Top Teammate Wiggins Enjoys End of Cap Swim Days

Capuchino High’s Darla Wiggins is more than your average swimmer – in fact, she’s the best teammate you could ask for. The 5-foot-11 breaststroke specialist has been swimming at Cap all four of her years, earning the respect and admiration of coaches and teammates.

Wiggins has shined this season despite not being able to practice at Capuchino’s pool and has encouraged teammate Sam Carneiro to break her frosh-soph school record of 1 minute, 25 seconds in the 100-yard breaststroke.

San Bruno Patch caught up with Wiggins after the last regular season meet of her career on Thursday at San Mateo High. Wiggins and the Mustangs will make their next appearance at the Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division trials next Wednesday and Thursday at Westmoor High.

San Bruno Patch: Hello Darla. So today was the last meet of the season. Looking back in all four years, how fun a ride has this been?

Darla Wiggins: Hi! All four years of swimming have been an extremely fun experience because the team is very close and supportive of each other.

Patch: Due to construction, you and your team have had to practice at San Bruno Park, Orange Park, Mills High School and even Aragon High School until last week. Describe how this season went for you at practice and how rewarding was it to ‘dive home’ this week.

Wiggins: This year's practices have definitely been different from past years, because of the constant change in swimming environment and it has been difficult to have the whole team together when the times of some practices were really late in the day. Overall, it was tough, but now that we are back home at Capuchino's pool, swimming is wonderful! The pool came out really nice and our swim team pride has increased a lot!

Patch: How long have you swum for? Did you swim club or has your interest for the pool risen in high school?

Wiggins: I have been swimming all of my life, but I started competitively at South San Francisco Aquatics Club in the fifth grade and sixth grade. My interest in swimming has grown much more since I joined Capuchino's swim team, because in high school I feel more competitive. 

Patch: What is the best part of being a swimmer?

Wiggins: The best part of being a swimmer is getting toned. In swimming you use almost every muscle, and since we swim outside it doesn't hurt that we get nice tans.

Patch: Your coach and teammates describe you as a team leader. Did you gradually grow into that role or is it something that came naturally?

Wiggins: I think I have some natural ability to be a leader, but I have developed to be a better team leader because of how awesome my teammates are. So, it is easy to encourage and help everyone.

Patch: You were a second-team all-PAL Ocean Division selection last year as a junior. What were your personal goals for this year and did you reach/surpass any of them?

Wiggins: My goal for the season is to continue to break my personal record in the 100 breaststroke. I had 1:23 as a time in the beginning of the year, and now I'm at 1:21. I'm hoping to get around 1:18 at this coming PALs.

Patch: When did you decide to hone in your favorite events? Was it just your decision or did others point it out to you?

Wiggins: At first, I just picked events that I was pretty familiar with and decided to try them out. But when I unintentionally broke the 100 breast JV record as a freshman, I decided that was my favorite event and continued to challenge myself to get faster times.

Patch: You have a 5-foot-11 frame. How much of an advantage is that for you in competition?

Wiggins: I think my height helps, but it is how I have learned to use my height in swimming that makes it an advantage.

Patch: Describe your competitive spirit and how that factors into your race performance.

Wiggins: Competing is exciting for me and nerve-racking as the same time. I think it makes me go faster, because I want to do well and win.

Patch: What was the most memorable meet of your career?

Wiggins: They have all been pretty memorable, but the ones I will remember the most are the meets we had at our home pool, because we had big speakers with music, lots of school spirit and we all competed better.

Patch: One of your teammates, Sam Carneiro, had the chance to break your frosh-soph 100-yard breaststroke record. Why did you encourage her to break your record?

Wiggins: When I broke the previous record I was very honored, because I worked hard for it. So, when I saw how passionate Sam has been at trying to break my record I wanted to encourage her, because  I want her to have the same rewarding experience I had when I broke it. I always want the best for the team so whenever someone has a chance to break records (even if they are mine) I want them to succeed!

Patch: You plan to go to San Jose State University in the fall. Any plans of continuing your swimming career there?

Wiggins: It would be amazing if I had the opportunity to swim for San Jose State's competitive swim team, but if not, I will join whatever swim club they have available.

Patch: Word is you have a knack for coaching people and showing them the ropes. Any chance you might become a coach in the future?

Wiggins: I like helping the new swimmers and my teammates  improve their skills, but I also like being the one trying to improve my own skills; so, who knows? Anything is possible.