By: Gowri Sunil

News Editor  

Coming off a strong 2025 performance, the Los Gatos High School Swim and Dive Teams have officially begun their 2026 season. The first couple of meets mark the start of what both groups hope will be a season filled with strong competition and improvement. 

 The team had their first meet of the season against Lynbrook High School on Feb. 27. Both of LGHS’ swim teams had a solid start, with the varsity teams and the girls’ junior varsity ending victorious. The girls’ JV team had an especially significant win by over 90 points. The LGHS dive team also delivered a strong performance; senior Ellie Murnin took first-place in the girls varsity division, while teammates Alyssa Ackalloor and Karis Chan, both seniors, earned third and fourth place. Junior Adrian Vieyra, team captain, held down the fort on the boys’ side, placing first in the varsity division. On Mar. 6, the swim teams continued their solid performance, with both girls’ swim teams winning against Gunn High School. Once again, the junior varsity girls delivered a crushing victory, winning by more than 40 points. 

Ackalloor joined the dive team in her senior year, merging her interests in water sports with her prior dance experience. Despite being new to the sport, Ackalloor shared that it has already been “really fun, and because of [the team’s] small size, everybody knows each other.” She noted that the same sense of close-knit community carries on to competitions, where divers from different schools get to know each other better, as their teams are rather small as well. Excited for the future of the team, Vieyra hopes to send more teammates to CCS after being the only qualifier last year. Having a bigger team with consistently strong attendance, Vieyra believes this goal is easily attainable, especially compounded with the team’s eager attitude. 

Senior and captain Kiana Koechlin highlighted the contagious and unique team spirit that drives the LG swim team. As an experienced swimmer herself, who enjoys racing the 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard individual medley, Koechlin emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. She explained that “life is too short to waste it on putting all your energy into negativity and self-deprecation. Especially with swimming, being such a mental sport, you are fully in charge of your mind.” With many newcomers on the team, Koechlin encourages her teammates to embrace each meet with excitement and determination, sharing that “it’s not an easy sport, but if you work hard, it will always pay off, so show up like you own the place and race each race like it’s your last.” She added that the sense of accomplishment and pride felt at the end of each meet makes the hard work all the more worthwhile. 

As the season progresses, both teams hope to continue their early success in upcoming competitions and utilize these opportunities to grow both individually and together as a team.