Riverside Poly swimming star Ava DeAnda described her junior season as a learning experience.
DeAnda’s training was severely limited because of a lengthy illness during the first semester of the school year. Despite setbacks. DeAnda remained the Inland area’s top girls swimmer. She claimed her fourth CIF Southern Section individual championship and helped the Bears finish sixth in Division 1. DeAnda also brought home her fifth career individual medal from the CIF State finals.
For these reasons, DeAnda has been chosen the IE Varsity Girls Swimmer of the Year for the third consecutive season.
“I did the best with what I had,” DeAnda said of the season. “I battled a lot of obstacles, so I’m pretty happy with the swims I had.”
DeAnda has been setting school records since her first meet at Riverside Poly. And this season, she lowered her times in both the 50-yard freestyle and 100 butterfly. DeAnda also has top times in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke and is part of two record relay teams. She once again came a second from breaking Sippy Woodhead’s record in the 200 individual medley.
“Definitely something I hope to get next season,” DeAnda said of the IM record.
DeAnda won the Division 1 title in the 100 freestyle, and that victory tied her with Woodhead for the second most individual titles in program history, Woodhead swam two seasons with Riverside Poly before transferring to Mission Viejo for her final two years. Melanie Rile holds the school record with six individual championships. DeAnda also finished fourth this year in the 200 freestyle.
DeAnda captured state titles in the 100 freestyle as a freshman and sophomore and entered this year’s state finals having never lost a high school race in that event. The streak ended when Campolindo freshman Stella Canoles beat DeAnda by 0.12 seconds.
“That is something that is going to fuel me to be even better,” DeAnda said of the second-place finish. “I am a very self-motivating swimmer and I believe there is another version of me I can bring out. Every year, there are new swimmers coming onto the scene looking to make an impact. It is great for the sport, and it is also going to be something that pushes me to find a way to go faster.
“I am going to work even more and come back 10 times harder next year. I don’t want to experience that same feeling again.”
DeAnda has competed in the 100 and 200 freestyles at the CIF Southern Section finals each of her first three seasons with Poly. Could DeAnda swap the 200 freestyle for the 50 freestyle her senior season?
“I definitely like the sprints more,” DeAnda said. “I like to switch things up and I’m getting faster in the 50, so we’ll wait and see.”
DeAnda has already taken care of her future, as she committed to Cal earlier this year.
“The recruiting process was wild, stressful but a lot of fun. I had so many great moments on my recruiting trips,” DeAnda recalled. “I’m excited and feel extremely blessed to have an opportunity to swim for a school that has produced so many great swimmers.”
IE VARSITY COACH OF THE YEAR
Loren McCoy, Aquinas
McCoy is a respected club coach at Victory Aquatics, and he is making waves at the high school level as well. McCoy guided the Falcons to a runner-up finish at the CIF Southern Section Division 4 finals, the program’s best postseason finish. Aquinas finished with 155 points, with all of its points scored by freshmen. Regina Estrada-Maravillo won a pair of individual titles, and the Falcons captured the medley relay title. McCoy also is the club coach of IE Varsity Boys Swimmer of the Year, Connor McAleer of Pacific.
IE VARSITY FIRST TEAM
Alyssa Bian, King, So.
Jacqueline Chen, San Dimas, So. (diving)
Ava DeAnda, Riverside Poly, Jr.
Brooke DeMarco, Santiago, Fr.
Madison Dockery, Temecula Valley, So.
Jaydah Godbolt, Hemet, Jr.
Coco Hong, Ayala, So.
Brinley Knoll, Santiago, Sr.
Presley McPhail, Riverside Poly, Sr.
Charlotte Milkie, Santiago, So.
Rylee Ogilvie, Ayala, Sr.
Viviana Perez, King, Sr.
Madison Poloni, Los Osos, Jr.
Kaylee Richmond, Murrieta Valley, Fr.
Addison Schneider, Murrieta Mesa, So.
IE VARSISTY SECOND TEAM
Gwen Asbury, Liberty, Jr.
Lucy Chavez, Ramona, Sr. (diving)
Amanda Cotton, Great Oak, Sr.
Maya Cravens, Temecula Valley, Jr.
Elisha de Vera, Redlands, Jr.
Juliette Early, Arrowhead Christian Academy, Jr.
Regina Estrada-Maravillo, Aquinas, Fr.
Allie Fields, Santiago, Jr.
Madison Hem, Santiago, Jr.
Kaitlyn Lee, Murrieta Valley, Jr.
Jaylinn Miller, Upland, Sr.
Mackenzie Miner, Redlands, Jr.
Emma Roberts, Centennial, Sr.
Olivia Savage, Claremont, Jr.
Brooke Wiley, Citrus Hill, Fr.
