TCC Southern California Swimming Record Holders

The Claremont Club Swim Team has had success on many levels of swimming — Olympic Trial qualifiers, Senior and Junior National swimmers, U.S.A. National Top 10 Times and Southern California Swimming Records.  We would like to acknowledge our young athletes who have established, at some point, the fastest times in Southern California Swimming History:
5-8 Girls – Short Course
Sonia Wang –  50 butterfly (31.23), 100 I.M. (1:13.22)
Kalyn Keller – 100 free (1:04.06)
200 Medley Relay – Kalyn Keller, Courtney Eads, Jasmina Cheung-Lau, Kelli Keener  (2:31.61)
5-8 Girls – Long Course
Sonia Wang – 50 backstroke (37.59)
9-10 Girls – Short Course
200 Medley Relay – Noelle Tarazona, Samantha Shellem, Vi Nguyen, Jade Berniard (2:04.16)
11-12 Girls – Short Course
Oriana Wang – 1,000 free (10:35.80)
Sonia Wang – 200 butterfly (2:01.97)
11-12 Girls – Long Course
Oriana Wang – 800 free (9:23.36
Sonia Wang – 100 butterfly (1:04.14), 400 I.M. (5:09.89)
15-16 Girls – Short Course
Noelle Tarazona – 200 butterfly (1;57.09)
15-16 Girls – Long Course
Noelle Tarazona – 200 butterfly (2:11.03)
15-16 Boys – Short Course
200 Medley Relay – Kevin Coan, Hunter Sa-Nguansap, Dylan Tarazona, Kyle Coan (1:35.35)
200 Free Relay – Kevin Coan, Jason Haney, Kyle Coan, Michael Haney (1:24.88)
400 Free Relay – Kyle Coan, Michael Haney, Kevin Coan, Jason Haney (3:04.78)
800 Free Relay – Jason Haney, Kyle Coan, Brandon Porter, Michael Haney (6:48.35) 

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Laureano Ortiz :  TCC Swimmer and U.S. Marine

The Claremont Club Swim Team is home to many outstanding young athletes, but none more so than Laureano Ortiz who will be joining the United States Marine Corp.  Laureano is headed to San Diego on June 23^rd for 12 weeks of intense training.  He then will head to Twenty Nine Palms for combat training, and then back to San Diego for recon training for another 9 months.

Laureano was originally planning to join the Naval Academy, but after a field day of training that included crawling in the mud, running through obstacle courses, and carrying his buddies, he decided the Marine Corps would be a better fit.  Laureano had always wanted to join the military, but as a young child he wasn’t sure his parents would support his decision.  As he got older he realized that this was his own decision and he could follow the military path.  When asked, “Why the military?” Lau responded, “I want the opportunity to take the path of most resistance, so other people can have an easier life.  I want to experience a harder part of life, so I can appreciate what I have now.”

Lau has been a member of The Claremont Club Swim Team for the past 3 years. “I think TCC is the best team in the world.  I love the team bonding and I’m going to miss my friends.  I love being around people that care about swimming.  It has been a great experience,” said Lau.  Lau considers the 400 I.M. his best event and always regretted not doing the 50 freestyle more often.

The coaching staff considers Lau the team’s best cheer leader.  He is a great team player and supports everyone.  We wish him the best and we are so proud of him for his dedication to our country.

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Noelle Tarazona Inducted to Claremont Club Hall of Fame

Congratulations to swimmer Noelle Tarazona for her induction to The Claremont Club Hall of Fame.  Noelle is the 11^th member and the youngest in club history to be selected for this special honor.  Noelle began swimming at the age of five and has had numerous swimming achievements in her young career:
Junior Olympic Champion

Western Zone Champion (competed against all-stars from western half of U.S.A.)

Pac-Quad All-Star (competed against all-stars from Canada, Northern California, Oregon and Washington)

CIF Champion in 100 fly and 200 IM

High School All-American in 100 fly, 200 IM (freshman, sophomore, junior year)

Scholastic High School All-American (sophomore, junior year)

Junior National competitor (3% of all U.S.A. swimmers)

Southern California Records in 200 yard and 200 meter butterfly (fastest ever in Southern California Swimming history)

Senior National competitor (2% of all swimmers in U.S.A.)

Ranked Top 10 in U.S.A. (# 1 in 200 yard and 200 meter butterfly)

2008 Olympic Trial qualifier in 2 events

U.S.A. National Youth Team member for past 4 years (selected by USA swimming to represent in her country in international competitions – Australia, Canada, Germany, Spain, Sweden)

2010 Junior Pan Pacific Champion in 200 meter butterfly (competed against all-star teams from Japan, Australia, Mexico, Russia, Germany, etc…)

2012 Olympic Trial Qualifier in 4 events (will compete in Omaha, Nebraska)
Noelle’s future includes graduating from Claremont High School this June with a 4.0 GPA and attending UCLA on a full swimming scholarship this fall.

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Special Swimmer Excels on The Claremont Club Swim Team

There is a place for everyone at The Claremont Club, and on the TCC Swim Team there is a very special place for Renee Bletcher.  Renee is a competitive swimmer, a college student, and a teammate who has autism.  She is 20 years old and has been a member of the Claremont Club Swim Team for the past 7 years.  Renee learned to swim at the age of three and began competing by the age of 5.  “I love to swim.  It’s fun and it keeps me in shape.  The competitions are fun because I can see if I have improved.  I have also made friends on the swim team.”

Renee trains 5 days a week and rarely misses practice.  She attends competitions at least once a month and has achieved blue level times.  “Renee is a joy to coach.  She tries hard and wants to learn.  She faces unique challenges but always gives her best.  She is a valued member of our swim team,” states Head Coach John Ries.

Renee graduated from Walnut High School and currently attends Chaffey College. Her classes include English, Math and Swimming.  In her spare time, Renee loves to play the Nintendo DSL game Pokeman.   She also spends time with her sister, Tara and brother, Eric and her two cats, Cameron and Turbo.

Favorite swim team things:

Birthday treats

Beach Party

Team Banquet

All the nice people

Favorite swimming memory:

Last year dropped her 100 back time from a 1:18 to 1:17

Best swimming race:

When I swam a 1:02 in my 100 free when I was 12 years old

Favorite swimming strokes:

Freestyle and Breaststroke

Renee’s favorites:

Colors – Yellow and blue

Foods – Cheese pizza and donuts

Meal – Lunch

Favorite Cartoon:  Pokeman

Favorite Holiday:  Christmas

Favorite Amusement Ride:  Roller Coasters but not the ones that go upside down