Badger swim team on fire

The Yosemite High School Badgers swim team moved swiftly over spring break as Coach Rae Rockey quoted Bob Bowman, coach of Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, for inspiration: “The best swimmers are the ones who can swim with their mind.”

Rockey said the team was in full force with the season rapidly moving toward championships.

“We sent five swimmers to the Last Chance invitational swim meet hosted at Buhach Colony High School where eight high schools were present,” Rockey said.

“Kaiden Rockey descended over the duration of 20 laps in the 500 freestyle swim event on Thursday and earned first place, setting a record in his Division 1 Central Sectionals time.”

The coach said Rockey’s second event found him blazing a 50 freestyle sprint, racing him to first place and securing his placement for the championship meet.

Other swimmers include Jordan Elliott, said Coach Rockey, a junior who “knows how to make every stroke and every breath count.”

“Jordan knew how to swim with speed as she was racing through the water to ensure her time was within the qualifying times for CIF Valley Championship for 100 and 50 freestyle.”

Mikalia Ruiz is just 10 one-hundreds of a second away from sealing her way to championships in the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle, Rockey said.

“Ruiz is improving her competitive pace at every swim meet and is immersing forward in the sport of swimming.”

Kate VanLandingham swam her two individual events, setting her personal best in the 50 Breaststroke and in the 200 IM Relay.

“Kate’s effort and grit sets the example of not putting any limits on what you can do to be come the athlete you want to become.”

Team captain Addison Menefee swims in a space where gravity doesn’t exist, coach said.

“She leads with intention and determination. She swam first place in both her individual events, moving her forward for competition in CIF Valley Championships in 100 and 50 Freestyle.”

With the adrenaline still pumping, the Badger girls relay team raced in both the Individual Relay and 200 Freestyle Relays.

“Their swim times are moving them closer to a qualifying time to take the relay team to championships,” said Rockey. “Well done, Badgers!”

Working hard

Rockey said the team continued to “work hard in the silence, letting their success make the noise.”

The team turned in strong performances against the Chowchilla High School team known as the Tribe.

Team co-captain Callista Mohler swam one of her best personal record times in the breaststroke leg of the 200 IM relay to help Yosemite secure second place at the Chowchilla meet.

“She also clocked in a strong performance in her 200 Individual Medley, moving swiftly to close the race,” Rockey said.

“As a senior Callista has had a full four years of swimming with YHS yet, in a blink, she has an eternity of memories and stories. Swimming seems normal for her. She is relaxed, knows her surroundings and knows precisely when it’s time to pull forward in her race to score some points for our team.”

Rockey said the team continues to push the water with just enough laps to cover across California and still end up at the Yosemite High School swim complex where they started.

“Each athlete now has new swim times, new friendships and more self-confidence to face bigger challenges at bigger swim meets.”

Swimmer Benjamin Barry knows that his practice and hard work pay off when he touches the wall and has his best race time for the season in 200 and 50 Freestyle races.

“Benjamin is a freshman and new to the sport of swimming,” coach said. “He has learned that the smallest of adjustments can make the biggest difference as he refines his skills.”

Badger swimmer Cooper Flanagan is proving that his preparations are the opportunity to shine in a lane, Rockey said, enhancing his skills and making his swimming more effective.

“This is bringing the boys’ 200 IM and 200 Freestyle relays to a faster finishing time, aiming for our Valley D2 Championship qualification time.”

Rockey said the swim season is fast paced.

“I am very proud of our athletes’ drive to improve. Knowing it takes dedication and practice to come up for air again and again to make our team work the dream work!”

Badger grit

The Badgers made serious waves when they participated the Northwest Sequoia Conference (NWSC) Championship meet held at Fowler High School on May 1. The meet brought together several schools from the conference to compete in various swimming events.

In the girls’ events, Menefee was on fire, Rockey said.

“She secured first place in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle events and brought home the gold with an incredible display of speed and determination.”

The girls relay team delivered an outstanding performance, their coach said, with each swimmer achieving personal best times in their respective events.

“Their dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence were evident as they pushed their limits, showcasing both individual prowess and seamless teamwork in their competitive journey with skills and persistence to move both 200 IM and 200 Freestyle Relay teams to a qualifying time for D2 Valley Championships.”

She said the boys performed “exceptionally well” in relay events during the NWSC Championship meet, finishing toward the top overall among tough competition.

“Our boys 200 IM Medley Relay and 200 Freestyle Relay teams surged to the podium with third place in both events, bringing home the well deserved medals and showcasing the depth of collective efforts of our team’s talent and teamwork.”

Kaiden Rockey dominated in the water with an outstanding performance, placing first in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle events, bringing home the gold with “pure sprinting excellence.”

“Kaiden’s remarkable achievement set two new swim records in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle events at the NWSC meets. Congratulations!”

Sophomore Quinn Dugan is a key member of the swim team who competed in the 100 and 50 Freestyle, earning a time to qualify for the D1 valleys swim meet and recording his best time for the season in the 50 Freestyle, taking him to third place and bringing home a bronze medal.

“His performance in the races contributed to the overall team score and locked in the season, placing third in league.”

Rockey said the NSL meet was a true reflection of hard work, unity and competitive spirit.

“Every swimmer contributed to this success. This season, the Badgers didn’t just swim — they raced with heart, crushed personal bests and brought home hardware. Every lap, every dive, every finish counted. And they did it together! Congratulations to the entire time — every swimmer on the team qualified for the CIF Division 2 Championship meet; a historic achievement”

Rockey said Badger Pride was alive and thriving and they planned to tear it up at CIF.