ALL-AREA SWIMMING TEAM : GIRLS’ ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Nicole Beck

SCHOOL: Buena

YEAR: Freshman

SEASON AT A GLANCE: Beck was one of several outstanding swimmers for the Bulldogs, who won the Southern Section Division I title for the second consecutive year, but she was the only area swimmer to break a Section record. Her time of 55.26 in the 100-yard backstroke bettered the previous mark (56.40) by over one second. Alyssa Resch of Dos Pueblos, who set the record in 1993, was in the field Beck defeated. Beck also won the 100 butterfly in 56.47, defeating teammate Liah Kim by .07 second and swam legs of victorious 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams. Beck was named the outstanding swimmer of the meet and competed in Paris two weeks ago for the U. S. Junior National team.

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THE REST OF THE TEAM:

Jennifer Abbey, Flintridge Sacred Heart, So., led the Tologs to their first Division III title with a second-place finish in the 200 individual medley (2:07.46) and third in the 500 freestyle (5:05.19. Gretchen Ballard, Birmingham, Jr., won her fifth City Section title in three years in the 50 freestyle and competed with Beck and Rebecca Gilman in Paris two weeks ago. Heather Bolyan, Saugus, Fr., won the 100 backstroke in 57.48 at the Division II finals and finished third in the 200 freestyle. Rebecca Gilman, Buena, So., repeated her double of 1994 with victories in the 200 and 500 freestyle. Her time of 1:47.70 in the 200 freestyle was the ninth-fastest in national prep history. Rosemary Immordino, Alemany, Sr., capped her prep career by placing sixth in the 50 freestyle and fourth in the 100 freestyle in the Division III finals. Erin Schatz, Buena, Jr., transferred from Agoura and won the 200 individual medley by .51 seconds over Kim and finished second to Gilman in the 500 freestyle. Stephanie Shapiro, Granada Hills, Fr., defeated Ballard in the 500 freestyle at the City finals and won the 200 individual medley. Erin Shaw, Granada Hills Sr., took titles in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly, leading the Highlanders to their first City title. Becky Skyler, Hart, So., helped to Indians to a highest-ever second-place finish in Division II by placing second in the 50 freestyle and the 100 butterfly.