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The crew start their day in the pre-dawn hours several times a
week as they ready themselves to maneuver through multiple tasks:
ten weekly practices, weekend meets, high school, homework,
academic tests, and additional outside activities. And
let’s not forget time left over for family, friends, fun and
sleep. With a GPA average of 4.0 these hard working athletes
have become masters at seamlessly multitasking, while integrating
their time and talent. The road to success is always under
construction and the graduating high school seniors of the
Pleasanton Seahawks (PLS) Swim Team have learned the fine art of
project management. Meet the PLS Class of 2010: Christopher
Guido, Krishnan Rajagopalan, Theresa Martin, Karen Wang, and
Chelsea Finn.
As part of their logistical planning, these elite athletes will be
attending the college of their choice, including UC Davis
(Christopher and Krishnan), CSU - Sacramento (Theresa), Princeton
University (Karen) and MIT (Chelsea). Christopher, Krishnan,
Karen and Chelsea will be studying Engineering. Theresa plans
to study Nursing.
Ask any of these swimmers what they have achieved and they will
tell you that learning key life skills is an important building
block for the future. Christopher stated, “The most
important qualities I gained from Seahawks swimming are time
management and perseverance.” “I learned the
value of hard work and consistency with respect to attending
practice,” explained Krishnan. Chelsea responded,
“Motivate yourself, don’t let your parents or coaches
be your primary motivation.” Karen noted, “Being
at PLS has taught me the importance of being persistent and working
hard.” Head PLS Coach, Steve Morsilli, added, “We
celebrate our graduating PLS swimmers not only for their
accomplishments, but, more importantly, for their perseverance and
sticking with the swim program.”
When the PLS young men and women aren’t busy managing rich
and full schedules, they are blending additional activities and
accomplishments into their lives. Krishnan was an East Bay
Regional Parks District Lifeguard. Christopher received the
rank of Eagle Scout, earned the AP Scholar with Distinction award
and is the recipient of the marquis scholarship from the Pedrozzi
Foundation. As a member of Leadership at AVHS, Theresa
stated, “I take part in school events and I participate in
community service…”
Karen was voted most athletic at FHS, is a member of the National
French Honor Society, a CSF member and the co-president of the
Uganda Club. She said, “My most proud athletic
accomplishment was when I made it to the Olympic trials in
2008…” Chelsea was in the AVHS Marching Band as
Trumpet Section Leader and 1st Chair Trumpet in the AVHS Wind
Ensemble. Both Karen and Chelsea will continue to swim in
college.
While these PLS swimmers are working hard, they manage to fit in
plenty of fun and will bring many fond memories with them to
college. Krishnan remembers a favorite moment, “when
Coach Todd attempted to run across the pool cover.”
“I’d have to say that my favorite PLS moment was when I
was in Coach Todd’s group,” remarked Theresa.
“A lightning storm began during our practice, so we all got
out of the pool and Coach Todd let us do relays in the muddy grass
and we all played in a mud slip-in-side.” Chris
mentioned one of his favorite PLS experiences was when Coach Steve
took the Senior Elite group to the Olympic Training Center in
Colorado Springs this past spring break for training. In
addition, Chelsea stated, “I will miss my friends and
coaches.”
The PLS seniors are learning to navigate through the construction
zones of life while traveling the road to success. “The
Seahawks wish them the absolute best in the years to come,”
announced PLS Senior Coach, Heather Morsilli. Congratulations
to our PLS swimmers for doing an outstanding job of
planning their future by learning from the past and managing the
present. Go PLS Graduating Class of 2010!
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