By Pete Borello

Prep Swimming Summary

Neither of Los Altos High’s swim teams will win an SCVAL De Anza Division title this season, conceded coach Dan Dye.

However, Dye said both the boys and girls squads are capable of improving upon their respective regular-season standing when they compete in this week’s league meet.

“Both teams have an outside chance of moving up one spot,” the sixth-year coach said. “Even if they stay where they are, I’ll be quite satisfied.”

The boys (4-2) and girls (4-3) concluded the dual-meet season placing third and fourth, respectively, in one of the strongest leagues in the Central Coast Section.

They wrapped up the regular season by defeating Los Gatos last Thursday at Los Altos.

Paced by Chris Kelsch, the boys won nine events on their way to a 125-48 drubbing of the Wildcats. The junior captured the 200-meter freestyle (1 minute, 55.28 seconds), placed second in the 100 free (52.19) and anchored Los Altos’ victorious 200 (1:33.88) and 400 (3:36.64) free relay teams.

Freshman James Sandman clocked a personal-best 1:09.16 to win the 100 breast stroke and also helped the Eagles prevail in the 200 medley relay (1:49.87).

Other Los Altos winners included Howard Shin in the 200 individual medley (2:18.39), Michael Adams in the 100 butterfly (1:03.84), Brian Whitlock in the 500 free (5:15.39), Andrew Wiener in the 100 backstroke (1:02.18) and Jonathan Fishpaw in 1-meter diving (178.05).

Dye seemed especially pleased with the performance of Shin, a junior.

“He’s a new swimmer - this is his first year with the team - and he has a lot of raw talent,” the coach said.

The Los Altos girls claimed eight events in a 109-76 victory over Los Gatos.

Meghan Sandlin led the way by winning the 50 free (26.08) and 100 back (1:04.74). The junior also swam on the Eagles’ triumphant 200 medley (1:59.91) and 400 free (3:55.63) relays.

“She’s a very versatile swimmer,” Dye said. “She can swim any event and give us a chance to win it.”

The coach also praised the versatility of junior Tina Tkalcevic, who swam on the 200 medley relay team and won the 100 breast (1:14.20).

Los Altos also received wins from Rita Lonhart in the 100 free (58.35), which is not her normal event, along with freshman Courtney Beyer in the 100 fly (1:01.85) and the 200 free relay team (1:48.15).

Dye would like to see the Eagles continue their winning ways at the league meet, scheduled for 1 p.m., today through Friday, at St. Francis High.

“Everyone’s training hard and swimming their best times,” Dye said. “We have the best diving program in the league, all-around, and that will really help us out. We just need some great swims (this week).”