HEALDSBURG — The combined swim team of Clear Lake and Kelseyville high schools battled Windsor on Friday in Healdsburg for the last time. The dominating Windsor team, a leader in the Sonoma County League, is moving to a different league along with Analy High School of Sebastopol at the conclusion of this season.
Clear Lake/Kelseyville coach Agustin Merodio explained the move will better serve his swimmers by correcting a long-standing problem of small schools trying to compete against much larger teams.
“At this meet, for example, we had five boys and they had 20, while 10 of our girls faced their 19. It doesn”t take a genius to see who is going to win the meet,” Merodio said.
Senior Matteo Merodio didn”t let Windsor”s size faze him as he posted firsts in the 100-meter breaststroke and the 50 freestyle. Merodio remains unbeaten in the 100 breaststroke this season.
“Matteo is the team”s most dedicated athlete,” said Jen Hanson, president of the Lake County Channel Cats. “For the past two summers he has trained with the Santa Rosa Neptunes and when our pool was closed this winter, he commuted to Ukiah to train with the Dolphins.”
Merodio”s hard work has paid off, too, earning him a substantial scholarship to Hartwick College in New York.
Other Clear Lake/Kelseyville swimmers had success against Windsor, including Evan Thompson, who took first in the 100 freestyle and second in the 200 freestyle, and Chelo Lundquist-Krag, who placed second in the varsity girls” 200 individual medley.
Clear Lake/Kelseyville hosts El Molino Thursday at 4 p.m.
“We”re looking forward to that one since it will be an even matchup,” coach Merodio said. “We stand a good chance then.”
The team is also hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser May 6 at the Kelseyville Lions Club on Sylar Lane in Kelseyville.
