Brentwood Press - Index

Brentwood Press - OakleyPress_07.04.08 - Index

2B | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS JULY 4, 2008
SeaWolves enjoying first-year success
by Avi Burk
Staff Writer
The Brentwood SeaWolves, far East
County’s newest year-round swim club,
got their feet wet in February as a dozen
local swimmers braved the cold for the
organization’s fi rst week of practice.
Since then, the club has expanded its
membership to nearly 50 swimmers, all
of whom are thriving under the direction
of head coaches Nicole Flud and
Derek Perkins and their staff.
Several SeaWolves have reached
new heights this spring, led by Kurt Holzmuller,
who has already posted a teamleading
nine Junior Olympic qualifying
times and one Far Western qualifying
time. Teammate Nick Brix is nipping at
Holzmuller’s heels, however, posting six
Junior Olympic qualifying times and a
pair of Far Western qualifying times.
Newcomer Zach Harris has posted
three Junior Olympic times, Noah Abuda
has two and Elysia Pompa and Kailah
Tarantino each achieved their fi rstever
Junior Olympic times at the Tiger
Aquatics meet in Stockton. Seven Sea-
Wolves swimmers have participated for
the fi rst time in a USA Swim sanctioned
event this season.
The ’Wolves roster also features several
seasoned USA Swimming veterans,
including Alex Pompa, Savannah Reed,
Solomon Abuda, Alexis Oteri and Dominique
Oteri, who have continued to improve
their times in each of their events
at each meet.
In response to local demand, the
SeaWolves have added a summer USA
Water Polo program with Perkins at its
helm. The program has quickly grown
to 40 players and is currently practicing
at Heritage High School weekday mornings
from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The
success of the polo program will allow
the ’Wolves to offer more comprehensive
polo programs and clinics for those
middle and high school kids who love
the game.
The swim and polo programs have
been able to fl ourish through the tireless
efforts of the parent volunteers, the
coaches and the support of the community.
The city of Oakley, YMCA,
LUHSD and Brentwood Parks and Recreation
Department have all contributed
to program’s success by providing training
facilities.
The SeaWolves are confi dent that
as they grow, they will continue to offer
a strong and affordable program to
all swimmers in East County. For more
information on the swimming or water
polo program, visit www.brentwoodseawolves.com.
To comment on this story, visit www.
thepress.net.
Kailah Tarantino, above,
lifts up out of the water
between strokes while
swimming a timed 200-yard
individual medley during a
SeaWolves practice; right,
Kurt Holzmuller glides
through the water while
swimming a timed, 200yard
freestyle at an earlymorning
SeaWolves practice
at the Freedom High
School pool. Holzmuller
leads the SeaWolves with
nine Junior Olympic qualifying
times this year.
Photo by Jolly Hanson