The Cate School swimming program delivered a dominant performance against Tri Valley League rival Foothill Tech, securing comprehensive victories in both the boys’ and girls’ meets. The Gauchos showcased significant depth across multiple disciplines, combining individual record-breaking swims with a clean sweep of the relay events.
The boys’ squad led the charge with a commanding 172-124 victory, while the girls’ team mirrored that success with a 115-101 win. The meets were characterized by a high level of technical execution, particularly in the backstroke and individual medley events, signaling a strong start for Cate as they navigate their league schedule.
Among the standout performances of the day was Emi Kanda-Gleeson ’27, who managed to rewrite the history books for her program. Kanda-Gleeson set a fresh Cate School record in the 100 backstroke, clocking in at 1:01.60. The time notably surpassed her own previous standard set last year, marking a significant personal and institutional milestone in the pool.
Individual Brilliance and Record-Breaking Pace
Kanda-Gleeson’s impact extended beyond the record books, as she also secured a victory in the 200 individual medley, proving her versatility across different strokes. The girls’ side of the meet saw a wave of individual dominance, with several swimmers claiming first place in their respective events.
Jen Won ’26 emerged as a powerhouse in the distance and butterfly events, taking home wins in both the 100 fly and the 500 free. This level of endurance and speed provided a critical points cushion for the Gauchos. Meanwhile, Maddie Kollock ’27 dominated the 100 free, and Sofia Wang ’28 took first in the 100 breaststroke, ensuring that Cate controlled nearly every facet of the girls’ competition.
The boys’ meet followed a similar pattern of dominance, featuring three double-event winners who dictated the pace of the meet. Jae Wykoff ’26 swept the sprint freestyle events, winning both the 50 free and the 100 free. Mo Kanda-Gleeson ’26 displayed exceptional versatility by winning the 200 IM and the 100 back, while Wil Rivera ’27 claimed victory in the 200 free and the 100 fly.
The remaining individual races were also swept by Cate, with Josiah Hansen ’27 winning the 500 free and Devon Liang ’27 taking the 100 breaststroke. This total sweep of the individual events underscores the current gap in depth between the two Tri Valley League competitors.
Relay Coordination and Team Depth
While individual accolades highlighted the day, the relay events demonstrated the collective strength of the program. The girls’ 200 medley relay saw a victory from the quartet of Kanda-Gleeson, Won, Kollock, and Wang. In the 400 freestyle relay, Tori Kim ’27 stepped in for Wang, helping the team secure another first-place finish.
The boys’ relay performances were equally clinical. The 200 medley relay was won by a combination of Josiah Hansen, Wil Rivera, Tristan Maigret ’26, and Fletcher Prince ’28. The 200 freestyle relay saw captain Elliot Paige ’26 lead a winning squad consisting of Wykoff, Prince, and Maigret.
The final exclamation point of the meet came in the 400 freestyle relay, where Hansen and Rivera teamed up with Charlie Guo ’29 and Maddox Tanaka ’27 to cross the finish line first. The ability to field multiple winning combinations across different distances suggests a robust pipeline of talent within the Cate School athletic department.
| Athlete | Event(s) Won | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Emi Kanda-Gleeson | 100 Back, 200 IM | School Record (1:01.60) |
| Jen Won | 100 Fly, 500 Free | Double Event Winner |
| Jae Wykoff | 50 Free, 100 Free | Double Event Winner |
| Mo Kanda-Gleeson | 200 IM, 100 Back | Double Event Winner |
| Wil Rivera | 200 Free, 100 Fly | Double Event Winner |
Analyzing the Tri Valley League Impact
For those following the CIF Central Coast Section landscape, these results establish Cate as a formidable contender in the Tri Valley League. The margin of victory—particularly the 48-point gap in the boys’ meet—suggests a level of preparation and conditioning that will be difficult for opponents to match as the season progresses.
The strategic use of substitutions in the relay events, such as Tori Kim stepping into the 400 freestyle relay, indicates a coaching strategy focused on maximizing athlete recovery and testing depth. This approach is often a hallmark of programs aiming for postseason success, as it ensures a wider array of swimmers are “race-ready” heading into championship meets.
The psychological advantage of a school record, like the one set by Emi Kanda-Gleeson, cannot be understated. Breaking a personal best while competing in a dual meet provides a momentum boost that often carries over into the rest of the team’s performance, creating a culture of excellence and internal competition.
As the Gauchos move forward, the focus will likely shift toward refining these times for the upcoming regional qualifiers. The sweep of individual events against a league rival provides a clear benchmark for the coaching staff to identify areas for improvement and target times for the next phase of the season.
Cate is scheduled to remain in high gear as they prepare for their next challenge. The team will return to the pool next week, where they are set to host Nordhoff on Thursday. This upcoming home meet will serve as another critical opportunity for the swimmers to sharpen their technique and solidify their standings within the league.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on the season so far or leave a message of congratulations for the student-athletes in the comments below.
