April 20, 2026

Written by Leisha Masi and Dylan Parry

RIVERSIDE:   The atmosphere at the Martin Luther King High School pool was a mixture of celebration and nostalgia this week as the Wolves hosted Corona Centennial for Senior Night. This final home meet of the season served as a poignant milestone for our departing seniors—Addisyn Sharpe, Jake Cantrell, Troy Newlin, Emersyn Zink, Vincent Orozco, Penelope Cifuentes, and Catherine Shah—marking the conclusion of their competitive careers in the water they have called home for four years.

While the meet followed a high-energy week at Mt. SAC and Santiago, the Wolves remained steadfast, delivering solid performances across the board. The JV boys continued their impressive trend of significant time drops, and Charlee Hurst reached a personal milestone by breaking the seven-minute barrier in the 500 freestyle. Even those sidelined by injury, like senior Vincent Orozco, exemplified the spirit of the program. Despite being unable to swim, Vincent spent the entire afternoon at the end of the lanes, cheering on his teammates and serving as a model of leadership and character that has defined this senior class.

The true heart of the evening, however, was found in the “Senior Sendoff” speeches. In a sport often measured by hundredths of a second and individual personal bests, it was telling that nearly every senior’s favorite memory was centered on the team. They spoke not of individual trophies, but of the bonds forged during grueling early-morning practices, the shared laughter on bus rides, and the unwavering support they felt from one another during the hardest sets. It was a powerful lesson for the underclassmen in the crowd: while the times on the scoreboard eventually fade, the legacy of how you treat your teammates is what truly lasts.

As the seniors prepare for their final few weeks of training, the coaching staff is hopeful that the younger swimmers will build upon the culture of unity these leaders have established. The meet was a reminder that the “journey” of a season is often more valuable than the destination.

With the regular season dual meets behind them and a record of 4-2 for the girls and 3-3 for the boys, the Wolves now look toward league finals, carrying with them the wisdom and the competitive fire of the Class of 2026.