March 6, 2026

Written by Leisha Masi and Dylan Parry

The Martin Luther King High School swim team opened their season at home against Murrieta Valley with a performance that was less about the final score and more about the grit shown by every athlete on the deck. For many of the swimmers, this was their first time ever stepping onto a starting block in a competitive environment, and that courage set the tone for the entire afternoon. It served as a vital benchmark for the veterans to see how they compared to their personal bests from last year, while the newcomers proved they were ready to commit to the hard work the season demands.

The girls’ side of the meet was a thriller, with both the Junior Varsity and Varsity squads securing narrow victories. The Varsity girls trailed heading into the final stages of the afternoon, but a dominant sweep in the 500 free swung the momentum back in King’s favor. Even then, the win wasn’t guaranteed until the very last relay, where the girls had to pull off a 1-3 finish to clinch the six-point victory. Leaders like Paige MacDonald (JV) and Addisyn Sharpe (Varsity) were instrumental in that effort, racking up 22 and 18 points respectively to keep the Wolves in the hunt.

The boys faced a different kind of challenge, competing without several key athletes which left them thin in the relay rotations. Despite the missing depth, the Wolves remained within striking distance for most of the day, trailing by only two points heading into the 200 free relay. Victor Perez was a standout for the Varsity boys, winning every event he entered and earning 14 points for the team, while Kareem Istwani led the JV boys with 22 points.

The day also saw early-season success for Alyssa Bian and Chloe Clendenen, who joined Perez in winning all of their events and securing CIF automatic or consideration times. Beyond the individual wins and the fast times from swimmers, the meet provided a clear lesson in the value of every single race. The coaching staff noted that in a close meet, every touch at the wall matters, and pushing through a race even when you aren’t feeling your best can be the difference for the entire team.