Dzieciol and Lu break two records at first meet of the season
In their first league meet against Camarillo on Mar. 3, the swim team broke two school records: girls’ 100 yard butterfly and boys’ 100 yard backstroke. Victoria Dzieciol, freshman, broke the girls’ 100 fly by .02 seconds at her first ever high school meet, while Jason Lu, sophomore, rebroke the boys’ 100 back record for a second year in a row by .08 seconds.
They both already had record breaking times from previous club meets. In addition to swimming for the high school season, Dzieciol and Lu both practice year long at their club team, Pleasant Valley Swim Team, up to 11 times a week.
“They both are very hardworking and determined. They keep pushing and pushing to get better,” Keith Brock, swim coach said.
Dzieciol wanted to break the record at her first meet and was encouraged by Brock, in order to officially be the record holder. She wore a kneeskin, a special type of competition suit usually only worn in high level races, such as CIF finals, to ensure no loose fabric would slow down her race.
“Right before the race I was unusually pumped and confident and I felt this huge need to finally do this and get under the record (at a high school meet). And then from the start and through the race, it was the best feeling 100 fly I have ever done it felt so strong and beautiful, not only in the beginning but the whole way through,” Dzieciol said.
Brock was also proud of Dzieciol’s accomplishment. “Especially during this time, girls bodies are changing and they need to change their style to fit that, and she is doing that very well and it shows in her times.”
On the other hand, Lu did not plan on breaking his own record but commented that he expected he would anyway. Lu entered the competition like any other high school meet: he didn’t taper, which is the tactic of practicing a less strenuous amount beforehand so as not to be as tired at a competition, or wear a fastskin, a technical suit similar to the kneeskin. Therefore, he was “very happy that (he) broke the record again”. Since the previous season, Lu has been using a new technique of rotating his head thanks to Brock, which he claims “has really been helping his stroke.”
The record was the beginning for the swim team this season.
“It was really cool that we both broke the record. I am really proud of the team and think it will be a good season,” Lu said.
Images from www.teamunify.com
