After moving to the higher De Anza Division this year, the swim teams kicked off their season by competing in a swim meet at Palo Alto High School yesterday, March 2. The team competed against Palo Alto High School, Los Gatos High School, The King’s Academy, Notre Dame High School, Monta Vista High School and Homestead High School. All four of the Los Altos teams–JV girls, varsity girls, JV boys and varsity boys–competed and took fourth overall, although boys did not compete against Notre Dame.

“The meet was great,” sophomore Dean Gustafson said. “We had great energy and tensions were high. Although we placed fourth, we are ready to take on further teams.”

For girls, the varsity team placed fourth overall after it beat Homestead, The King’s Academy and Notre Dame. The JV girls team placed fifth overall, beating The King’s Academy and Notre Dame.

“It was great to kick off the season with placing fourth against teams that we will being swimming against this season,” varsity swimmer sophomore Ya’el Weiner said. “It gives us a boost of confidence, especially for being in a higher division this year.”

The boys varsity team placed also fourth overall, beating teams from The King’s Academy and Homestead, while the JV boys team placed fifth overall, beating The King’s Academy. The varsity boys team were also able to qualify for CCS in the 200 freestyle relay.

“Some of the boys were feeling a little anxious about competing in the tougher division,” varsity coach Richard Llewellyn said. “I think today should allow them to relax and know that they can compete.”