With the beginning of the spring sports season, Encinal’s swim team starts back up again, with sights set on the WACC championships coming up in May. Last season, Encinal placed 6th in the WACC championships, beating San Leandro by just 5 points. 

“I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone on the swim team, JV, Varsity, boys and girls,” said senior Hannah Reid. 

Swimmers like Reid have witnessed Encinal’s swim team growth, along with the addition of some new freshmen. The Jets’ best swimmers from the 2024-2025 school year were current-day senior Kyle Germano, senior Bao Son Nguyen Trong, and senior Mako Kashimura, along with Reid. 

“I’m looking forward to being able to race again,” said Kashimura. “I wasn’t really able to attend many meets last year.” 

Kashimura holds two Encinal swim team records, swimming a 58.83 second 100 meter butterfly, and a 57.12 second 100 meter freestyle. 

The Encinal swimmers look forward to the coming year, with high hopes for self and team improvement.

“I want to break my 100 free[style] record and get a sub-minute 100 free,” said junior Nathan Allen. “I’m most proud of my 50 [meter] freestyle, which is a 27 [second].”

Freshman are also joining swim as the program gains popularity. These freshman have high expectations set for them by coaches and the veteran swimmers.

“I’m really really excited,” said first year swim freshman Kyle Tran. “First year, I’m very happy that I get to swim…I think swim is my top sport.”

The 2026 swim season should be interesting, as returning swimmers aim to break their records, and freshman look to set some records for themselves.