Mount Carmel Girls and Cathedral Catholic Boys Dominate CIF San Diego Division 2 Section Championships
The CIF San Diego Division 2 Section Championships took place over the weekend, and it was a thrilling display of swimming prowess. The Mount Carmel girls and the Cathedral Catholic boys emerged as the clear winners, with both teams finishing in close contention. But what makes this event particularly fascinating is the depth of talent on display, and the potential for future stars to emerge.
Mount Carmel Girls: A Close Contention
The Mount Carmel girls team demonstrated their strength with a total score of 244, just 14 points ahead of La Costa Canyon. The meet was a close affair, with several events decided by seconds. One thing that immediately stands out is the dominance of Mount Carmel in the relay events. Their 200 medley relay team, featuring Katie Diep, Catherine Bowe, Kadence La, and Jillian Launer, touched the wall in 1:46.08, a time that was just over two seconds ahead of the second-place team from the Academy of Our Lady Peace.
In the individual events, Mount Carmel also shone. Kadence La won the girls' 100 fly in 56.56, dropping a second from her previous Section Championships time. Catherine Rowe, a senior committed to Texas Christian University, won the 100 backstroke in 54.62, touching just over two seconds ahead of her junior teammate Katie Diep. Rowe's time was about a second off her lifetime best, which she swam at this meet her junior year.
Cathedral Catholic Boys: A Dominant Performance
The Cathedral Catholic boys team secured their victory with a total score of 270, finishing 21 points ahead of Sage Creek. The boys' meet was a little less close than the girls', but Cathedral Catholic's performance was equally impressive. One detail that I find especially interesting is the team's success in both individual events and relays. They won two individual events and two relays, with their first win coming in the 50 freestyle, where sophomore Max Davies stopped the clock in 20.51, a time that was a tenth drop from his previous Speedo Winter Juniors meet time.
Cathedral Catholic also won the 500 freestyle with another sophomore, Diego Dantas, who swam 4:35.09, a massive drop from his previous time in April 2025. The team also won the 200 freestyle relay and the 400 freestyle relay, with both events decided by narrow margins.
Hidden Implications and Future Stars
What many people don't realize is the potential for these young swimmers to become future stars. The CIF San Diego Division 2 Section Championships serve as a platform for swimmers to showcase their talent and gain recognition. The performances of Mount Carmel's Kadence La and Cathedral Catholic's Max Davies, for example, are already attracting attention from college recruiters. La's time in the 100 fly and Davies' time in the 50 freestyle are both impressive, and could potentially lead to NCAA Division I scholarships.
In my opinion, the meet also highlights the importance of relay events in swimming. The Mount Carmel girls' dominance in the relay events, and Cathedral Catholic's success in both individual events and relays, demonstrate the value of teamwork and strategy in swimming. If you take a step back and think about it, the relay events are often the deciding factor in close meets, and the teams that excel in them are likely to be the ones that emerge victorious.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Talent and Teamwork
The CIF San Diego Division 2 Section Championships were a celebration of talent, teamwork, and strategy. The Mount Carmel girls and the Cathedral Catholic boys demonstrated their strength and depth, and the meet served as a platform for young swimmers to showcase their potential. As we look ahead to the CIF State Championships, the performances of these teams will undoubtedly be a talking point, and the potential for future stars to emerge is exciting. Personally, I think these championships are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the swimmers and coaches, and a reminder of the importance of teamwork and strategy in swimming.
