky (’12), Sarah Liang (’11) and Abby Duckett (’12), not only contributed points and places, but also All-American and CCS record breaking times.
“The underclassmen were a huge, vital part of this season,” co-captain Tara Murao (’09) said. “They really stepped up and took over for Liv [Jensen (’08)] and Colleen [Fotsch (’08)].”
The Lady Vikes showcased true talent when they swept the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division Championship. The team set two school records in point totals alone. The Lady Vikes won their seventh consecutive league championship title.
At Leagues, Tosky received All-American titles in both the 200-yard IM with a time of 2:02.08, and the 100-yard butterfly, with a time of 55.75.
Liang swam a 100-yard breaststroke in 1:04:45, which not only broke The Viking’s 2008 Female Athlete of the Year, Liv Jensen’s, record, but also the longest standing record in school history.
Duckett won her races as well, which included the 500-yard freestyle (4:58.47) and the 200-yard freestyle (1:55.03). As CCS approached, the girls continued to put long hours and hard work into morning and afternoon practices.
Coach Danny Dye prepped the team well; so well that the girls’ times got faster, their form cleaner and their strokes stronger with each meet.
“Danny is a really great coach,” Murao said. “He coaches unlike any of the other coaches in our league. He goes above and beyond.”
Team co-captains Allie Bollela (’09) and Murao made lasting contributions to the team with their leadership.
“Allie did a really good job of leading by example for the team,” Murao said. “I tried to keep everyone motivated and positive, and to be a good role model for the underclassmen.”
After Leagues, the girls were undefeated, 10-0.
“We basically dominated before CCS,” Afshar said.
The team went into CCS with high hopes. Projected stats showed that the Lady Vikes would win CCS by a wide margin.
Although the girls came in second, their performance at CCS was still an unbelievable accomplishment. Paly’s times were the fastest ever in CCS history.
“At the meet, overall, we did super well,” Murao said. “I am so proud of the team, especially of all the records the girls set.”
In the 200-yard medley relay, Paige Devine (’11), Liang, Margaret Wenzlau (’12) and Tosky made the first Palo Alto mark in CCS history with a time of 1:44.31.
The 200-yard free relay brought satisfying results as well. Liang, Sabrina Lee (’11), Bollela and Wenzlau made Paly swimming history with a record of 1:36.97.
Tosky, sleek in a sparkling gold body-length suit, swam her fastest yet. In the 200-yard IM, Tosky wiped out all competition with a CCS record of 1:57.94. Liang swam close behind, pretty in pink, with a time of 2:00.51.
“They [Tosky and Liang] are so mature and experienced,” Murao said. “They did a great job of filling their positions on the team this year.”
Tosky continued her domination in the 100-yard freestyle by coming in first with another CCS record. Her time 48.98 smashed Liv Jensen’s former record (49.03).
Tosky practically flew through the 500-yard freestyle, and set yet another CCS record with the time 4:43.96. Duckett then sealed the deal with a second place finish at 4:57.45.
Wenzlau held strong in the 100-yard butterfly placing fifth in 56.06.
Liang held her own in the 100-yard breaststroke, gliding into first with an amazing 1:01.50 time, and broke another CCS record for Paly.
“After a day of such great swimming, not going away with the trophy was hard,” Murao said. “It was a disappointing end to the season.”
Although all of these records were not enough to win the Lady Vikes the CCS championship, their impressive showcase at all of their meets this season exemplifies the powers of what a true team can do.
Hard work, skill and new, fresh talent helped these girls reach towering heights.
These qualities will no doubt help the team in future seasons to come when this year’s underclassmen return again.
“We will definitely miss the seniors,” Afshar said. “But, we are set for next year.”
Unfortunately, the girls must settle for second place, but silver satisfies; for now, at least.
Honorable Mention
Girls’ Volleyball – Although the girls’ varsity volleyball team called themselves the “redeem team,” at many points in the season, the girls looked like a dream team. For the third year in a row the Lady Vikes won their league, and qualified to the Central Coast Section. Although the girls beat St. Francis for the first time in years, they lost to Archbishop Mitty in the CCS semifinals.
Girls’ Lacrosse – The girls’ varsity lacrosse team made a full revolution in its second season and established itself as a force to be reckoned with. The girls went from winning only two games last season to losing only three games this season. The girls won their division and qualified to the CCS semifinals. The team faced a disappointing loss to Menlo-Atherton.