RIVERSIDE — How low can she go?
That is the question on many minds when Riverside Poly standout swimmer Ava DeAnda takes her spot on the starting block.
DeAnda had an outstanding debut campaign last season, claiming a pair of CIF Southern Section Division 2 individual titles and her first CIF State championship. DeAnda swam against Division 1 competition at the section finals this year and brought home another individual championship. She also was one of the stars of this year’s state meet, adding two more titles to her collection.
For those reasons, DeAnda has been selected the IE Varsity Girls Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive season.
DeAnda broke five individual school records and also was part of two record-setting relay teams during her freshman campaign. The season ended with her claiming section titles in the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyles and the state title in the 100 freestyle.
Riverside Poly was elevated to Division 1 for this year’s section finals, and DeAnda was looking forward to stronger competition.
“I have been swimming against those girls for most of my life,” DeAnda said. “It’s always great to compete against the best.”
The Division 1 section finals did not start as DeAnda envisioned, as she was edged out by Fountain Valley freshman Alyssa Ton down the stretch in the 200 freestyle. DeAnda bounced back in a big way, winning the 100 freestyle title by more than a second.
DeAnda was hoping for an immediate rematch in the 200 freestyle, but Ton elected to skip the state meet. However, that did not diminish DeAnda’s competitive drive, and she registered a personal-best time of 1 minute, 45.98 seconds to claim that state title. Later at the state meet, DeAnda successfully defended her title in the 100 freestyle with another personal-best time of 48.27.
“The goal every race is to improve and go faster,” DeAnda said. “And as long as I’m doing those things, I’m going to be happy.”
DeAnda’s best event is the 100 freestyle. She has never lost a high school race at that distance.
So again: how low can she go?
The best swimmer in state history in the 100 freestyle is Abbey Weitzeil, who set a national record in 2015 with a time of 47.09 while swimming for Saugus. The national high school record is 46.98, set in 2020 by Gretchen Walsh of Nashville’s Harpeth Hall.
Weitzeil is a two-time Olympian, who advanced to the final of the 100-meter freestyle in Rio de Janeiro (2016) and Tokyo (2021). DeAnda’s times in the 100-yard free as a freshman and sophomore are about three-quarters of a second faster than Weitzeil’s times her first two seasons.
“When I see that, it motivates me even more,” DeAnda said. “I want to be able to match those or maybe even go beyond that.”
Bill Grisham, Riverside Poly’s veteran swimming coach, said DeAnda has never left him unimpressed these past two seasons.
“I’m just in awe every time,” Grisham said. “To see someone so talented and with a competitive desire to keep on getting better.
“Ava has set some very high standards and goals for herself. … And being around her, I don’t think anything is out of her reach.”
One of the biggest goals for DeAnda is to become an Olympian, possibly as early at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
“That has always been my dream, and I want my dream to come true,” DeAnda said. “I will put the work in to make it possible.”
IE VARSITY COACH OF THE YEAR
Kenneth Clements, Santiago
Santiago extended its league championship winning streak to 18 seasons under the guidance of Clements. The Sharks were impressive in their Big VIII League dual meets, sweeping the competition, including a 111-59 victory over longtime rival King. Santiago also had a dominant showing at the league finals, winning six individual titles and all three relay races to finish atop the team standings. The Sharks finished 11th at this year’s CIF Southern Section Division 1 finals, the program’s best showing since moving to the top division. Santiago had two individual swimmers and one relay team qualify for the CIF State Championships.
IE VARSITY FIRST TEAM
Gwen Asbury, Liberty, So.
Angelica Benitez, King, Sr.
Alyssa Bian, King, Fr.
Spencer Damaske, Upland, Sr.
Ava DeAnda, Riverside Poly, So. (Swimmer of the Year)
Allie Fields, Santiago, So.
Jaydah Godbolt, Hemet, So.
Carolyn Kao, San Dimas, Sr.
Brinley Knoll, Santiago, Jr.
Kaitlyn Lee, Murrieta Valley, So.
Presley McPhail, Riverside Poly, Jr.
Charlotte Milkie, Santiago, Fr.
Riley Ogilvie, Ayala, Jr.
Carlie Rose, Los Osos, Sr. (diving)
Hayley Smith, Citrus Valley, Sr.
IE VARSITY SECOND TEAM
Arianna Akbar, Santiago, Sr.
Isabella Alvarez, Vista Murrieta, So.
Lucy Bilhartz, Riverside Poly, Fr.
Maegan Chow, Diamond Bar, Sr.
Amanda Cotton, Great Oak, Jr.
Brooklyn Green, Fontana. Jr.
Madison Hem, Santiago, So.
Sawyer Hickler, Upland, Fr.
Isabella Le, Ayala, Jr. (diving)
Mackenzie Miner, Redlands, So.
Viviana Perez, King, Jr.
Emma Roberts, Centennial, Jr.
Olivia Savage, Claremont, So.
Emma Steffens, Vista Murrieta, Sr.
Isabelle Suarez, Riverside Poly, Fr.
