Chapman Women’s Swim Coach Optimistic Despite Shallow Pool of Talent

Even in the best of circumstances, a competitive swimmer is a tough thing to be. Workouts are grueling--and often monotonous. Red eyes and green hair from chlorine exposure can be a daily part of life.

But swimmers on the Chapman women’s team have some additional obstacles. Most glaringly, the university doesn’t have a pool, so the team works out at nearby Orange High. Of course, the high school has first priority in its pool, which means the Panthers must squeeze in practices at odd hours.

“It would be easier to keep them motivated,” Chapman Coach Pam Gibbons said, “if they didn’t have to practice before the sun comes up or after it goes down. But we don’t have that luxury.”

So it’s no surprise Chapman has had problems with defections. Of the 13 swimmers on the team at the beginning of the season, only five remain. Among those who quit were the three who returned from last year’s team.

Gibbons, however, isn’t discouraged. This is her third season as coach since she started the program in 1993, but her first real recruiting class. Instead of merely drawing from the existing student body, Gibbons brought in two freshmen who swam in high school.

The two, Megan Pelk and Megan McDonald, each have set two school records. Pelk, from Orange High, holds the 100- and 200-yard backstroke records (1:10.24 and 2:34.72). McDonald, from Fountain Valley High, holds the 1,000 freestyle (12:32.69) and 1,650 free (21:39.74) records.

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to build on the two of them for the future,” Gibbons said.

For the present, the team is being helped by Margaret Reilly, a senior who swam at Orange Coast College but didn’t realize Chapman has a swimming program. Reilly has school records in the 200 (2:08.99) and 500 free (5:55.94).

Gibbons says Denise Dahl, a sophomore from Brawley who also plays for the Chapman women’s volleyball team, has the potential to break the school breaststroke records. Carrie Burton, a junior from El Modena High, is the Panthers’ most versatile swimmer.

“I don’t look for her to break any records,” Gibbons said, “but she scores in every meet and that’s important.”

*

Add swimming: Chapman’s final dual meet of the season also will be its first home meet ever. The Panthers play host to Redlands at 4 p.m. Friday at Orange High. The meet was originally scheduled for Redlands’ new aquatic complex, but it wasn’t completed in time.

Gibbons says the Panthers might have a chance for their first victory, depending on how many swimmers the Bulldogs bring. With only five swimmers, Chapman can field only one relayteam.

“Redlands is not a powerhouse like a Pomona-Pitzer or a Claremont, so it should be more competitive,” she said.

*

Raised expectations: Before the season, the Southern California College men’s basketball team was picked to finish sixth in the Golden State Athletic Conference. Early in the Vanguards’ nonconference schedule, Coach Bill Reynolds probably thought that was too high.

However, SCC has surprised its coach, and midway through conference play, the Vanguards (14-8, 5-2) are tied for first place with Azusa Pacific (18-5, 5-2) and Westmont (13-8, 5-2).

“That’s rather exciting,” Reynolds said. “I never thought we’d be in this position halfway through league.

“Particularly when I saw how we were playing early in the year, I think our fears as coaches were justified. But for the last four games we have played extremely well in spurts, and those spurts are starting to take up major portions of the game.”

Reynolds was especially impressed with SCC’s play in the second half of a 76-67 victory at Concordia (15-7, 4-3) Tuesday. “It was the finest 20 minutes of basketball I have seen us play in a long time,” he said.

SCC is doing it even though Kevin Carlson, its best shooter and leading scorer, is banged up. Carlson, who is averaging 16 points, has played sporadically since injuring his shoulder in a victory over Azusa last month.

Eric Walker, the only other player averaging in double figures (14), has been picking up the scoring slack lately. He scored 26 in an overtime victory over Cal Baptist Saturday and 21 Tuesday against Concordia.

But Reynolds says defense has been the key, and credits assistant coach Todd Dixon with helping the players believe in the system.

Saturday, the Vanguards play at Point Loma Nazarene (11-11, 3-4), which beat Westmont by 14 points Tuesday. Concordia hosts Cal Baptist (12-11, 1-6).

Notes

The Concordia women’s basketball team, which will hosts last-place Cal Baptist (7-16, 0-6 in the Golden State Athletic Conference) Saturday, faces a potential showdown on Tuesday with Biola, currently in first place at 12-9, 5-1. The Eagles are 17-6, 4-2, and tied with Azusa Pacific and Fresno Pacific for second. . . . The Chapman women’s basketball team, trying to build its case for an NCAA Division III playoff berth, will host The Master’s Friday and Pomona-Pitzer Saturday. The game against Pomona (13-5) is most important because the Sagehens are a fellow Division III program. The Panthers (9-7) are ranked seventh in the West region. Pomona is ranked ninth. Eight teams make the playoffs from the region.