First published in the Aug. 18 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
Athletes from La Cañada High School and St. Francis recently received All-American honors from the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association.
The All-Americans on the lists posted top 100 finishes in their respective races during the 2021-22 academic year and featured six local swimmers.
LCHS junior Ryan Makouar was honored after finishing 49.19 in the 100-yard butterfly, which was good for 98th in the nation. He and his teammates Igor Benderskii, Pierce O’Grady and Braden Beagle were also All-Americans in the 400 freestyle relay with an impressive time of 3:03.83, which was 23rd best. Makouar was also part of the 200 medley relay squad — which included Ryan Silva, Beagle and Benderskii — that posted the 61st best time with 1:32.88.
O’Grady, also a junior, is an All-American after finishing the 500 free in 4:29.29. O’Grady’s time was from his performance in the CIF Southern Section Division I championships, where he was runner-up in the race.
Benderskii, currently a senior, also made the cut by finishing the 100 breaststroke in 55.95.
The five Spartans, who also competed in the state competition, helped La Cañada claim the Rio Hondo League championship and place third in the CIF-SS Division I finals.
St. Francis standout Nathan Kim recorded All-American times in two races. He finished the 100 free in 44.93, which was good for 69th in the nation, and 200 free in 1:39.57, which was good for 92nd.
Kim helped the Golden Knights’ swimming program capture a CIF-SS Division III runner-up plaque.
