Beaumont High’s swim program is picking off right where it left last season.
The Cougars won Mountain Pass League titles in boys and girls swimming last season – the first for the boy’s team and second straight for the girls.
On Monday Beaumont swimmers hardly broke a sweat while registering lopsided no-league victories against visiting Desert Hot Springs.
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The boy’s team registered four CIF swim standards in a 134-23 win over the Golden Eagles and the girl’s team set one CIF standard in its 133-22 win.
“Our first year the kids really hated us because we made them practice so much and very hard,” said Adonnia Bradbury, who, along with Jason Bradbury, are in their third season as swim team coaches. “The second season they started buying into it. Last year they noticed how fast they got. Now they know the training speaks for itself.”
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Last season the Cougars broke six team records, produced league champions in seven events and placed four swimmers at the CIF meet.
“We expect to win league in boys,” Jason Bradbury said. “It’s going to be hard for the girls but I believe they can do it. In CIF I know we can do a lot better.”
Returning swimmers on the boy’s team include 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly league champion Bilal Walker.
Walker won both events on Monday (1:02.5 in the 100 fly, 1:12.0 in the breaststroke).
Walker contended for the MPL MVP award last season, won the two MPL titles and placed fifth in the butterfly and seventh in the backstroke at CIF.
“He has great potential to place in the top 3 at CIF,” Jason Bradbury said. “He is very talented and has a lot of natural ability. Once his dedication catches up to his ability he will be phenomenal.”
Another returner on the boys team is Brody Wood, the MPL defending champion in the 200 and 500 freestyles Wood won the 50 (:24.5) and 100 (:53.6) freestyles on Monday.
The girl’s team is anchored by Deana Mendoza, the MPL MVP from last season. Mendoza won MPL titles in the 200 and 500 freestyles.
“Deana works very, very hard,” Jason Bradbury said. “She is on the water polo team and will play water polo in college. Having that talent and that strength helps her out.”
Another standout returner on the girls team is Bree Hendey, the MPL’s defending champion in the 200 and 500 freestyles.
On Monday Mendoza won the 100 backstroke in 1:11.0.
