Liberty’s Gwen Asbury will compete in the CIF prelims in two individual races and two relay events.
Senior Gwen Asbury will begin her bid for postseason success, including a goal of qualifying for the CIF State meet, when the Liberty High School girls and boys swim teams compete in the CIF Southern Section prelims on Wednesday at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.
Asbury qualified in two individual events and will also swim two relay races for the Bison, who will compete in the Division 3 prelims. She is ranked No. 1 in the freestyle and No. 3 in the 500 freestyle. She will also swim in the girls 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay.
“She is fighting for a spot at the State Championships,” said Felicia Asbury, Gwen’s mother and the team’s coach. “In order to qualify, she has to get the time standard in finals at CIF. She has been working hard all year and has been focusing on her strength training and mental preparation.
“Last year, she got a major concussion due to flu complications and she was out of the pool for about three weeks, which negatively impacted her training. Last year’s focus was on the relays, but this year’s focus will be on her individual events since it’s her last opportunity to qualify for State because she is a senior.”
In addition to Gwen Asbury, the Bison boys and girls will be well represented elsewhere. Kylie Kaas will compete in the girls 100 backstroke. For the boys, Gavin Stephens will swim the 200 IM and 100 backstroke; Chris Bruner will swim the 200 freestyle; and Julian Mojica will compete in the 100 breaststroke. The Bison will also compete in the girls 200 medley relay.
Relay swimmers not competing in individual events are NeyLias Atwood, Emma Coleman, Celeste Hernandez, Tessa Whitford, Chase Mankin, and Emmett Mino.
The top 18 finishers in each event will qualify for the finals on Friday, also at MSAC.
The Heritage High girls will compete in the Division 4 prelims Tuesday at MSAC. Qualifiers are:
— 4×50 medley relay (Abigail Downs, Christina Harvey, Gracie Ledesma, Sophia De La Torre)
— Harvey in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke
— Ledesma in the 100 butterfly
— Downs in the 100 backstroke
— 4×100 relay (Downs, Harvey, Ledesma, De La Torre)
“Sophia, Gracie and Christina have swam and played water polo for three years,” said Patriots girls coach Tatiana Coover. “Abigail is a freshman, which is worth noting as we rarely get 9th graders who qualify for CIF.”
For the Heritage boys team, senior Zebediah Downs – older brother of Abigail – “has quietly been building something special,” said his coach, Shannon Stephenson. “A senior and team captain, Zeb’s journey this season has been defined by perseverance, leadership, and an unshakable hunger for more.”
Zebediah qualified in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke, securing his second consecutive appearance at CIF. Also representing Heritage will be the 200 medley relay team of Elijah Shaw, Cabel Wonnell, Jaden Villa and Downs.
“Through long practices and months of hard work, the four swimmers pushed one another forward, proving that unity and commitment can elevate an entire team,” Stephenson said.
“Last year, Zeb experienced CIF from a different perspective. Along with racing, he volunteered as a timer, soaking in the atmosphere, watching elite competition, and realizing he wanted to be back in the water with even more purpose. That experience stuck with him, fueling his motivation and sharpening his focus for the season ahead.
“The results speak for themselves. The Heritage boys swim team finished third at the Sunbelt League finals, advanced to the Raincross Conference, and now heads to CIF, marking one of the strongest seasons in program history. Along the way, Zeb emerged as a respected leader, someone his teammates look up to and aspire to become.”
Paloma Valley’s Brody Williams will also compete in the Division 3 finals on Wednesday. He qualified in the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle. The 400 freestyle relay team of Williams, Jack Gallaher, Mason Williams, and Anthony Spaan is an alternate.
Williams broke his own 200 freestyle school record in the recent conference finals with a personal best of 1:51.62. For the girls, Matilyn Knowlton broke her own school record in the 100 backstroke (1:09.73).
