Girls’ Player of the Week : Weber Dominates 2-A Swim Championships

Denise Weber of Brea-Olinda High School may have worn out her welcome at the Southern Section 2-A swim finals, as far as opposing swimmers and their coaches are concerned.

Since 1986, Weber has won the 200-yard freestyle championship.

“The Dos Pueblos coach told me last year that he wished I was graduating,” said Weber, The Times’ player of the week. “This year, he didn’t even speak to me. I guess he’s tired of my beating his girls.”

Weber beat everybody again this year, and Brea won the Southern Section 2-A championship.

In the 2-A finals Saturday, she won the 200 freestyle with a time of 1 minute, 51.74 seconds, holding off Amy Ward of Trabuco Hills by less than a half second.

Ward was even with Weber through the first 150 yards, but Weber pulled away for the victory.

“I got a little scared,” Weber said. “I looked over after 50 yards and saw this freshman beating me. I couldn’t lose the title my senior year.”

Said Phyllis Curry, Brea-Olinda swim coach, “Denise really didn’t get off to a good start in the 200 this year, but the last 25 yards, she blew everyone away.”

Weber then won the 100 freestyle with a time of 53.52. This season was the first time she swam in the 100, having competed in the 500 freestyle in past years.

“Kim Martin (of Kennedy) is four seconds faster than I am in the 500,” said Weber, who plans to swim for Colorado State next year. “It was easier to switch than make up the time.”

Actually, Weber’s switch was more unselfish than she lets on. Curry says that Weber volunteered in order to fill a weak spot on the team.

“We talked about it before the season started and decided it would not only be the best thing for her, but for the team,” Curry said.

Weber won the 100 freestyle with ease, beating second-place Angel Tristan of Warren by more than a second. Tristan finished with a time of 54.81.

“I’d have to say I’m happy with my performance,” Weber said.

But not as happy as other coaches are about it being Weber’s last year.

TOP PERFORMERS

Terry Carpenter of Edison’s softball team threw a no-hitter against Ocean View on Tuesday and came back on Thursday to strike out 30 batters in 19 innings, but received no decision, against Huntington Beach.

Christy Carolin of Capistrano Valley won the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle. The Cougars won the Southern Section 4-A swim title Friday night. Carolin also won the 50 freestyle last year.

Janet Evans of El Dorado set two national high school records during the Southern Section 4-A swim meet. Evans had a time of 2:00.72 in the 200-yard individual medley breaking the record held by Karin Werth of Mission Viejo (2:01.88) and then swam a 4:37.30 in the 500 freestyle to break the record held by Mission Viejo’s Kim Brown (4:40.04).

Michele Granger of Valencia’s softball team threw two one-hitters last week, striking out 33. Valencia finished second in the Orange League. Granger struck out 15 in a 2-1 victory over Savanna on Tuesday and struck out 18 in a 7-0 victory over Magnolia on Thursday.

Denise Weber

Brea-Olinda High School

Position: 100- and 200-yard freestyle swimmer

Height, Class: 5-7, Sr.

Last Week: Weber won the 100--200-yard freestyles at the Southern Section 2-A finals, as Brea-Olinda won the team championship. It was the third straight year that Weber has won the 200.

Season: Weber has not lost in the 200-yard freestyle in a high school meet this season.