Hundeby Rides Wave of Success : Woodbridge Swimmer Helps Bring Home Team Title

Chad Hundeby of Woodbridge High School looks back on his high school swimming career and is satisfied.

“I accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish,” said Hundeby, a senior.

Hundeby, The Times’ Orange County boys’ swimmer of the year, accomplished almost everything as a junior.

He set 2-A division records in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events at the 1988 Southern Section championship meets. Hundeby also established himself as an up-and-coming national swimmer.

What was lacking was a Southern Section championship.

In 1988, the Warriors needed only to win the 400 freestyle relay--the meet’s final event--to finish first.

Hundeby led off the race and gave Woodbridge an early lead. The Warriors couldn’t hold it, however, and finished second to Brea-Olinda.

“This year, winning the Southern Section team title was my No. 1 goal,” said Hundeby, who will attend Southern Methodist University in the fall on a swimming scholarship.

“We had come so close last year. I didn’t feel we were owed it or anything like that, but it was something we had to do as a team.”

This year, behind Hundeby’s performance, the Warriors got that title, or at least a piece of it. Woodbridge finished tied for first in the 2-A division with San Luis Obispo.

Hundeby again won the 200 and 500 freestyles and led off the 400 freestyle relay team, which won this year’s race.

“Finishing first is always better than finishing second,” Hundeby said.

Hundeby finished first a lot more this year. In March, he won the 1,000-meter freestyle at the U.S. Short Course national championships. He also won every dual meet race he competed in for Woodbridge.

“I feel I’ve matured this year and become a better swimmer,” Hundeby said. “I learned that you have to believe in yourself.”

As much as he improved as a swimmer, the team’s performance was still paramount for Hundeby in 1989.

“The team was a little more important to me this year than in the past,” he said. “It was my last year, I wanted to enjoy it and help the team reach its goal.”

It did, leaving Hundeby satisfied and a little sorry that it’s all over.

“I’m going to miss high school swimming,” he said. “There was always someone cheering for you. Always someone there to give you a pat on the back. There’s a lot more fun in high school dual meets. I think it’ll get a little more serious in college.”

BOYS’ ALL-COUNTY SWIMMING TEAM

Based on results in Southern Section meets and participation with high school team

Event Name School Time 200 Medley Relay Foothill 1:35.56 200 Freestyle Chad Hundeby Woodbridge 1:38.45 200 IM Gerald Wilson Savanna 1:53.49 50 Freestyle Marcel Rinzler Kennedy 21.31 100 Butterfly Ron Scott Foothill 50.30 100 Freestyle Jeff Anton Brea-Olinda 46.42 500 Freestyle Chad Hundeby Woodbridge 4:25.29 100 backstroke Tom Westcott Huntington Beach 51.57 100 breaststroke John Wester Marina 57.50 400 Freestyle Relay Foothill 3:06.88 Spring Board Diving Brian Earley Mission Viejo 523.85