The Tulare Western High School girls swim team made school history this season.
The Mustangs won the 2024 Central Section Division II Championship on May 4, becoming the first swim team in school history to win a section title.
Tulare Western took first place with 215.5 points in the 37-team finals. Reedley was second with 185.5 points and Porterville was third with 168 points.
“That was one of my greatest coaching moments,” Mustangs head coach Jenna McGuire said. “I couldn't be more proud of these girls. They definitely didn't want to win the Valley, so I wanted to see them push themselves and improve their times and get the win. It's the highlight of my career so far to watch.”
Tulare Western did not have any individual champions, but was the only team to qualify athletes in all disciplines at the championship meet.
Lauren Starr led the way, finishing second overall in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25.57 seconds.
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Makayla McGuire also had a strong individual performance, finishing fourth in the 100-yard freestyle.
The Mustangs racked up points by finishing in the top eight in every event except the 100-yard butterfly.
Makayla McGuire, Starr, Lily Babb and Savannah Goodwin placed fourth in the 200-yard medley relay.
Goodwin also placed sixth in the 200-yard freestyle and seventh in the 500-yard freestyle.
Sierra Hodson placed eighth in the 200-yard individual medley.
Star athletes Olivia Machado, Goodwin and Makayla McGuire won the 200-yard freestyle relay at the meet, setting a new school record with a time of 1:43.80.
“This team is very close,” Coach McGuire said. “They're very good friends. It meant the most to this team to say, 'Okay, we did it.' This was the dream team. ” They all worked together so well and loved each other so it was very special. ”
Makayla McGuire also placed seventh in the 100-yard backstroke, and Starr also placed seventh in the 100-yard breaststroke.
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The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Babb, Hudson, Machado and Starr swam and finished in fourth place.
“It's a testament to our depth,” Coach McGuire said. “The big victory for us was to get into the top eight.” [finish] on all three relays. That's a difficult thing to deal with. It's very difficult to get enough athletes to not only participate in these events, but also to swim incredibly well. ”
Makayla McGuire and Gianna Fernandez served as team captains for the Mustangs this season.
Their leadership helped create a positive and stable team personality throughout the year.
“Giana is an incredible inspirational person,” McGuire said. “We call her the director of human resources because she's really the person who goes to all of us and lifts them up and tells them, 'We can do this.'” You can do it. 'She's doing the math in her head and she's always a great motivator. ”
Makayla McGuire, the coach's daughter, served as the team's swimming specialist this season, guiding the team and providing advice and tips on swimming technique.
“She knows a lot about swimming,” McGuire said of her only child. “She's always helping everyone, saying, 'Hey, if you rotate your legs like this, it'll be a lot easier.' This is how you need to start your backstroke.” They have really different dynamics. This whole duo has led the team really well this year.”
