Irvine’s Kim Is Confident of His Skills

In 1996 at the Southern Section Division I finals, Irvine swimmer Steve Ronson nearly broke the 15-year-old section record in the 100-yard breaststroke.

After the race, Ronson was ecstatic about winning the event, but just shrugged over missing the record set by Newport Harbor’s John Moffet. But after the meet, and after all the medals and trophies were handed out, Ronson offered some insight: Keep your eyes on Daniel Kim, he might be the one.

Kim, then a freshman, is now a senior at Irvine, and thinks he just might be the one too.

“I think about that a lot,” said Kim, 17, who has broken all of Ronson’s freshman and sophomore school records. “I have a lot of respect for Steve, because we used to train together in club swimming and were teammates at Irvine. But I really think I can get it.”

Ronson, who now swims for Stanford, won the event in 55.43 seconds. Moffet’s 1981 record is 55.24.

Before the season started, Irvine Coach Ken Dory didn’t think Kim would have a shot at the record. But in the last couple of weeks, after some meets and watching him in practice, Dory believes Kim might do it.

“I’ve been thinking about this the last couple of weeks,” Dory said. “He looks really strong in his races, and he’s had some very good times.”

Kim won the 100 breaststroke last year at the Southern Section finals in a time of 57.01, off his best of 56.32. But at some recent meets, Kim has clocked a 56, and this was unshaved and untapered.

“Kim has a good chance to break the record,” said Dave Salo, who coaches Kim for the Irvine Novaquatics. “But his mental attitude has hurt him in the past, and that’s something he needs to improve on.”

Kim agrees with Salo’s assessment, believing that the mental aspect is 80% of how an athlete performs. He admits having problems at big meets because he starts to freak out a little. He’s preparing for his third Nationals, and pressure is on.

“It’s a little intimidating for me,” Kim said. “It’s not like a normal meet where the times are separated by seconds. And only in the final heat will the times be close. At Nationals, all the times are close. And there’s so much talent.” Kim said.

Kim said one thing that has helped him is visualization, which he does with his club team.

“Coach Salo makes us lie down and he talks to us. He speaks in a low and calming voice. He tells us to visualize our race in our mind. Our start, the stroke, the finish. This has been a big help for me,” Kim said.

In addition, Salo said it hasn’t hurt Kim to be working out in an environment that includes world-class swimmer Steve West.

“Steve pushes Kim, which is good,” Salo said. “He helps make Kim consistent in his swimming. And Steve offers help.”

Kim said he’s been feeling good and is confident about his swimming. And he thinks he’ll do well at Nationals.

Besides the breaststroke, Kim is also good at the individual medley, in which he has a Junior National time. And recently, by accident, Kim found out that his butterfly isn’t too shabby either.

“I was in a meet recently and I was entered in the 100 [yard] fly,” Kim said. “It’s been a long time since I swam the fly, so it was really surprising that my time (52.60) was just off a Junior National time.”

Said Dory: “Kim is good in all of the strokes. And this helps us a lot, especially when it comes to relays. But just as important, he’s been a leader, and that’s what we need. Someone the young kids can look up to.”

While Kim’s two big goals are to have a great Nationals and break Moffet’s record, he would love to be a part of the team that knocks off reigning Division I champion, Mission Viejo.

“We talk about this all the time. To win [Southern Section) and beat Mission Viejo. I’ve seen their team, and I think we can. We have a lot of talent on this team and I think this could be the year,” Kim said.

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PRESEASON TOP 10

1. Mission Viejo, Can Pelton win his 21st section title?

2. Irvine, Talent and depth.

3. Los Alamitos, Tough in the relays.

4. Marina, Will challenge Griffins in Sunset League.

5. Capistrano Valley, Could cause Mission Viejo problems.

6. Villa Park, Good freestyle relay team.

7. Fountain Valley, Could be spoiler in Sunset League.

8. Santa Margarita, Can’t beat Irvine but will be tough.

9. Laguna Hills, A strong contender in Division II.

10. Servite, Jarrod Cruzat provides the points.