Coach Steve at Olympic Trials with 2021 TOKYO OLYMPIAN Erika Brown
Coach Steve at Olympic Trials with 2021 TOKYO OLYMPIAN Erika Brown, a Seahawk currently training with the Pro Group at the University of Tennessee. Erika finished 2nd in the 100 free earning her spot to swim the 100 free and the 4 x 100 free relay in Tokyo.
Super Leaque Meet on Demand Video
Pleasanton Seahawks at the 2018 West Speedo Winter Junior Nationals
The Pleasanton Seahawks come in 4th at Nationals!
The Pleasanton Seahawks swim team competes in Moraga
The Pleasanton Seahawks compete in Budapest!
Pleasanton Seahawks Compete at Junior Nationals
Pleasanton Seahawks Compete at Speedo Far Western Championships
Pleasanton Seahawks Compete at US Nationals
Pleasanton Seahawks Compete in Junior Olympics
Seahawks at the 'Swim Cup Eindhoven' in the Netherlands
Pleasanton Seahawks at the 2018 Pacific Swimming Long Course Senior Meet
Speedo Short Course Junior Olympics Championship at PLS
Mar 30 2018
The Pleasanton Seahawks hosted the Speedo Short Course Junior Olympics Championship held on Friday, March 16 through Sunday, March 18 at the Dolores Bengston Aquatic Center in Pleasanton, California. A total of 79 swim clubs representing approximately 912 swimmers (14 and under) were in attendance.
The Pleasanton Seahawks (PLS) swim team qualified 37 swimmers (25 girls and 12 boys) for competition. The girls include Brooke Bennett, Lillyana Caples, Sydney Goldstein, Alexis Mesina, Jessica Tsai, Maria Zhang, Paige Bennett, Faith Carroll, Emily Lau, Kaitlin Lee, Cynthia Li, Florence Lin, Emma Wang, Chloe Xu, Zoe Chu, Aria Harris, Breuklynn Harris, Francesca Hawkins, Olivia Jenkins, Lauren Jhong, Olivia Kim, Sydney Lu, Christina Tsai, Emily Tsai, and Mica Wang. The boys include Aryaa Bhatia, Jeremy Ting, Ethan Wang, Devyn Caples, Yassin Dwidar, Ayan Goel, Hayden Tupper, Samuel Wang, Dominick Wonosaputra, Joey Huang, Ryan Kobayashi, and Ethan Wang.
At the conclusion of the meet, the top performers representing PLS are as follows: Sydney Goldstein (1st place for 100y Freestyle), Alexis Mesina (1st place for 50y & 100y Breaststroke), Faith Carroll (1st place for 200y & 1000y Freestyle), Sydney Lu (1st place for 200y Individual Medley), Olivia Kim (1st place for 500y, 1000y, & 1650y Freestyle), Devyn Caples (1st place for 500y/1000y/1650y Freestyle, 200y Breaststroke, and 100y/200y/400y Individual Medley), and Ethan Wang (1st place for 500y/1000y/1650y Freestyle and 400y Individual Medley). Both Devyn and Ethan, once again, were each awarded the Individual High Point winner for their respective age group.
PLS at the Zone All-Star Developmental Championship Meet
Pleasanton, CA
March 2018
Congratulations to the sixteen Pleasanton Seahawk swimmers that were selected to represent Zone two at the ‘Zone All-Star Developmental Championship Meet’. Each March, Pacific Swimming holds an All-Star meet for swimmers that have been selected to represent their zone from a qualifying meet. The meet is for swimmers ages 14 and under to represent their zone at the Zone All-Stars. There are five zones in Pacific Swimming, Pleasanton Seahawks are in Zone 2. Of the 64 total swimmers from all 5 zones, 16 were Seahawks. The meet took place in Carson City, Nevada on March 3-4, 2018. Representing the Pleasanton Seahawks at the Zone All-Stars: Francesca Lin, age 8 with one new best time; Madison Wainwright (8) 1BT; Dylan Tambuwun (8) 2BT; Kealan Tupper (8) 2BT; Christopher Wang (8) 2BT; Brooke Bennett (10); Lillyanan Caples (10), Sydney Goldstein (10) 2 BT; Alexis Mesina(10); Argun Saini (10) 2BT; Kaitlin Lee(12); Cynthia Li (12); Florence Lin (12); Yassin Dwidar (12) 1BT; Hayden Tupper(12) 1BT and Ryan Kobayashi (14).
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawks for being chosen to represent the Zone 2 All-Stars and for helping to lead Zone 2 to taking first place at the meet!
PLS in China World Cup
Pleasanton, CA
November 2017
The Pleasanton Seahawks had 7 swimmers qualify for World Cup 2017. The meet was held at the 'Beijing National Aquatics Center' (better known as the "Water Cube"), in Beijing, China, the home of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Representing the Pleasanton Seahawks at the "FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup 2017" on November 10-11, 2017 were: Calvin David who swam the 50 meterfree, 200 free, 100 fly and placed 26th in the 400 free. Caroline Eckel swam the 50 free, 100 free and placed 25th in her 100 back. Daniella Hawkins swam the 50 free, 100 free, 400 free and came in 11th in the 800 free. Miranda Heckman swam the 100 free, 400 free, 50 free, and placed 10th in the 800 free. Christopher Jhong swam the 200 free, 400 free, 100 Breast and placed 9th in the 400 IM. Tyler Lu swam the 50 free, 100 fly, 200 free and placed 22ond in the 400 free. Claire Suen Swam the 50 free, 100 free, and placed 19th in her 100 back. The Seahawks had some great swims at this World Cup and were able to see and enjoy visiting The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City and even enjoyed a cooking class while in Beijing. Welcome Home Seahawks, Great job at World Cup!
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawks!
Heckman Competes for USA at World Junior Championships
Pleasanton, CA
September 2017
Miranda Heckman, 16 years old and a member of the Pleasanton Seahawk Swim Team Elite Group, just returned home after representing the United States of America in the Fina World Junior Championships held Aug. 23-28th in Indianapolis, IN. Heckman was part of the 4x200 Free Relay which took 4th place. She also swam the 400 Free in 4:24.91 earning a 26th place finish. The USA World Junior Championship Team, (for females) is made up of the top two swimmers in each event from the 2017 National Championships (not on the World Championship Team) and born between 2000-2003.
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawks and Miranda Heckman!
Pleasanton Seahawk, Maxime Rooney, Competes at World University Games
Pleasanton, CA
September 2017
Maxime Rooney, age 19, qualified and competed for the USA at the World University Games held August 20-27th in Taoyuan City, Chinese Taipei. Rooney a member of the Pleasanton Seahawk USA Competitive Swim Club and swimming in college for the University of Florida qualified for the event by being one of the fastest two university aged swimmers in an event (and not on the USA World championship team). Rooney helped the USA capture Gold in 2 events and Silver in another.
Rooney lead off the 4x100m Free Relay and the team finished in 3:14.01 to take the Gold Medal a head of Italy and Russia. The USA 4x100m Medley Relay also took Gold, where Rooney was the anchor leg in the prelim heat. In the 4x200m Relay, Rooney swam the fastest leg for the US team in 1:47.36, and the team took the Silver medal in 7:12.19. Rooney also swam the 100m Free taking 5th place (49.16) and the 200m Free taking 10th place (1:48.86).
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawks and Maxime Rooney!
Pleasanton Seahawks swim at Junior National Championships
Pleasanton, CA
August 2017
Left to Right - Coach Caitlin DeNise, Lleyton Plattel, Lyon Zhang, Tyler Lu, Daniella Hawkins, Chris Jhong, Jonah Cooper, Ed Smith, Miranda Heckman, and Coach Steve Morsilli
The Pleasanton Seahawks placed 12th at The 2017 Speedo Junior National Championships held August 8-12th at the Nassau County Aquatic Center in East Meadow, New York, where over 250 teams competed.
The men’s relay teams did well, placing and scoring points for the Seahawk team. The 4x200m Free Relay included Lleyton Plattel, Ed Smilth, Tyler Lu, and Chris Jhong, taking 7th; the 4x100m Free Relay with Lu, Smith, Platell and Jonah Cooper took 11th; and the 4x100m Medley Relay with Cooper, Lyon Zhang, Jhong, and Lu took 16th place.
Plattel, 15, had a record breaking swim in the 1500m Free, taking 2nd Place with a time of 15:29.71. This is a new Pacific Swimming Record for the 15-16 boys age group. Plattel is just three weeks into this age group. He had a strong 800m Free (8:11.39) as well, earning him 3rd place overall. Plattel also swam the 400m Free.
Miranda Heckman, age 16, competing well on the female side of the pool, took 4th place in the 400m Free with a 4:13.46. Her 200m Free swim of 2:01.16 earned her 6th place. She also took 16th in the 100m Free.
Jhong, age 17, was strong in his IM swims with a 5th place finish in the 400m IM in a time of 4:25.55, and a 12th place finish in his 200m IM (2:06.66). Jhong also competed in the 200m and 400m Frees and the 200m Fly. Cooper swam the 100m Back taking 14th place with a time of 58.07. He also swam the 200m Back and the 50m Free.
Daniella Hawkins swam four Freestyle events (200m/400m/800m/1500m). Tyler Lu and Ed Smith represented the Seahawks in both the 200m and 400m Freestyle events. Lyon Zhang competed in the 200m and 400m IM’s and the 100m and 200m Breaststrokes.
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawks and these talented athletes!
Pleasanton Seahawks represented at the 2017 US Open Swim Championships
Pleasanton, CA
August 2017
Left to Right - Coach Steve Morsilli, Jonah Cooper, Calvin David, Miranda Heckman, Daniella Hawkins, Maxime Rooney, Chris Jhong, Lleyton Plattel, and Lyon Zhang.
The Pleasanton Seahawks were well represented at the 2017 US Open Swim Championships held August 2-6th at the Nassau County Aquatic Center in East Meadow, New York. The Seahawks placed 14th among American teams at the national level meet.
Maxime Rooney, age 19, had great swims, placing 3rd overall in both the 100m Free with a time of 49.25 and the 100m Fly with a time of 52.45. Rooney will now be focusing on the 2017 World University Games where he will compete August 20-27th in Taoyuan City, Chinese Taipei.
Miranda Heckman, age 16, took 5th overall in the 200m Free with a 2:00.73, dropping almost a second off her prelim swim. Heckman swam a 4:16.44 in the 400m Free, taking 11th place. Her 100m Free was 1st in the D Final, and she also competed in the 800m Free and 400m IM. Heckman will be on her way to the 2017 FINA World Junior Championships held August 23-28th in Indianapolis, IN.
Jonah Cooper, age 17, swam well enough to qualify for the D Final in all three of his races; the 100m Back, 200m Back, and the 100m Free. Calvin David, age 16, had strong Freestyle swims in the 200m Free, 400m Free and 1500m Free where he also managed to be in the top 32 in each of those events. In the Medley events, Chris Jhong, age 17, raced well taking 5th in the D Final in both the 200m IM and the 400m IM. Jhong also swam the 400m Free.
Also representing the Seahawks was Daniella Hawkins (16) swimming the 400m Free (D Final), 800m Free and 1500m Free (29th); Lleyton Plattel (15) swimming the 400m Free (1st in D Final), 800m Free and 1500m Free; and Lyon Zhang (17) swimming the 200m IM (D Final), 400m IM and the 100m and 200m Breaststrokes.
The men?s 4x200 Freestyle Relay took 3rd overall in an exciting swim. The Relay included Cooper, David, Rooney and Plattel.
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawks and these talented athletes!
Pleasanton Seahawks Shine at World Championship Trials
Pleasanton, CA
July 2017
Photo Left to Right - Chris Jhong, Miranda Heckman, Maxime Rooney, and Lleyton Plattel
The Pleasanton Seahawks were well represented by four swimmers at the 2017 World Championship Trials and Phillips 66 National Championships June 27-July 1 at Indiana University in Indianapolis. The top swimmers in the nation competed for spots on the World Championship National Team, the World University Games Team, and the Junior World Team.
Maxime Rooney qualified for the World University Games Team to be held in Chinese Taipei August 23-28 when he placed 1st in the B final of the 200m Free, 100m Free and 100m Fly. These swims qualified him in the 200m Free, the 4 X 200m Free Relay, the 100m Free and the 4 X 100m Free Relay. In the 100m Backstroke, he placed 31st.
Miranda Heckman, 16 years old, made the Junior World Team, which (for females) is made up of the top two swimmers in each event not on the World National Team and born between 2000-2003. Heckman qualified for the team with her 400m Free swim, where she placed 4th in the C Final with a time of 4:14.46. The Junior World Meet will be held in Indianapolis August 23-28. Heckman also had the opportunity to compete in the 200/800/1500m Free events.
Lleyton Plattel, age 14, broke two Pacific Swimming 13-14 age group records, the 800m and 1500m Frees during the meet. He swam personal bests in both, swimming 8:09.74 in the 800m Free and 15:35.36 in the 1500m Free. Those times also earned him the second fastest time in history for 13-14 year olds in both events, placing him ahead of Michael Phelps, who now sits 4th, on both of those two lists. Plattel also swam the 400m Free in 4:02.74. He was the youngest competitor in the distance events in Indianapolis.
Chris Jhong qualified for the meet in three events. Jhong swam the 200m and 400m Individual Medley and the 400m Free. His top finish was the 400m IM, where he placed 46th with a time of 4:34.06.
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawks and these talented athletes!
Pleasanton Seahawks had Two Swimmers Selected to Participate in National Open Water Select Camp
Pleasanton, CA
June 2017
Four-day camp introduces elite distance swimmers to open water discipline
Local Pleasanton Seahawk swimmers, Daniella Hawkins and Miranda Heckman were selected as two of 24 up-and-coming distance athletes for USA Swimming?s National Open Water Select Camp, which was held June 6-10 at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida.
The camp identifies the best distance swimmers in the U.S., offering them a unique motivational and educational experience. The National Open Water Camp is viewed as an integral step for athletes to move from the pool to Open Water, then to the international scene.
"National Open Water Select Camp plays a key role in strengthening Team USA?s open water team at the international level," said USA Swimming Club Development Managing Director, Pat Hogan. "Elite distance swimmers already have the swimming ability, but this camp encourages athletes to explore open water swimming as an additional option to their current pool training to potentially represent the U.S. in international competition."
Athletes will experience workouts in the pool, lake and ocean, in addition to educational sessions throughout the four-day camp. Athletes will learn open water strategies, technique, nutrition, recovery and more from elite open water coaches.
The swimmers were selected based on times from the 2016 season; eight men and eight women were chosen using the top 1500 times of the year, while four men and four women were selected based on the results of the 2016 5-kilometer National Open Water Championships.
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawks and these talented athletes!
Pleasanton Seahawks Break Records at 2017 CIF State High School Championship
Colvis, CA
May 2017
Three Pleasanton Seahawk swimmers broke three records last weekend at the 2017 CIF State Swimming & Diving Championships May 19-20, 2017 at Clovis West High School in Clovis, California. Many Seahawk swimmers, representing multiple local high schools, also placed in the finals (top 8) or the consolation finals (top 9-16) of the two day meet.
Miranda Heckman, a sophomore, took the title of champion in both the 200 Free and the 500 Free. Her time of 4:41.53 in the prelim swim of the 500 Free on Friday broke the state meet record, seeding her first in finals on Saturday, where she went on to win the race at 4:45.28. In the 200 Free, Heckman also took first place with her time of 1:47.21.
For the boys, Calvin David, a sophomore, broke the 500 Free meet record in Saturday’s Finals, swimming to first place and the record in 4:21.66. David also placed 10th in the 200 Free with a 1:38.31. Jonah Cooper, also a sophomore, had a record breaking performance in the 100 Backstroke. He broke the record in his prelim swim on Friday (47.57) and then broke his own record again during Saturday’s Finals with a time of 47.34.
Other Seahawks placing at the meet include Chris Jhong, a Junior, who placed 2nd in the 200 Individual Medley with a 1:47.34. Jhong also placed 6th in the 500 Free with a time of 4:28.11. Another Seahawk swimming well in the 500 Free was freshman Lleyton Platell, who took 3rd Place, swimming the race in 4:27.00. Making Finals in the 100 Breaststroke was Lyon Zhang, a senior, taking 8th with a time of 56.30. Zhang also swam the 200 IM with a time of 1:51.07, giving him 10th place. Tyler Lu, a sophomore, finaled and took 8th in the 500 Free (4:29.25) and made consolation finals in the 200 Free, taking 12th (1:39.47). Senior Ed Smith raced to an 11th place finish in the 200 Free with a 1:39.23.
For the females, Daniella Hawkins, a sophomore, took 6th place in the 500 Free with a 4:51.29. Hawkins also made finals in the 200 free, finishing in 8th place, swimming it in 1:51.12. Claire Suen, a freshman making her first appearance at the state meet, swam the 100 Free in 51.04, winning the consolation finals and taking 9th place.
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawks and these talented athletes!
2017 Graduating Seniors
Pleasanton, CA
May 2017
Pictured (left to right): Ed Smith (Columbia University), Sofia Moufarrej (Cal State East Bay), Brandon Brown (University of the Pacific), Jessica He (Columbia University), Lyon Zhang (Northwestern University).
The Senior and Senior Elite groups of the Pleasanton Seahawks competitive USA Swim Club have 5 seniors graduating with the class of 2017 from local high schools. All of them will go on to attend colleges throughout the country and have made commitments to swim for those schools. These swimmers have enjoyed being a part of the Seahawk family.
Brandon Brown (Tracy High School) has been a part of the Seahawks for the past 6 years. Brown is excited to be attending the University of the Pacific majoring in Biological Sciences and swimming distance for the Tigers. He loved the competitive nature and hard work that goes into being a Seahawk, and coming to practice and being able to race every day. He remembers getting that first sectional cut, the big hug from his coach and his positive reinforcement, and the importance of never giving up.
Jessica He (Mission San Jose High School) will be attending and swimming for Columbia University in New York where she will be studying Financial Economics with a concentration in Business. When speaking of swimming she said, “as soon as I jump in the pool, all my stress from school and elsewhere can be temporarily put aside. I love challenging myself daily and doing what I love with so many people that I love.” She appreciates the team atmosphere and the support she feels at meets and at practice.
Sofia Moufarrej (Granada High School) will be studying Business at Cal State East Bay while also swimming for the Pioneers. After her bachelor’s degree she hopes to continue her education in culinary school to become a pastry chef. She has been a Seahawk for the last 3 years and said that swimming has taught her persistence, determination, patience and hard work. She enjoys, "the thrill of racing, the explosive feeling, and looking at the clock after a race and knowing that an entire season has paid off."
Ed Smith (Dublin High School), will also be swimming for Columbia University in New York, and hopes to study either Biology or Computer Science. Smith’s favorite Seahawk memory is traveling with the team and getting to spend time with his best friends. “The opportunity to travel to whole different places and swim against some talented and well-renowned athletes is amazing.” Swimming has taught him his limits both physical and mental, and has helped him to learn the value of teamwork and friendship.
Lyon Zhang (Mission San Jose High School) has committed to attend and swim for Northwestern University in Illinois. He is thinking about studying Economics or Applied Math. When asked about what he enjoyed most about being a Seahawk he said, "constantly being around those with similar goals and aspirations. I enjoyed the friendships swimming has led to the most.” He also commented that through swimming he realized that your peers have a huge impact on your own motivation and success."
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawk class of 2017! Best of luck in your exciting futures!
2017 Dutch Nationals
Eindhoven, Netherlands
April 2017
Coach Steve and Lleyton Plattel at the Dutch Nationals in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Lleyton finished 6th in the 800 free, 10th in the 400 free, and 6th in the 1500 free. He set new 13-14 PacSwim records in the 800 and 1500 m freestyles.
Congratulations Lleyton Plattel!
2017 Speedo Far Western Championships
Pleasanton, CA
March 30 - April 02, 2017
Over 1,600 of the fastest age group swimmers from around the nation converged on Pleasanton, California for the 2017 Speedo Short Coarse Far Western Championships March 30 through April 2. Teams from as far away as Iowa, New Mexico and Colorado participated in the meet at the Delores Bengtson Aquatic Center. Jeremy Anderson, head age group coach for the Southern California Santa Clarita team, said that he brought his kids here because of the history of the meet. "It is considered the most competitive age group swim meet in the world. We want to be a part of it. You have something amazing and awesome here," he said.
The Pleasanton Seahawks were well represented at the meet, sending 69 qualified swimmers. The meet has preliminary swims in each event with the top 10 swimmers making finals. Three of the Seahawk swimmers made finals in all 7 of their events: Devyn Caples, Sydney Lu and Ethan Wang. Caples, age 10, took 1st in both the 100 & 200 yard IM’s. He placed 2nd in his other 5 events, the 100/200/500 yd. Free’s and the 50 & 100 yd. Breaststrokes. Lu, age 12, took 1st in the 50 yd. Fly, 2nd in the 50 yd. Breaststroke, and 3rd in the 100 yd. Fly. She also placed in the 100 & 200 yd. Breaststrokes and the 200 & 400 yd. IM’s. Ethan Wang took 3rd in the 1000 yd. Free and the 400 yd. IM. Wang also placed in the 200/500/1650 yd. Frees, the 200 yd. Backstroke, and the 200 yd. IM.
In the 10 & Under Girls division, Alexis Mesina, age 9, made finals in the 100 yd. Breaststroke, going a best time of 1:16.49 and placing 6th. The 10 & U Girls Relay took 8th in the 200 yd, Medley Relay and 9th in the 200 yd. Free Relay. The 11/12 Girls 200 Free Relay took 7th and the 11/12 Boys 400 yd. Medley Relay took 7th.
Local swimmers, not attached to a team, with notable swims include Lleyton Plattel (14) taking 1st in the 500 yd. Free and Alex Ren (14) taking 1st in the 1000 yd. Free. In the 15/16 Girls Miranda Heckman took 1st in the 500 yd. Free and 2nd in the 1000 yd. Free, with Daniella Hawkins taking 1st in the 1000 yd. Free. Calvin David took 1st in both the 500 & 1000 yd. Free?s in the 15/16 Boys, while Tyler Lu in the same division took 1st in the 200 yd. Fly and 2nd in the 500 yd. Free. The Girls 17/18 division had Jessica He take 2nd in the 200 yd. Fly. The Boys 17/18 swimmers did well with a number of fast swim: Chris Jhong took 1st in both the 500 & 1000 yd. Free?s and 2nd in the 200 yd. Fly, Jonah Cooper took 1st in the 100 yd. Backstroke and 3rd in the 200 yd. Fly, Lyon Zhang took 3rd in both the 100 yd. Breaststroke and the 1000 yd. Free, Brandon Brown took 3rd in the 200 yd. Free, and Ed Smith took 3rd in the 500 yd. Free.
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawks and these talented athletes.
2016 Winter Nationals
Pleasanton, CA
January 7, 2017
Pictured L-R: Chris Jhong, Miranda Heckman, Lyon Zhang, Daniella Hawkins, Lleyton Plattel
The Pleasanton Seahawks sent five qualified swimmers to the AT&T Winter National Championships held in Atlanta, Georgia last month (Nov. 30-Dec. 3, 2016). Christopher Jhong, 16, led the Seahawks earning 22 team points with an 8th place finish in the 400 yd. IM, 10th in the 200 yd. IM, and 13th in 200 yd. Fly. Jhong swam personal bests in all three of his races. Miranda Heckman, 15, was the top Seahawk female with an 8th place finish in the 500 yd. Free, 14th in the 200 yd. Free and 16th in the 1650 yd. Free, earning 15 points for the team.
Also swimming for the Seahawks was Daniella Hawkins, 15, who dropped over 14 seconds in her 1650 yd. Free to take 13th place. Hawkins also swam the 200/500 yd. Free events. Lyon Zhang, 17, swam a best time in the 100 yd. Breaststroke. He also swam the 200 yd. Breast and 200 yd. IM. The youngest Seahawk representative at age 14, Lleyton Plattel, swam the 500 yd. Free and the 1650 yd. Free, swimming a personal best in his 500 yd. Free.
The Seahawks successfully placed 15th at Winter Nationals.
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawks and these talented athletes.
2016 World Cup in Singapore
Pleasanton, CA
November 06, 2016
Pictured L-R: Christopher Jhong, Calvin David, Miranda Heckman, Daniella Hawkins, Jessica He, Tram Nguyen, and Lyon Zhang
The Pleasanton Seahawks Swim Club sent 7 swimmers to the World Cup in Singapore, October 21-22. For the Seahawk women: Daniella Hawkins swam the 100 free, 200 free, 400 free (10th place), and 800 free. Jessica He swam 50/100 free and 100 back. Miranda Heckman swam 100 free, 200 free (9th place), 400 free (7th place), and 800 free. Tram Nguyen swam 50/100 free, 50 fly and 100 fly (6th place).
For the Seahawk Men: Calvin David swam 100/400/1500 free. Christopher Jhong swam the 200 back, 100 free, 200 IM (5th place) and 400 IM. Lyon Zhang swam 50 breast, 200 breast (8th place), and 200 IM.
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawks and these talented athletes.
2016 Pac Swim Banquet
Pleasanton, CA
October 11, 2016
Pictured L-R: Lleyton Plattel, MacKenzie Lee, Tyler Lu, Miranda Heckman, Chris Jhong, Claire Suen, Calvin Davis, Elizabeth Balicanta
The annual Pacific Swimming Awards Banquet took place on Saturday, October 8th, at the Embassy Suites in Milpitas. Swimmers, parents and coaches from throughout the LSC joined to enjoy dinner and awards.
Pacific Swimming, the third largest of USA Swimming's 59 regional associations, is made up of 120 swim clubs and more than 16,000 swimmers. The Pacific Swimming territory includes Northern California from Monterey to the Oregon border, the Stockton-Modesto area of California's Central Valley, and the Reno-Carson City-Lake Tahoe area on the California-Nevada border. The following is a list of the Pleasanton Seahawks award recipients.
Lleyton Plattel won Outstanding Male Swimmer award for both short course and long course in the 13 year old age group. Lleyton was also nominated for Age Group Male Race of the Year award for his 800 meter freestyle (8:26.93).
The Pleasanton Seahawks 13-14 200 meter freestyle relay team consisting of Tram Nguyen, Claire Suen, Mackenzie Lee and Elisabeth Balicanta were nominated for the Age Group Female Relay of the Year award.
Miranda Heckman won 3 individual awards; Outstanding Female Swimmer award for both short course and long course in the 14 year old age group, long course for 15 year old age group, and Age Group Female Race of the Year award for her 500 yard freestyle (4:43.04). Miranda was also nominated for the Senior Female Swimmer of the Year award.
Calvin David won Outstanding Male Swimmer award for short course, 15 year old age group.
Christopher Jhong won Outstanding Male Swimmer award for long course, 15 year old age group.
Maxime Rooney won 4 individual awards; Outstanding Male Swimmer award for both short course and long course in the 17 year old age group, Senior Male Race of the Year award for his 200 Freestyle (1:33.82), and Senior Male Swimmer of the Year award.
Coach Steve Morsilli won Senior Coach of the Year award.
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawks and these talented athletes.
2016 Summer Juniors and US Open
Pleasanton, CA
August 20, 2016
Pictured L-R: The Summer 2016 National/Junior National Team. Lyon Zhang, Edward Smith, Christopher Jhong, Jonah Cooper, Christie Chong, Lleyton Plattel, Tram Nguyen, Miranda Heckman, Daniella Hawkins, and Maxime Rooney (not pictured).
The Pleasanton Seahawks sent 9 swimmers to the 2016 Speedo Junior National Championships which took place August 8-12. The nation’s top 18-and-under swimmers gathered at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. The top 24 are sent to A, B and C finals.
For the PLS women: Christie Chong swam 100 back, 200 back -18th place, 200 IM. Daniella Hawkins swam 400 free - 23rd place, 800 free -19th place, 1500 free -12th place. Miranda Heckman swam 100 free - 9th place, 200 free -2nd place, 400 free - 9th place, 800 free – 13th place, 1500 free – 15th place. Tram Nguyen swam – 50 free - 20th place, 100 free, 200 free, 100/200 fly.
Womens 400 free Relay
The 400 Free Relay Team of Heckman, Nguyen, Hawkins and Chong placed 7th.
Womens 800 Free Relay
The 800 Free Relay Team of Hawkins, Heckman, Nguyen and Chong placed 4th.
For the PLS men: Jonah Cooper swam 100 back – 17th place. Christopher Jhong swam 400 free, 200 IM, 400 IM – 13th place. Lleyton Plattel swam 400 free – 22nd place, 1500 free – 10th place. Edward Smith swam 200/400 Free, 200 IM. Lyon Zhang swam 100 breast 23rd place, 200 breast – 7th place, 200 IM, 400 IM – 16th place.
Mens 400 Medley Relay
The 400 Medley Relay of Cooper, Zhang, Jhong, and Smith placed 14th.
U.S. Open Swimming Championships
The Seahawks sent 4 swimmers to the 2016 U.S. Open Swimming Championships Aug 2-6, also held at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis.
For the Women: Christie Chong swam 100/200 back, 200 IM. Miranda Heckman swam 100 free – 15th place, 200 free – 12th place, 400 free – 20th place, 800 free – 10th, 400 IM.
For the Men: Christopher Jhong swam 400 free – 24th, 200 IM – 13th, 400 IM – 15th. Maxime Rooney swam 100 Free – 9th, 200 free – 6th, 100 fly – 9th.
Congratulations to these athletes. Go Seahawks.
Pleasanton Seahawks Graduating Seniors 2016
Pleasanton, CA
July 1, 2016
The Pleasanton Seahawks competitive USA Swim Club has 12 seniors who will graduate with the class of 2016 from local high schools. All of them will go on to attend colleges throughout the country. These swimmers have grown up as part of the Seahawk family, with a few swimming for the team for as many as 8-10 years.
Christie Chong (San Ramon Valley High School) has swum 3 years with the Seahawks. She will have the opportunity to swim at Olympic Trials this summer and then will attend Princeton University to swim for the Tigers. “I have learned how to put in 100% of my effort in all areas of life, how to enjoy my achievements and how to learn from my mistakes, “said Chong. She also said, “There is no other group I would rather spend 19 hours a week with. I love them all very much.”
Alex Gilchrist (Amador Valley High School), a Seahawk for 8 years, has committed to attend and swim for the University of California San Diego. When asked about swimming for the Seahawks he said, “I am going to miss it very much. All the coaches I have worked with have taught me so much, and I am thankful for all they have done. I will really miss being a Seahawk…but then again, once a Seahawk always a Seahawk!”
Also attending the University of California San Diego and swimming for them will be Tori Kaleta (Granada High School) who swam 3 years with the Seahawks. Swimming is hard work and she remembers how Coach Steve always pushed her very close to her breaking point but how it always paid off in the end. Kaleta’s favorite thing about swimming, “I love the way it feels to be in the water.”
Six year swimmer Chris Lee (Dougherty Valley High School) hopes to study Biology as a Pre-Med student. Being a Seahawk has provided Lee with some amazing teammates/friends and he has enjoyed competing with them. He said that swimming has taught him “that it’s okay to fail and that I should fail, to get stronger and better.”
Caitlyn Plattel (Amador Valley High School), a Seahawk for the last 4 years, will study Biology with a Pre-Med path while also swimming for the University of California San Diego. She has learned through swimming to “always do something that you love, push your body to limits you didn’t know, and you will achieve more than you ever believed you could. I also learned how to be a leader and role model in and out of the pool.” She enjoyed being a Seahawk because, “the team is truly a home away from home; they become your family.”
Maxime Rooney (Granada High School) has been a part of the Seahawks for 10 years. After competing in Olympic Trials this summer, he will be attending and swimming for the University of Florida in the Fall. “I enjoyed every day of being a Seahawk. I’m really grateful to have met a lot of amazing people that have impacted my life in many positive ways, making myself a better swimmer, student, son, and man of God,” he said. When speaking of swimming, Rooney said he enjoys being able to do what he loves every day and enjoys the feeling of freedom and full expression he experiences in the water.
Pepperdine University will be adding 4 year Seahawk, Ryanne Skinner (Foothill High School) to their swim team as well as to their Political Science major as she has aspirations to be involved in law. Skinner said, “I love the “swimmer’s high.” The feeling you get after a race where all the hard work has payed off.” Swimming has taught her to be responsible while juggling school and swim, and how much determination it takes to be the best.
Part of the team for 5 years is Nathaniel Sproul (Granada High School) who will be majoring in Marketing at UC San Diego. Getting to swim Halloween Relays in costumes with Coach Todd is something Sproul will never forget. He will also never forget, “The special relationship we all have; grinding through sets together as a group produces unique friendships.”
Kennedy Truex (Foothill High School) will be attending and swimming for Michigan State University studying Political Science with a pre-law track. Truex swam with the Seahawks for 3 years. Her favorite memory was achieving her Winter Junior National cut and traveling to Austin Texas, making great memories with her teammates.
Preston Tsang (Tracy High School) a 2 year Seahawk will major in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue. Tsang said that what he enjoys about swimming is “the drive that keeps you going despite the wins and losses.” He enjoys his teammates and said, “Swimming has taught me to be an upright and disciplined individual while demonstrating that work can translate to success.”
Katie Woods (Livermore High School) has been with the team for 8 years. She will be attending and swimming for Texas Christian University. Woods loved going to away meets like Sectionals because it was so much fun and everyone got along so well. She said, “It’s just a great team.” Woods enjoyed training with her best friends and said, “I love everyone in the group and can’t imagine not training with them.”
Attending Florida Atlantic University and swimming there will be Danielle Zacharias (San Ramon Valley High School). In her 5 years with the team she learned that “nothing comes easy and that hard work pays off, even if it doesn’t appear to. Being a Seahawk has taught me that being average is unacceptable and that you must do what others are unwilling to do so you can succeed.”
Many of the swimmers favorite memory was their first place finish at the December 2015 California Nevada Sectional meet in Southern California. The meet was very competitive and they loved having such a large group qualify to attend, being so close as a team, cheering for each other, and hearing their name announced as “Champions!”
Congratulations to the Pleasanton Seahawk Class of 2016! Best of luck in your exciting futures!
Pleasanton Seahawks break records at Far Western
Pleasanton, CA
March 31 - April 3, 2016
The Pleasanton Seahawks USA swim club hosted the 2016 Spring Short Coarse Far Western Swimming Championship March 31 – April 3. Since 1925 the Far Western Swimming Championship has provided one of the fastest and most prestigious venues for USA Swimming. Athletes from across the United States, Mexico and Canada travel to the area to compete. The Seahawks hosted approximately 1100 swimmers, 50 of them were qualified Seahawk swimmers, with 7 records falling to Seahawk swimmers.
The top performance for the Seahawks was Miranda Heckman taking first place in all 7 of her events. She earned the High Point Award for the 13/14 girls with 77 points. In the process, she broke 5 Far Western Meet Records including the famous Natalie Coughlin’s 1650 yard free. Heckman swam a 16:28.51 beating Coughlin’s 16:38.44, which had stood since 1997. Her new 1650 yd. free time is also a new Pacific Swimming Record and a Pleasanton Seahawk Team Record. Another huge swim was Heckman’s 500 yard Free (4:44.09) also a Pacific Swimming Record, Far Western Meet Record and Seahawk team record. Two other swims by Heckman were Far Western and Pleasanton Seahawk team records, the 200 yard Free (1:47.65) and the 400 yard IM (4:15.91). Heckman’s fifth Far Western record came in the 1000 yard Free with a time of 9:50.84. Heckman still managed to break one more Seahawk team record; it came in the 100 yard Free with a time of 50.23. Her 7th First Place finish came in the 200 yard IM with a time of 2:04.79.
Maxime Rooney, a National Team member and a Seahawk, swam to a new Far Western Record and 3 first place finishes in the 17/18 Boys division. His first place finish in the 200 yard fly (1:44.94, dropping 7.12 seconds) is a new Far Western Meet Record. Rooney also took 1st in the 500 Free (4:26.24) and the 50 yard Free, swimming a very fast 20.84. He dropped time in both the 100 yard Back (49.17) and 200 yard IM (1:51.54), taking 2nd place in both. Also placing for the Seahawks in the 17/18 Boys was Alex Gilchrist in the 200 yard IM (1:58.58) for 4th and the 200 yard Fly (1:57.12) earning 8th.
In the 17/18 Girls Christie Chong took 2nd in the 1000 yard Free (10:23.47), 5th in the 500 yard Free (5:03.03), 6th in the 100 yard Back (56.36), 8th in the 100 yard Breast (1:06.35), 9th in the 200 yard IM (2:07.53). Samantha Howell took 3rd in the 1000 yard Free with a time of 10:25.66. Katie Woods took 5th in the 1000 yard Free and 8th in the 500 yard Free. Danielle Zacharias took 4th in the 1000yd. Free and 10th in the 500yd. Free. Placing 10th in the 100 yard Breast was Tori Kaleta.
The 15/16 Boys were well represented. Lyon Zhang earned a Far Western Meet Record and 1st place finish in the 200 yard Breast with a time of 2:00.57. Zhang took 3rd in the 100 yard Breast (57.71) and the 400 yard IM, and also placed 7th in the 200 yard Back. Chris Jhong took 2nd in both the 200 yd. Fly (1:50.33) and the 200 yd. IM (1:50.76) dropping time in both. He placed 3rd in the 1000 yd. Free, and 5th in the 100 yd Back. Ed Smith took 7th in the 1000 yd. Free, 8th in the 500 yd. Free and the 200 yd. Fly, and 10th in the 100 yd. Breast. Swimming a 1:43.22 in the 200 yd. Free earned Tyler Lu 2nd place; he also took 8th in the 100 yd. Free. Brandon Brown took 8th in the 1650 yd. Free and Nick Skinner took 10th in the 1000 yd. Free.
In the 15/16 Girls Seahawk swimmer Jessica He swam well. She took 2nd in the 500 yd. free (5:00.26), 4th in the 200 yd. Free (1:52.60) and the 100 yd. Free (51.82), and 9th in the 200 yd. IM (2:08.49). Daniella Hawkins took 1st in the 1000 yd. Free swimming a quick 10:03.64 and 1st again the 500 yd. Free with a time of 4:58.31. In the 1650 yd. Free Emma Valentine took 4th and she took 10th in the 1000 yd. Free.
Lleyton Plattel earned 44 points for the team in the 13/14 Boys with fast swims. He finaled in 5 events, dropping time in all 5. He took 1st in the 1650 yd Free (15:58.91) and the 1000 yd. Free (9:36.90). He took 2nd in the 500 yd. Free (4:41.17), 4th in the 100 yd. Free (49.01), and 5th in the 200 yd. Free (1:45.28). Calvin David took 1st in the 500 yd. Free with a time of 4:38.01 and took 2nd in the 1000 yd. Free in 9:49.60. In the 200 yd. Back, Alex Ren placed 6th and Ren took 7th in the 400 yd. IM.
In the 13/14 Girls, besides Heckman, the Seahawks had 4 others place. Claire Suen took 1st in the 200 yd. Back (2:03.46), 5th in the 200 yd. Free (1:53.25), and 6th in the 1650 yd. Free. Mackenzie Lee placed 6th in the 100 yd. Back and 7th in the 200 yd. Back. Ellen Wang went 2:24.73 to take 6th in the 200 yd. Breast, and Carloline Eckel went 53.61 in the 100 yd. Free taking 8th.
The 11/12 Boys and Girls each had one Seahawk place. Sydney Lu took 6th in the 100 yd. Fly (1:00.89) and Ryan Kobayashi took 8th in the 50 Fly (27.25). The 10 & Under Girls had a 9th place finish from Paige Bennett in the 100 yd. Breast.
In the Relays, The 13/14 Girls 400 Medley Relay (Lee, Wang, Gwyneth Wong and Suen) took 2nd with a time of 3:58.36. The same group of girls took 4th in the 400 yd. Free Relay. The PLS A 200 yd. Free Relay with Lee, Wang, Wong and Emily Chen took 8th. The 13/14 Boys 400 yd. Medley Relay with Justin Tsai, Gregory Quach, Ren and Plattel took 7th in 3:49.84. In the Girls 10 & Under 200 yd. Medley Relay the PLS A team of Alexis Mesina, Bennett, Faith Carroll, and Jasmine Phan took 8th in 2:15.09.
Congratulations Seahawk Swimmers on some great swims. The team will continue to work hard as they target their next meets. Go Seahawks!
Arena Pro Swim Series
Austin, TX
January 15 - 17, 2016
The Pleasanton Seahawks sent 3 elite swimmers to the Arena Pro Swim Series in Austin, TX January 15-17th. Chris Jhong, Miranda Heckman and Maxime Rooney each swam a full schedule against some of the fastest swimmers in the nation.
Go Seahawks!
Speedo Champions Series CA/NV Winter Sectionals
Southern California
December 18 - 21, 2015
Thirty Pleasanton Seahawk swimmers competed at the Speedo Champions Series CA/NV Winter Sectionals meet, Dec 18-21 at the East Angeles College in Southern California. This is one of four sections held in the United States.
Major highlights include:
The Pleasanton Seahawks brought home the First Place Trophy in the large team division. Combined score was 1313.5, Women’s total score 767.5, Men’s total score was 546. Sandpipers of Nevada was their nemesis with a combined score of 1229, Women’s total score was 788 and Mens total score was 441. Sandpipers lead most of the meet up until the relays at the end of the meet. Seahawks dominated in the relays and took home the first place trophy. Maxime Rooney (17) had a breakout meet breaking 4 records of the 6 events he swam and achieved the men’s high point award for the meet.
Women’s Team
Christy Chong (128 team points) – Best time in 1000 free 4th, best time in 500 free 6th, 100 back 9th, 200IM 6th, 200 back 3rd, 100 brst. Jacqueline Davis (2 team points) - 200IM, 200 brst, best time in 100 brst. Caroline Eckel (3 team points) – 100 fly, 50 free, best time in 100 back. Amber Fornoles – 200 brst, Best time in 100 brst. Danielle Hawkins (71 team points) – 1000 free 9th, best time in 500 free 8th, best time in 50/100/200 free, best time in 1650 9th. Jessica He (48 team points)– 100 back , 50 free, 100 free 6th, 200 back, best time in 200IM, best time in 200 free 6th. Miranda Heckman (128 team points) – 1650 7th, 1000 free 2nd, best time in 500 free 2nd, best time in 200 free 1st, best time in 100 free. Samantha Howell (30 team points) – 100/200/500/1000 free, 1650 10th, best time 50 free. Tori Kaleta (12.5 team points) – Best times in 100/200 brst. Mackenzie Lee – Best times in 100 back and 50 free. Caitlyn Plattel – 50/100/200/500 free. Ryane Skinner – 200 IM, 100 brst, best times in 100/200 free and 200 brst, Claire Suen (7 team points) – 100 back, 100/200 free, 200 back, best time in 50 free. Kennedy Truex (24 team points) – 100 free, best times in 50/200 free, 100/200 back. Ellen Wong, Best time in 100/200 brst. Katie Woods (7 team points) – 100/200/500/1000 free, 100/200 back. Danielle Zacharias (1 team point) – 100/200/500/1000/1650 free.
Womens’s Relays
- 400 Yard Medley Relay of Christy Chong, Tori Kaleta, Caroline Eckel and Jessica He won 5th place.
- 800 Free Relay of Miranda Heckman, Jessica He, Danielle Zacharias, and Daniella Hawkins won 2nd place.
- 400 Free Relay of Jessica He, Miranda Heckman, Katie Woods and Samantha Howell won 1st place.
Men’s Team
Brandon Brown - 500/1650 free. Calvin Chui – 500/1650 free. Jonah Cooper – Best times in the 100/200 free and 100 back 8th, 100 fly. Calvin Davis – 200 free, 1650 free, best times in the 500/1000 free. Alex Gilchrist – 100/200 fly, 200/400 IM, 100 free. Christopher Jhong – 100/200 fly, 400 IM, 200 back, 1650 free 11th. Tyler Lu – 500 free, best times in the 50/100/200 free and 100/200 fly. Lleyton Plattel – 1000/1650 free. Maxime Rooney (192 team points) – Broke Pacific Swim Records in the 100/200 free and placed 1st in both, broke the Pacific Swim Records in 100/200 fly placed 1st in both as well. 200 back 1st, best time in 100 back 1st. Nicholas Skinner - Best times 100/200 back. Ed Smith (12 team points) – 200/400IM, best times in the 100/200/500 free and 200 brst. Preston Tsang – 100 brst. Lyon Zhang (61 team points) – 100 fly, 200 IM, 100 brst, best time 400 IM and 200 Brst.
Men’s Relays
- 400 Medley Relay of Jonah Cooper, Lyon Zhang, Chris Jhong, and Maxime Rooney – won 3rd place.
- 800 Free Relay of Ed Smith, Jonah Cooper, Tyler Lu, Maxime Rooney – won 2nd place.
- 400 Free Relay of Ed Smith, Jonah Cooper, Tyler Lu, Maxime Rooney – won 3rd place.
Go Seahawks!
