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By Ashley Wu
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Dec. 19, 2008 |
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“He’s that inspirational coach in those underdog movies who always
manages to psych up the team,” junior team member Nicholas Kwan
commented about varsity swimming coach, Art Octavio. “Yelling at us
when the time calls for it, but joking around and telling stories when
we have time to relax.”
Coach Art Octavio has lead the Cardinals through a 12-year winning streak for the boys’ varsity team. He has also contributed to the girls’ varsity team in their success.
After a total of 50 years of coaching and 13 years of serving as a role model for the Lowell swimmers, this is Octavio’s final year before he retires. “We are just looking to make sure that we make this a great season for Art,” junior team member Kevin Lee said. “We want him to leave the way he had hoped Lowell would be and that was to make sure that San Francisco swimming had improved.”
Beside making this year the best for their coach, members of the team come back for the thrill of the competition. “Lowell has been the place where really fast swimmers across San Francisco can come to compete,” Kwan said.
The team has new captains, seniors Stanford Chun, Christina Loo and Randi Robertson. “It seems like Stanford has been working really hard since I’ve known him,” sophomore team member Valerie Khaw said. “Christina Loo is versatile, and she swims different races to meet the teams needs and excels in everything. She places first every time!” Kwan said. The third captain helps team spirit. “Randi is really nice, and she is very encouraging,” junior team member Cerise Tang said. The team hopes to have a successful season.
Come to the new Sava Pool at 11 a.m. tomorrow to watch the team in their first pre-season competition against Lincoln.
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