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High school swimming: Young Hawks boast big talent at meet
In the pool
What: 2008 NMAA State Swimming and Diving Championships
When: Friday (prelims start at 10:30 a.m.) and Saturday (finals begin at 10:45 a.m.)
Where: Albuquerque Academy Natatorium
Tickets: A full day pass costs $5 for students and seniors and $6 for adults
What to watch: The dominant Academy boys and girls programs have been on a roll. The Chargers boys have won seven of the last nine state titles, including two in a row. Academy's girls have won three in a row and six of the past eight. . . . Several local swimmers have the fastest qualifying time in their events: Marissa Campbell, Manzano; Elliot Feng, Academy; Marcus Guttman, Academy; Kalani Kaula, Academy; Jacob Mortensen, Albuquerque High; Kate Nelsen, Sandia Prep; Jessica Palacio, St. Pius X; Mack Puhl, Sandia Prep; Brenna St. John, La Cueva.
Hawks at a glance
School: Volcano Vista
Coach: Cameron Clarke
State qualifiers: Kassandra Cleto (50 and 100 freestyle, relay), Ashlynn Broste, Sami Knecht, Jordan Madigan, Hayley Mervini, Brittany Sparks (all in 200 freestyle relay or alternates)
Other team members: Kassidy Ross, Marissa Lawrence, Ryan Brady, Brandon Graham, Abram Lane, Dominic Perea
Notable: These are Volcano Vista's first representatives in state championship competition. . . . Cleto represents Volcano Vista's best chance for a state title, even if it's a long shot. She's behind favorite Marissa Campbell from Manzano. . . . Speaking of Manzano, Clarke is the son of Monarchs coach Tammy Wilson.
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Spaghetti dinners never came together.
Neither did - thankfully - the custom that swimmers at some local programs have of toilet-papering each other's houses the night before a big meet.
Only recently did members of Volcano Vista swim team start to scrawl supportive signs for each other, a common occurrence at other schools.
Tradition is lacking at the Westside's newest high school, and understandably so.
But that hasn't stopped the Hawks from fielding a competitive girls swim team.
Cameron Clarke's crew is the first team at all-freshman Volcano Vista to participate in a state championship event. The young Hawks will be in the water with perennial powers Albuquerque Academy, La Cueva and Los Alamos at the state meet starting Friday, a little more than six months after Volcano Vista's doors opened.
A big reason?
Kassandra Cleto, an athlete who could wear Volcano Vista's first state crown in the near future.
The 15-year-old ranks among the top five qualifiers in both freestyle sprints, the 50 and 100.
"She's already faster than most people in the short distances, but she can hold it," Clarke said. "She has that kind of stamina."
That's why some local coaches project Cleto to develop into a championship-level swimmer in the 200 freestyle race. And that's why Cleto sees her first state meet as a stepping stone.
The presence of Manzano's defending state champion Marissa Campbell tempers her goals - Cleto wants second in the 50 and fourth in the 100 - but it doesn't discourage her.
"It's not always about winning or losing, it's about the time you get, hitting your mark," said Cleto, who looks up to Campbell. "I'm so excited. In prelims we won't be swimming with each other, but in the finals we will. I've always wanted to swim next to her."
Cleto still has a considerable gap to close before she reaches Campbell's level. Despite Cleto's high-ranking status, she still trails the Manzano standout's times by more than a full second in the 50 and 100. She has, however, improved quickly.
Cleto, like Campbell, started in gymnastics. She performed floor exercises, but chronic foot injuries forced Cleto to stop.
Then one of her best friends, Olivia Henry, a swimmer at Cibola, convinced her to get in the pool.
After three and a half years of learning in a local summer program, Cleto joined Duke City Aquatics, a year-round club team, last year.
She credits Duke City for much of her success so far.
"I'm faster," Cleto said. "My strokes are better. I'm more fluid. I have more endurance."
She also breathes better.
Ideally, in a 50-meter freestyle race, swimmers should take three breaths - one down, two on the way back.
"I would take like nine," Cleto said.
More efficient with her breaths and strokes, Cleto continued to shave seconds off her times. She fell deeper in love with the sport. It seems to take much of her focus.
"Swimming's my main thing," Cleto said. "That's where my passion is, my desire. My extra time is going to be (spent) on something to help me get better."
Maybe later Cleto and her fellow Hawks can develop some traditions of their own.
