Ladeda, a Swimmer Without a Team, Wins Twice

LONG BEACH — Ali Ladeda, a junior at Capistrano Valley Christian High School, won two events at the Southern Section 2-A girls’ swimming championships Saturday at Belmont Plaza pool. Not a bad performance, considering Capistrano Valley Christian doesn’t have a swim team.

To get to the final, Ladeda had to swim unattached at high school dual meets. She had to compete in at least six dual meets to qualify.

Ladeda competed in meets with Capistrano Valley, El Toro, Dana Hills, Laguna Hills and Mission Viejo.

“It was kind of a pain to do it,” Ladeda said. “But I think it was good for me. All that swimming made me a better swimmer.”

The extra work was worth it. Ladeda won the 100-yard butterfly and 200 freestyle Saturday, the first swim titles for Capistrano Valley Christian.

In case anyone didn’t know where she was from, Ladeda designed her own school swim cap. She printed “CVC” and her name on it.