Klawitter and Bower Break Records at CVC Championships

College of the Sequoias' women's swimming and dive at the Central Valley Conference Championships at Merced College on April 20, 2024.

April 24, 2024

Merced College was the location of electrifying display of athleticism and determination as the College of the Sequoias (COS) women's swim team performed at the Central Valley Conference (CVC) Championships. Amidst three intense days of competition, COS Women's Swimming & Dive team finished in fourth-place finish. There were tons of amazing performances, which were highlighted by Bella Klawitter (Hanford West HS) and Alexandria Bower (Redwood HS) that stole the spotlight, as they broke school records.

The relay events ignited the competition, with COS teams delivering stellar performances across the board. In the competitive 200 free relay, a dynamic combination of talent of McKenna Ruby (El Diamante HS), Gracie Rivas (El Diamante HS), Bella Klawitter, and Alexandria Bower propelled COS to claim the top spot with a lightning-fast time of 1:46.02. Not to be outdone, the 200 medley relay saw Autumn Gibson (Lemoore HS), Alexandria Bower, Bellla Klawitter, and Gracie Rivas clinch a podium finish, clocking in at 2:00.60 to secure third place. The momentum continued with another podium finish in the 800 free relay, where the Giant quartet of Kallysta Cox (Strathmore HS), McKenna Ruby, Gracie Rivas, and Ella Satorre (Redwood HS) showcased their resilience to secure a third-place finish. Wrapping up the relay events, the 400 free relay team displayed their determination by earning a third-place finish with a time of 3:47.30.

Individual events witnessed COS athletes showcasing their mettle with breathtaking performances. Bella Klawitter's prowess was on full display as she claimed a runner-up finish in the 200 individual medley (IM), touching the wall at 2:24.67. Autumn Gibson, McKenna Ruby, and Gracie Rivas also made their mark, securing top-eight finishes in the fiercely competitive 100 IM.

The breaststroke events saw COS dominate the competition, with Bower leading the charge. In the 50 breast, COS asserted its dominance with three athletes finishing in the top five. Bower's standout performance in the 100 breast earned her a second-place finish, while her remarkable display in the 200 breast saw her clinch another impressive second-place finish.

However, it was in the butterfly events where Bella Klawitter showcased her brilliance, rewriting the COS record books in spectacular fashion. After securing a second-place finish in the 50 fly with a time of 29.44, Klawitter unleashed her full potential, setting new school records in both the 100 and 200 fly events. She finished in third with a time of 1:05.48, which broke her own school record that was at 1:08.96. She then was the 200 fly conference champion with a time of 2:28.06, which also set a new school record.

Alexandria Bower's versatility was on display as she delivered a strong performance in the 50 free, tying for third place in a fiercely contested race. Meanwhile, Klawitter continued her exceptional run with a third-place finish in the 100 fly, further solidifying her legacy as a COS swimming sensation. In the 100 free, Gibson finished in 4th place at 1:06.30, with Rivas finishing close behind her at 1:08.17.

As the curtains close on the CVC season, the Giants now turn their focus to the upcoming 3C2A State Championship at Orange Coast College, which occurs from May 2nd to May 4th. The state qualifiers include Bella Klawitter and Alexandria Bower.