CIF SS Division III (2021)

Traditionally, CIF will accept 32 swimmers for a preliminary event. Each event has four heats, where swimmers attempt to qualify for the top-16 spots and a chance to return for CIF Finals later on in the week. This year, because of COVID safety protocols, CIF reduced the field to the top-16. These swimmers, in 2 heats, put it all on the line in a single swim. And they did so without fans in the stands. Each team was limited to a single coach to accompany their athletes.

Most, if not all of the athletes are club swimmers, and Lorelei is no different. Lorelei has been swimming with Vikings Aquatics, out of Long Beach Community College since 4th grade. But when COVID struck, many teams suspended practices temporarily. As time went by, teams in Orange County returned to their normal practice schedule. Orange County club teams and schools operate under different Health Department guidelines. Because LA County took a more conservative approach to safety, Long Beach Community College continued to keep Vikings Aquatics out of the pool.

[caption id="attachment_400" align="alignnone" width="400"] The aquatics facility at Santa Margarita HS.[/caption]

Last November, El Rancho's home pool, after 60 years of service, pumped its final gallon of water through its pipes. Numerous leaks and worn-out patch jobs forced the pool to shut down. The District is exploring plans to not only repair, but make the pool compliant to CIF's Waterpolo regulations. Because of the move to distance learning and athletics being canceled, the pool issues were moot. In the Spring, however, LA County followed suit with other Californian Counties, and set new safety guidelines which allowed sports to continue, and Del Rio League/CIF to create shortened seasons and competitions to resume. Water Polo was given two weeks to prepare for a two week season, and then Swimming could begin workouts.

While most of her competition had been practicing with their club teams since the late Fall, El Rancho Aquatics had to wait until the last week of February to get in the water. As mentioned in one of our earlier posts, our hard working Athletic Director and Asst. Principal of Activities managed to secure some water time at Pioneer High School. We were grateful to get three, 2-hour practice sessions. Ten weeks or so later, Lorelei qualified for CIF at Del Rio League Finals, taking the Silver Medal in the 100 Butterfly and the Gold Medal in the 100 Backstroke. Lorelei joined her brother, Carlos Rojo (Class of 2020), and her father, Phil Rojo (class of 1991) as Backstroke champions in Del Rio league.