The CIF State Swimming Championships marked the conclusion of the season for the San Marco girls team and the end of the high school career for the Royals’ Holly Woodhouse.
The Royals didn’t advance out of Friday’s preliminaries in their three events at Clovis West High, but coach Chuckie Roth expressed his pride on what his swimmers accomplished this season and in their careers.
Woodhead completed her career for the Royals by swimming on the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams at State.
In her time at San Marcos, she was named the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Swimmer of the Year, twice qualified for the CIF Division 1 meet, helped several relay teams to victories and was a force in leading the Royals to three Channel League titles. The team lost only three dual meets in three seasons.
“Holly has made a tremendous impact with her humble presence and hard work ethic,” said Roth. “We will not be as good of a team without her, but she will be our Obi Wan Kenobi guiding us on now that she is gone.
“Her impact will continue on for years to come. Holly will attend Hamilton University and will continue her swimming. I will miss her greatly and appreciate all her time, energy, and commitment to our program.”
The other members of the relay team were freshman Sierra Tallman and juniors Sophia Panossian and Ava Stryker. The 200 relay finished 21st and the 400 relay came in 23rd.
Tallman competed in the 200 free and finished 30th.
‘Sierra had a great season and gained expereince and confidence, both will prepare her for the challenges that lie ahead,” said Roth. “She is the first freshman in our team’s history to qualify for the State Meet in an individual event.”