Ung To Carry The PCC Tradition Of Top State Women's Swimmers

From Shannon Cheung to Connie Peng to Ariahn Givens to Melissa Cienega, the Pasadena City College women's swim team and head coach Terry Stoddard have produced elite swimmers at the conference and state levels, especially in the last seven years. Grabbing the baton in 2019 is freshman Carmen Ung from Mark Keppel High.

Ung showed her speed and versatility at the season-opening Arena Ram Crush Invitational held Feb. 22-23, hosted by Clovis Community College in Northern California. She won three events--the 200-yard individual medley (2:15.83), the 200 breaststroke (2:30.15) and 100 breaststroke (1:07.40)--took second in the 100 freestyle (55.35) and 50 freestyle (25.64), and placed third in the 100 butterfly (1:03.79).

PCC placed seventh as a team at the meet, but Ung's performance stood out among all individuals competing. Ung broke the school record in the 100 breaststroke, eclipsing Arolyn Basham's 2014 mark of 1:07.55 (by .15). 

"Carmen is another great talent and we feel blessed to have this run of elite swimmers," Stoddard said. "She's capable of finishing very high at state and already she's shown to have the ability to break a school record. We expect great things from her this season."

The Lancers are carrying a small roster of five athletes, all freshmen. From water polo, Fernanda Alvarez is a freestyler (Pasadena High). The others are Anna Herrin (Clark Magnet), Carolina Lopez (Eagle Rock), and Yvette Rosales (Northview). 

Alvarez placed ninth in the 200 backstroke (2:52.18). Rosales took ninth in the 100 butterfly (1:17.58).

PCC returns to the pool on Friday, Mar. 1 in opening South Coast Conference dual meets in a tri-contest against Chaffey and Long Beach City College at LBCC.