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May 4, 2026

Written by Coaches Masi and Parry

If there were any doubts about how the Martin Luther King High School swim team would finish its season, they were silenced this week at the Big VIII League Championships. In a stunning display of peak performance, the Wolves turned what had been a steady season into an explosive finale, proving that they are a team that rises to the occasion when the lights are brightest.

The most staggering statistic of the meet tells the whole story: 52 swims resulted in 52 season-best times. In a sport where shaving off a fraction of a second is considered a victory, seeing every single athlete on the roster drop time was nothing short of incredible. The championship format seemed to unlock a new level of speed across the board, with some swimmers dropping four to eight seconds off their previous bests between prelims and finals.

The top of the podium was a familiar home for the Wolves. Victor Perez and Alyssa Bian were dominant, each being crowned League Champions in both of their individual events. Alyssa added a third league patch to her collection as part of the 400 free relay, alongside teammates Alyssa Christensen, Chloe Clendenen, and Addisyn Sharpe, who fought through a nail-biter to claim the final league title of the meet. The record books also required an update, as Alyssa Bian set a new League Record in the 100 butterfly with a blistering 55.08.

The excitement didn't stop with the veterans. Caleb Vanderlinden broke the one-minute barrier in the 100 fly for the first time, dropping four seconds from his prelim time in a single day. We also celebrated as Ethan Tan, Jack Roland, and Addisyn Sharpe officially punched their individual tickets to CIF, joining several teammates who had already qualified. Watching the sheer determination from swimmers like Journey Reish, Jamen Iverson, Charlotte Cleary, and Kareem Istwani—who pushed themselves to the limit to secure massive time drops—was a highlight for the entire coaching staff.

Additionally, there was a powerful display of the "Unified" spirit that defines our team. This year, we were incredibly proud to see Gabe Urteaga and Omar Awad take to the pool to represent the Wolves on the league’s biggest stage. Both Gabe and Omar turned in inspiring performances in their individual 50-yard events, but the highlight of the day was a historic first for our program. For the first time ever, the Wolves fielded a 4x100 Unified Relay team, with Gabe and Omar joining forces with teammates Vincent Arias and Jayden Tima. The energy on the deck reached a fever pitch as the four of them moved through the water, perfectly embodying the idea that swimming is at its best when everyone has a lane. Their season isn't over yet, either! We are thrilled to announce that Gabe and Omar will be continuing their journey as they head to the CIF Championships next week to compete once again.

Beyond the 8 CIF Automatic times and 12 Consideration marks, the real victory was the shift in energy. After a mid-season stretch where times felt stagnant and the grind felt heavy, the Wolves rediscovered their spark. The deck was alive with a fun, celebratory atmosphere as the team cheered for one another’s successes.

While the season ends here for most, they leave the water with a sense of accomplishment that only comes from true discipline and sacrifice. For those moving on to the CIF Championships next week, they carry a massive wave of momentum. This team has proven that they don’t just compete—they finish strong. We couldn't be prouder of the heart, speed, and spirit shown by every member of the Wolfpack.

April 16, 2026

Written by Coaches Masi and Parry

RIVERSIDE:   The atmosphere at the Martin Luther King High School pool was a mixture of celebration and nostalgia this week as the Wolves hosted Corona Centennial for Senior Night. This final home meet of the season served as a poignant milestone for our departing seniors—Addisyn Sharpe, Jake Cantrell, Troy Newlin, Emersyn Zink, Vincent Orozco, Penelope Cifuentes, and Catherine Shah—marking the conclusion of their competitive careers in the water they have called home for four years.

While the meet followed a high-energy week at Mt. SAC and Santiago, the Wolves remained steadfast, delivering solid performances across the board. The JV boys continued their impressive trend of significant time drops, and Charlee Hurst reached a personal milestone by breaking the seven-minute barrier in the 500 freestyle. Even those sidelined by injury, like senior Vincent Orozco, exemplified the spirit of the program. Despite being unable to swim, Vincent spent the entire afternoon at the end of the lanes, cheering on his teammates and serving as a model of leadership and character that has defined this senior class.

The true heart of the evening, however, was found in the “Senior Sendoff” speeches. In a sport often measured by hundredths of a second and individual personal bests, it was telling that nearly every senior’s favorite memory was centered on the team. They spoke not of individual trophies, but of the bonds forged during grueling early-morning practices, the shared laughter on bus rides, and the unwavering support they felt from one another during the hardest sets. It was a powerful lesson for the underclassmen in the crowd: while the times on the scoreboard eventually fade, the legacy of how you treat your teammates is what truly lasts.

As the seniors prepare for their final few weeks of training, the coaching staff is hopeful that the younger swimmers will build upon the culture of unity these leaders have established. The meet was a reminder that the “journey” of a season is often more valuable than the destination.

With the regular season dual meets behind them and a record of 4-2 for the girls and 3-3 for the boys, the Wolves now look toward league finals, carrying with them the wisdom and the competitive fire of the Class of 2026.

April 10-11, 2026

Written by Coaches Masi and Parry

The Martin Luther King High School swim team took their talents to the Mt. SAC Invitational this past weekend, stepping onto a bigger stage to face off against some of the toughest competition in the region. Known for its high energy and professional atmosphere—complete with a DJ, announcers, rubber duck throws and a level of "hype" that only a major invitational can provide—the meet was the perfect environment for the Wolves to prove they can handle the pressure of a championship setting.

The weekend was defined by a series of massive time drops and milestone achievements. Chloe Clendenen, Alyssa Bian, and Victor Perez led the way by securing four CIF Automatic times, with Clendenen clocking a blistering 1:56.09 in the 200 free. In total, the team walked away with eight CIF Consideration marks, including a standout performance from Logan Brown. Brown, along with Catherine Shah, both dropped an incredible 11 seconds in their 500 free races, proving that the grueling endurance training of the past few months is yielding major results.

Perhaps most impressive was the group of JV swimmers who stepped up to compete in the varsity-level atmosphere. Athletes like Sophia Shah, Paige MacDonald, and Lillian Grote, alongside a large contingent of the boys' JV squad including Kareem Istwani and Cameron Bobb, handled their nerves with poise. Seeing these younger swimmers thrive against elite competition suggests a bright future for the program and shows that the "big stage" isn't too large for the Wolves.

Beyond the record board, the trip was about the memories that make high school sports special. The long bus rides, the team food stops, and the shared experience of competing under the stadium lights created a bond that will carry the team into the final stretch of the season. As the coaches noted, these invitationals aren't just about the times; they are about building the confidence and chemistry necessary to succeed when league finals arrive. With several CIF standards now securely met, the Wolves return home with their heads high and their eyes locked on the postseason.

April 9, 2026

Written by Coaches Masi and Parry

The Martin Luther King High School swim team traveled to Santiago this week for a matchup that, on paper, went in favor of the home team, but the atmosphere on the deck told a far more inspiring story. While all four squads faced a loss in the point totals, the Wolves walked away having achieved something far more significant: their highest level of improvement and fastest times of the season so far.

The story of the meet was one of collective grit. Because the team was once again outnumbered, several athletes had to push their limits to keep the Wolves competitive. Logan Brown exemplified this spirit, competing in all four of his events within a grueling one-hour window. His willingness to "work through the pain" and race to win in every heat set a powerful example for his teammates. The boys' team, in particular, refused to let the numbers discourage them, staying within striking distance for nearly the entire afternoon.

The Junior Varsity squad provided some of the most exciting highlights of the day, proving that hard work in practice is translating directly to results. Cassidy Smisek and Meera Chaudhari, both new to the sport, showed incredible growth by dropping five or more seconds in their 100 freestyles. Meanwhile, upcoming JV star Eva Kumar delivered a staggering twelve-second improvement in her 100 butterfly, a feat that brought the team to their feet. Peers recognized Mylah Williams and Jayden Tima as "Swimmers of the Meet," not just for their performance in the water, but for the positive attitude and diligence they bring to the program every day.

Coaches noted that while the team still needs to build depth in sprint freestyle races, the willingness to compete is at an all-time high. The big-picture takeaway was clear: every swimmer has the power to make a difference, even if it means stepping outside their comfort zone to swim in an event they wouldn't normally choose. With league finals on the horizon, the Wolves are finding their stride at exactly the right time, proving that their success is measured by progress rather than just the final score.

March 26, 2026

Written by Coach Masi

Logan Brown incorporates the core values of sportsmanship and integrity that define a true Character Counts athlete.  Balancing the demands of high school swimming with his club water polo schedule is a feat of discipline, yet Logan handles this workload while maintaining excellence in the most challenging academic courses. What truly sets Logan apart is his moral compass.  He is a young man motivated by a deep-seated desire to do what is right, demonstrating a level of maturity and respect that earns him the admiration of coaches and peers alike. Logan is unassuming in his ways, but his efforts to stay the course and work to improve have paid off for him as a competitor for our program. He has remained grounded and improved greatly over the past two years moving up the ranks as one of our top League and CIF athletes. With his experience and commitment to success, we expect great things from Logan Brown this season and we are proud that he is committed to being a well-rounded athlete and individual.

April 3, 2026

Written by Coaches Masi and Parry

The Martin Luther King High School swim team faced one of our most challenging tests of the season this week, hosting cross-town rival Poly in a meet that carried a little extra weight as the Wolves swam against Head Coach Leisha Masi's own alma mater. While the final scoreboards reflected a difficult defeat, the numbers only tell a fraction of the story. Facing a Poly roster nearly double the size of ours—including two Division One commits—the Wolves proved that they have th heart to stand their ground against the elite.

Because of Poly's depth, several of our JV standouts were asked to step up and fill varsity lanes. Lillian Grote, Paige MacDonald, Izzy Tovar, and Cameron Bobb all rose to the occasion, sacrificing their individual comfort for the good of the team. This "next man up" mentality kept the contest remarkably tight for the majority of the afternoon, with the boys trailing by as few as two points late in the meet. It wasn’t until the final 200 free relays that Poly’s sheer volume of fresh swimmers allowed them to pull away, but the effort required by our athletes to keep it that close was nothing short of heroic.

The individual highlights were a testament to the growth our program is seeing. Angelo Benitez and Victor Perez both turned in exceptional performances, going stroke-for-stroke against their club teammates from Poly and refusing to back down. On the boys teams, Vincent Orozco (Varsity) and Vincent Arias (JV) were the emotional heartbeat of the deck, bringing a level of positivity and energy that lifted the entire squad. Their enthusiasm was matched by Sienna Ciofi and Sophia Shah, who anchored the JV girls' scoring even after three of their teammates were moved up to varsity.

While the loss feels heavy—especially against a storied rival—the takeaway is one of immense pride. To hold your own against a team with twice the depth requires a level of conditioning and mental toughness that can’t be coached. Our swimmers showed that they belong in these big-time atmospheres. With a busy week ahead at the Mt. SAC Invitational and a key matchup against Santiago, the Wolves aren't hanging their heads; they’re using this experience to sharpen their focus for the final stretch of the season.

03/19/26

Written by Coaches Masi and Parry

The Martin Luther King High School swim team continued their strong start to the season with a clean sweep at home against Norco, as all four squads—JV and Varsity for both boys and girls—secured victories. This meet required a high level of focus and adaptability, particularly as the coaching staff asked several athletes to step into "off" events to combat Norco’s significant roster size and depth.

The Varsity girls faced the tightest battle of the afternoon, trading the lead with Norco throughout the entire meet. King finally gained some breathing room after a strong final relay, though Norco continued to fight back, cutting the lead to just three points heading into the breaststroke. Alyssa Bian and Addisyn Sharpe were vital to the team's success, with Bian remaining perfectly consistent in her events and Sharpe securing a key win in the 50 free with a time of 26.96. Alyssa Christensen also stepped up, breaking the one-minute mark in the 100 freestyle for the first time.

On the boys' side, the Varsity team maintained a comfortable lead from the start, eventually finishing with a decisive 119-50 victory. Victor Perez continued his dominant season, and Angelo Benitez provided a spark with a victory in the 100 backstroke, clocking in at 59.45. The JV boys also saw impressive growth, specifically from Cameron Bobb, who joined the sub-minute club in the 100 freestyle, and Vincent Arias, who fought for a gritty win as the team's lone entry in the JV 200 freestyle.

The overarching theme of the day was team unity and focus. Despite the distractions of an approaching spring break and the unseasonal heat, the Wolves remained locked in from the first whistle to the final touch. This collective effort has kept the girls' season perfect at 3-0, while the boys improved to 2-1, with both teams now sitting at a pristine 2-0 in league play. As the schedule shifts toward even tougher opponents, the coaches are emphasizing the importance of staying sharp in practice to maintain the momentum they've built.

03/11/2026

Written by Coaches Masi and Parry

The Martin Luther King High School swim team traveled to Corona High School for their first away meet of the season, and it was a dominant showing across the board as all four teams—JV and Varsity for both boys and girls—secured victories. This meet proved to be a unique challenge because the Wolves found themselves competing primarily against the clock and their own teammates. To keep the energy high and the competition sharp, the coaching staff balanced the relays to race against one another, a move that successfully forced the athletes to push harder and resulted in several personal bests.

The afternoon was defined by a series of sweeps and consistent first-place finishes, even as many swimmers were placed in "off" events they don't typically race. This versatility is a promising sign for the team's depth as they move deeper into the season. 

The team also recognized "Swimmers of the Meet" Eva Kumar for her encouragement, Paige MacDonald for her resilience through a challenging week, and Kendall Samosky for her positive work ethic. Among the standout performers was Cameron Bobb, whose excellence in his events has him on the cusp of moving up to the Varsity squad. 

Beyond the stats, the meet highlighted a shift in the team's culture. While the season started with some challenges, the coaches are seeing those hurdles diminish as the athletes begin to realize that they perform better when they truly show up for one another. The physical fitness from early-season training is starting to kick in, and the results are showing up on the scoreboard. 

With this win, the girls move to an undefeated 2-0 season record, while the boys improve to 1-1, with both teams sitting at 1-0 in league play.