As CIF finals approach, and as the swim season winds down, the Islanders’ will send seven seniors into the next phases of their lives.
Many high school athletes compete all four years, getting the full experience, but this group is different – though no fault of their own.
Head swim coach Paul Folts says that because this group of seniors was freshmen the year that the COVID pandemic hit, they did not get to experience a full season of swim competition until they were juniors.
“Even through all of the changes they had to endure over the past four years, they have done a tremendous job of persevering to bring normalcy and excitement back to the pool deck,” Folts said. “Their entire high school experience is very unique, and I am extremely proud of how well they have endured and carried on the spirit of the team.”
Despite the turmoil, the hurdles, and the restrictions this group was forced to battle, Folts says that they have rallied together for the betterment of the team.
“Compared to 2021, and even last year, they have rallied their peers to join the team and have led Coronado to becoming a competitive force in the pool again.” he said.
Senior Night
The group celebrated senior night on April 21, and the seven seniors – Kylie Guess, Jake Finch, Tayah Bubulka, Alexis Hammond, Olivia Parr, Samuel Quarles, and Zoe Searles – bring CIF and conference experience to squads looking to make waves during the postseason.
Bubulka, a captain who plans to study architecture at USC, said the Coronado program has helped her to plan and be a part of special community.
“Throughout the past four years the swim team has taught me how to set goals that I want to achieve and how to be a part of a team and something bigger than myself.”
-Tayah Bubulka, one of the swim team captains.
“Throughout the past four years, the swim team has taught me how to set goals that I want to achieve and how to be a part of a team and something bigger than myself,” she said.
“Power of sheer grit”
Finch, also a captain, says he’s been swimming for the majority of his life, something he attributes to helping develop crucial skills.
“At this point, I’ve been swimming for over a decade on a competitive team. If anything, swimming taught me the power of sheer grit and determination just to get out on the other side after a set. More importantly though, swimming not only taught me, but it showed me that hard work pays off,” Finch said.
Finch will be attending Gonzaga University in the fall, studying mechanical engineering.
University of California-Berkeley commit Quarles explained that his experience swimming throughout his life has aided in honing his preparation and training process.
” I have learned, through bad and good meets, how to properly evaluate my training and preparation process.”
-Senior swimmer Samuel Quarles
“I believe swimming has taught me a lot about learning from experience and making changes moving forward. I have learned, through bad and good meets, how to properly evaluate my training and preparation process,” Quarles said. “I have also become so much better at time management over the years, because I always have to remember I’m putting aside a few hours every day for practice.”
Folts explained the importance of this group of seniors to the team dynamic, stating that their leadership, experience, and wherewithal have made the whole team better.
“Their leadership has brought success to the entire team.”
Swim coach Paul Folts on his senior swimmers.
“Beyond just their times in the water, their leadership has brought success to the entire team.”
