After strong regular season performances, both the boys and girls swim teams punched their tickets to the 2025 CIF Southern Section Championships at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC), which was held from April 30th to May 9th. Coming off a stellar finish as Prep League Champions, the boys charged into Mt. SAC with high spirits. In their preliminary meet, the 200m freestyle relay team of sophomore Remick Techentin, senior Justin Lee, junior Brandon Shin, and senior and league MVP Oliver Mann snagged sixth place with a time of 1 minute 28.17 seconds. This time was quick enough to land them a spot in the finals, where they placed seventh. This success, however, did not come without hardship and growth. Junior Akhil Venuturupalli noted, “Despite losing many important seniors last year, our team really came together, finding their roles and performing to the best of their abilities, ultimately solidifying our place in the Prep League and Division II.” Mann, who participated in a total of four solo events in the CIF meet, earned second in the 50m freestyle with a time of 22 seconds and eighth in the 100m butterfly, breaking his own school record with a time of 51.75 seconds. Shin also took 14th in the 50m freestyle and 20th in the 100m backstroke. He will play a major role in the team’s success next season as he glides his way through the pool. The girls team also saw great results in CIF. After taking third in the Prep League finals, the team had five girls participate in CIF Southern Section Division II Prelims. Junior Miki Chan went 34th in both the 200m individual medley and the 100m butterfly. Chan also teamed up with senior Julia Pisano, senior Eden Greene, and freshman Anna Pisano in the 200m freestyle relay, where they placed 32nd. On the springboard, sophomore Sophie Kwei placed ninth in diving. In the individual meets, Julia Pisano, who holds the school record for the 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle, got second in the 50m freestyle and seventh in the 100m freestyle. These scores made her Poly’s only swimmer to go to the CIF-SS State Finals this season, where she swam the 50m freestyle and placed 35th with a time of 24.38 seconds. Julia Pisano, a Davidson College commit, reflected, “Overall, both the boys and girls teams had an incredible year. Both teams qualified individuals and relays into CIF, and both teams had finalists who scored points. More importantly, our team as a whole bonded well, and everyone supported everyone.”