March 20, 2026

Written by Leisha Masi and Dylan Parry

RIVERSIDE:  The Martin Luther King High School swim team continued its strong start to the season with a clean sweep at home against Norco, as all four squads—JV and Varsity for both boys and girls—secured victories. This meet required a high level of focus and adaptability, particularly as the coaching staff asked several athletes to step into “off” events to combat Norco’s significant roster size and depth.

The Varsity girls faced the tightest battle of the afternoon, trading the lead with Norco throughout the entire meet. King finally gained some breathing room after a strong final relay, though Norco continued to fight back, cutting the lead to just three points heading into the breaststroke. Alyssa Bian and Addisyn Sharpe were vital to the team’s success, with Bian remaining perfectly consistent in her events and Sharpe securing a key win in the 50 free with a time of 26.96. Alyssa Christensen also stepped up, breaking the one-minute mark in the 100 freestyle for the first time.

On the boys’ side, the Varsity team maintained a comfortable lead from the start, eventually finishing with a decisive 119-50 victory. Victor Perez continued his dominant season, and Angelo Benitez provided a spark with a victory in the 100 backstroke, clocking in at 59.45. The JV boys also saw impressive growth, specifically from Cameron Bobb, who joined the sub-minute club in the 100 freestyle, and Vincent Arias, who fought for a gritty win as the team’s lone entry in the JV 200 freestyle.

The overarching theme of the day was team unity and focus. Despite the distractions of an approaching spring break and the unseasonal heat, the Wolves remained locked in from the first whistle to the final touch. This collective effort has kept the girls’ season perfect at 3-0, while the boys improved to 2-1, with both teams now sitting at a pristine 2-0 in league play. As the schedule shifts toward even tougher opponents, the coaches are emphasizing the importance of staying sharp in practice to maintain the momentum they’ve built.