2025 Summer Sectional

CDST swimmers did an extraordinary job at last week's Sectional Championships at College of Marin, Novato.

We still remember the success of the past year's Sectional Level meets, with graduated seniors Edward Huang, Ray Cillo, Ethan Gallagher, Leo Gao, and Ryin Ruaboro. However, this year, we have our Senior, Justin Ely, bringing the young squad to the Sectional with a historic entry number of swimmers.

Our young squad, including first-time qualifiers to Sectional cuts, Jingxuan Li(14), Benjamin Lee(13), Asher Song(13), and Yongjian Zhang(16). We also have the debut of the CDST women's relay team at Sectionals, who qualified for 400 F.R. (Sophia Gallagher, Katherine Chen, Yumo Tao, Jingxuan Li, and Jennifer Xu). 

As a USA Swimming's 2023-2024 Scholastic All-America, Justin Ely previously received a Winter Junior National Cut in the 50 Free; however, his time was not eligible for the past Winter Jr. Nats due to new time standards updated last winter. He didn't give up, still chasing his dream to attend the Junior National Championships, and despite that, with busy college applications in the past months, he swam a 24.02 to open the Men's 200 F.R. on Day 1 at Sectionals. With the lead-off time, he will be qualified for the 2025 Winter Junior National at Austin, TX in December. 

All individual swimmers had their best times in the past week. Way to go for the first timers at the Sectional level. More to come!

Best,
Coach Chen

Highlights on Individuals

Sophia Gallagher - 200 Back, 2:28.23

Jingxuan Li - 50 Free(Relay), 27.92

Benjamin Lee - 50 Back(Relay), 29.49

Eric Meng - 400 IM, 4:51.07, Finals, 4:47.07

Jonathan Fan - 200 Fly, 2:17.29

Yongjian Zhang - 100 Free, 56.32