The Northwood High School Swimming and Diving program announced six captains for the upcoming 2018 season (far left to right) Yulia Gonik (11), Jenna Morley (11), Lauren Hitchens (10), Hunter Hitchens (11), Hwa Min Sim (11), and Collin Press (11). Photos courtesy of Mitch Mallough.
“I'm a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion." - Mia Hamm.
Northwood High School Swimming & Diving announced its captains for the 2018 season at the annual end of season team banquet this week. Voted on by their teammates, the six captains look to lead a program that continues to excel both in and out of the pool for Northwood High School.
Representing the girls's team as captains next season will be juniors Yulia Gonik, and Jenna Morley with sophomore Lauren Hitchens. The girl's team completed a successful season this year, placing 2nd at the Pacific Coast League Championships, and 13th at the 2017 CIF Southern Section D1 Swimming & Diving Championships.
The 2018 boys' team captains include juniors Hunter Hitchens, Hwa Min Sim and Collin Press. The boy's team were champion repeats at the Pacific Coast League Championships, and achieved 3rd at the 2017 CIF Southern Section D1 Swimming & Diving Championships only 11 swimming points from top placing Dana Hills.
“It is a great honor and a privilege to be a captain, especially to be voted on by your peers and teammates," stated Northwood's Head Coach Alex Nieto. "This group of individuals are seen as leaders by their teammates. They are expected to lead by example both in and out of the pool. With this honor comes higher standards and expectations, which they have accepted. They serve as the liaisons between the team and the coaching staff throughout the season, and are expected to continue to help contribute to the continuing growth of this program."
Hunter Hitchens, a junior for Northwood, is coming off perhaps his best season yet in which he set new individual school records in the 50 (20.88), 100 (45.62), and 500 (4:33.60) freestyle events. Hitchens recorded top points for the Timberwolves at the 2017 Pacific Coast League Championships achieving Swimmer of the Meet, and at this year's Southern Section D1 Swimming & Diving Championships. A member of the record breaking 200 free and 400 free relay squads holds the best-time in school history with 1:24.98 and 3:04.04.
Hitchens also was tabbed a 2016 NISCA Speedo All-American and USA Swimming Scholar All-American last year.
The Timberwolves are looking to Hitchens for a season of guidance, leadership, patience, and as an encouraging confidant to lead the boys squad to a greater level
of success and possibly Northwood's first CIF Southern Section D1 Swimming &
Diving Championships title.
Hunter Hitchens - NHS Roster Profile
The Timberwolves' top breaststroker is Yulia Gonik, who was a 1:04.71 in the 100 breaststroke, and a 1:04.82 last season. She also had a strong junior campaign in 2017 taking no time rewriting record books at Northwood, cementing herself firmly in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.71), and part of the 200 medley relay team that now holds the best time in school history at 1:48.79 previously held in 2001. Gonik finished 2nd and 3rd overall at the 2017 Pacific Coast League Championships, and swam two individual events at this season's CIF Southern Section D1 Swimming & Diving Championships setting best-times in the 100 breast (1:04.71) and 200 I.M. (2:06.83).
Expect her to put up some big swims this 2018 season, as she's versatile enough and good enough underwater to compete beyond just the breaststrokes if she wants to. Gonik currently sits 4th in Northwood's all-time school rankings in
the 200 IM (2:06.83).
Yulia Gonik - NHS Roster Profile
Hwa Min Sim, a rising junior for Northwood, recorded a personal best this season in the 100 butterfly with a time of 50.00, the second-fastest time in school history at the 45th Annual Foothill Swim Games. That time places him within range of breaking the current 2014 record next season. Another full second drop is well within expectations for him.
Sim also is part of the record-breaking 200 medley relay team that caught fire at the 2017 CIF Southern Section D1 Swimming & Diving Championships recording the
fastest school time of 1:32.51. Sim has become an integral medley relay
swimmer for the Northwood Timberwolves as his 50 fly split of 22.51 is currently
the fastest on the team.
Hwa Min Sim - NHS Roster Profile
Lauren Hitchens, specializes in backstroke, and currently ranks as the seventh-best backstroke performer all-time for Northwood High School with a 1:01.66. The sophomore is a very important relay swimmer for the Lady T-Wolves, and will likely be included on any relay hoping to qualify for CIF next season. Her top highest-finishing time in the event this season was a 1:01.86.
A multiple varsity sport sophomore she is a forward on Northwood's varsity girls water polo team, and seems to be a natural fit as captain, and of note, full of energy, endless support and fun spirited which is what Northwood's swimmers & diver will hope to capture as a team.
L. Hitchens was recently named the Northwood High School NTV sports reporter covering local school sports as a weekly broadcast, bringing students the
latest information on the Timberwolves with enthusiasm, great storytelling and
reporting.
Lauren Hitchens - NHS Roster Profile
Collin Press, a junior multi-sport varsity water polo standout had a strong showing at the Pacific Coast League Championships as he became the 3rd fastest
50 freestyle sprinter this season with an eye popping 21.37. That 50 freestyle time ranks him the 4th fastest in Northwood program history. The junior filled a vital role for the Timberwolves at the 2017 CIF Southern Section D1 Swimming & Diving Championships as the anchor in the 200 medley relay joining forces to break the school record in 1:32.51.
Press an effective utility player on Northwood's water polo team helped lead last season's drive to CIF quarterfinals, and achieved All-CIF Boys Water Polo Team recognition for 2016.
Collin Press - NHS Roster Profile
Junior Jenna Morley, a talented breaststroker had some solid performances this season that saw her best a 100 breaststroke time in 1:08.95 at the 45th Annual Foothill Games. That swim moves her up the all-time rankings as the 3rd fastest 100 breaststroker in Northwood High School history. Morley's season momentum continued to build as she expanded beyond breaststroke specialty into the 200 IM at the Pacific Coast League finals besting a 2:18.24 that culminated the needed scoring to secure the overall runner-up place for the Lady T-Wolves.
Morley is another natural fit as team captain who has undeniable passion for the sport, and will be focusing on keeping the team caring, helping teammates with training goals, and as always a model of effective consistency.
Jenna Morley - NHS Roster Profile