Long Beach Women’ Swimming Preview 2026 – The562.org

The562’s protection of aquatic sports activities in Long Beach in 2025-26 is sponsored by Watersafe Swim School.

Another season of women swimming is underway, with every Long Beach staff hoping to dethrone Wilson because the queens of town. 

Wilson

The Bruins have constructed a powerhouse program, and are on the heels of 4 straight Moore League championships. Despite this, the staff’s mindset is forward-looking. 

“We are entering this season with momentum and purpose,” mentioned head coach Kristin Barth-Kredell. “Our priorities are clear: maintain the championship standard that has defined our program, continue developing depth across all three levels, compete with discipline, integrity, and pride, and push for stronger performances at CIF and beyond.”

The Bruins’ push for a five-peat will happen in a recent facility, as this would be the debut season of Wilson’s new outside aquatics middle for the swim staff. Barth-Kredell calls it an unbelievable present for Wilson athletes that may inspire them to proceed acting at a excessive degree. 

“It elevates our daily training environment and gives us the opportunity to build a true home-deck advantage,” Barth-Kredell mentioned. “We are grateful for it, and we are ready to race in it.”

Senior Matilda Davidson-Lakey, Reese Haga and Katie Tunnicliff headline Wilson’s squad, as they’ll be stalwarts each out and in of the water. Sophomore Abby Billish additionally returns after a formidable freshman season. A six-foot sprinter, she was pivotal finally season’s Moore League finals, conserving tempo with high swimmers in each particular person and relay occasions to attain key factors for her staff. 

Barth-Kredell talked about Emmylou Kennedy and Kylie Kennedy as two freshmen standouts to keep watch over. 

“This team understands that success is built daily — in practice habits, academic accountability, and how we support one another,” Barth-Kredell mentioned. “With a new pool, strong leadership, and a motivated roster, Wilson girls’ swim is ready to compete at the highest level.”

Long Beach Poly

The Jackrabbits positioned second in Moore League final season regardless of profitable seven of the 11 races on the finals, with Wilson outscoring them in factors. Head coach Ishmael Pluton considers sustained enchancment as the important thing to difficult the Bruins this season. 

“The end goal is to peak at Moore League Finals,” Pluton mentioned.

Several swimmers will return to help that effort. These embody juniors Phoebe Kuo, described as an “all-around speed machine,” and Jemma Nagle, described as a tough employee and stellar chief recognized for her distance prowess. Poly may even depend on senior Kayla Ngyuen, lauded not only for her dash freestyle splits, but additionally for having the experience and management expertise to steer her staff by the hardest meets. Senior Sequoia Newman, a multi-sport athlete, will make the shift to swim season after serving to lead the Jackrabbit’s ladies’ water polo staff to the CIF quarterfinals. 

“She’s fired up to swim fast in her senior season,” Pluton mentioned. “We expect some great spring freestyle from Sequoia.”

Junior Lorealle Lobedecis, a CIF State Diving podium finisher, is poised so as to add to an already spectacular résumé, whereas Pluton additionally expects sophomore Nikki Bickel to race even quicker this yr. Freshman Mao Guevara joins the Jackrabbits as an thrilling newcomer.

Millikan

The Rams are specializing in continuity this season as they work to construct on final yr’s sturdy third place end in Moore League. 

“The primary goals are always improvement and working together to improve,” head coach Mike Carrillo mentioned. “Swimming is very much an individual sport, but to improve we need to push each other at practice and meets to grow.”

Leading the cost is junior Sienna Ramirez Jr, who set a faculty report within the 100 Breaststroke final season with a 1:06.98 time. She additionally completed 4th in CIF Division 2 final yr within the 100 breaststroke. 

Junior Karina Ruiz and sophomore Lake Fisher additionally return; each have been a part of the group that took down Wilson within the 200 Medley Relay on the Moore League Finals. Sophomore McKenna Rosenberg is one other Ram whom Carrillo expects to make an influence within the water. She’s coming off a dominant water polo season the place she notched a game-high seven targets in Millikan’s Division 2 CIF sport – incomes an athlete of the week honor from The562.

Lakewood

Perseverance is the Lancers’ mantra as they try to succeed not simply in league, however in Division 3 CIF play, the place the staff hopes to win not less than two relays and a person race. 

“My goals for the team are to day in and day out persevere and work hard even when things get  tough,” head coach Deborah Caine mentioned. “Our meet targets are to concentrate on Lakewood and exhibiting constant enchancment all through the season. 

Junior Kaylee Cuizon returns because the squad’s high swimmer within the 200 IM and 100 fly. She certified for CIF D3 finals final yr, and Caine mentioned her aim is to achieve that degree once more this season and place even increased in Moore League Finals. Another swimmer with CIF aspirations is junior Jaiden Jordan, who specializes within the 50 and 100 Free and can function an anchor for all three relays. Danica Sapitan may even play a giant function within the 100 Breaststroke and 200 IM, as she strives to compete for a Moore League Finals spot within the former. 

Lakewood additionally welcomes two new sophomores to varsity this yr. Sophomore Camila Mora-Corral enters for the freestyle and breaststroke occasions, whereas Valerie Bolanos will assist varsity in butterfly and freestyle. 

Jordan

After an improved season that noticed Jordan climb a spot within the Moore League standings, the Panthers are excited for an additional yr of development and alternative.

Head coach Brenden Gruneisen values the steadiness of this yr’s squad between skilled gamers and promising freshmen he’s enthusiastic about. 

“We are senior-heavy this year, but we also have some up-and-coming talent that I’m really excited about,” Gruneisen mentioned. “Ultimately, this season will be about sending this excellent senior class off on a high note while simultaneously building for future success with our younger girls.”

Gruneisen labelled senior Melanie Madrid as Jordan’s high swimmer not simply this yr, however in current reminiscence. She broke faculty information within the 200 and 500 Freestyle – two occasions that additionally garnered her CIF qualification. Madrid is thought for her versatility in all occasions, however will primarily swim the 200 Freestyle, 200 IM and 100 breaststroke individually, together with main the freestyle relays and swimming the breaststroke leg in Medley relays. 

She has her sights set on a number of extra information this yr and I believe her targets are very attainable due to her unbelievable work ethic and drive to succeed,” Gruneisen mentioned. 

Melanie Alatorre is one other senior seeking to end her Panthers profession sturdy. She’s the staff’s strongest butterfly swimmer and can compete within the 100 Butterfly and 200 IM whereas dealing with the butterfly leg of the Medley Relay. 

“Melanie has improved so much in her 4 years at Jordan not only in terms of her physical ability, but also her confidence level and approach to competition,” Gruneisen mentioned. 

Adding to the vaunted senior class is Paola Mejorado, who’s often known as the backstroke specialist – having gotten a CIF Consideration time within the 100 backstroke. She hopes to hit that point commonplace this yr, whereas swimming dash freestyle and being a pivotal a part of all relays. 

“Paola is a fierce competitor and it’s so much fun to coach her and watch her race,” Gruneisen mentioned. 

Gruneisen highlighted how this yr’s freshman class is especially promising. The standout is Jaylin Reyes, who enters with a wealth of prior swimming information and experiences, having gone by a number of youth applications within the space. Well-versed in all 4 strokes, she’ll doubtless compete alongside the seniors within the 4th spot on Jordan’s A relay groups. 

“She enters her first swim season ready to make big contributions to our varsity team right away,” Gruneisen mentioned.