Swimmer Justina Kozan arrived at Santa Margarita High final year with high expectations following her success at Walnut High and with Mt. SAC-based BREA Aquatics.
The junior didn’t disappoint despite the demanding situations of the pandemic and her arrangements for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Kozan captured two particular person titles and raced on a couple of successful relays at the CIF Southern Section Division 1 finals in late May to lend a hand lead the Eagles to the staff title in their home pool. She also led the county in four events and posted traditionally swift instances.
For her efforts this spring, Kozan is the Register’s girls swimmer of the year.
“What Justina did is incredible due to what was going in this year with COVID-19 training restrictions,” Santa Margarita co-coach Ron Blanc mentioned. “What’s most superb is how briskly she swam with all of her swims coming unrest and untapered since Justina was once making ready for the Trials.”
The USC dedicate and Mission Viejo Nadadores’ standout touched first in the 100- and 200-yard freestyles at the Division 1 meet, stopping the clock in 49.40 seconds and 1:44.40, respectively.
Kozan won the Two hundred free through just about three seconds in changing into the county’s No. 3 all-time performer in the mid-distance match.
She also delivered a clear victory in the A hundred unfastened, touching first by virtually a 2d with a performance that places her ninth in county historical past.
Kozan’s times in the 100 and 2 hundred unfastened led the county and easily earned All-America standing.
She also led off the Eagles’ profitable 200 free relay with a 23.30 break up and anchored the first-place four hundred loose relay in 49.71.
Kozan’s stellar CIF meet followed her blistering occasions at the Trinity League finals at JSerra. She won the 2 hundred person medley in a school-record 1:58.32 and the 100 butterfly in 53.23.
Kozan’s Two hundred IM time places her third in county historical past while her A hundred butterfly ranks her fourth.
The instances additionally led the county and would have won Division 1 titles.
This month, Kozan became her focal point to racing at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb. And while she didn’t qualify for the Tokyo Games, she added an important element for her senior year.
“Valuable experience gained through swimming with the international’s very best,” Santa Margarita’s swimming and diving crew tweeted.
This post first appeared on ocregister.com
ncG1vNJzZmhqZGy7psPSmqmorZ6Zwamx1qippZxemLyue82erqxnn6eur7PEZpqorZ6pxm6zyKujrGWjrLauucSrZKieXam1pnnYnpirZaOWu7WtjKaYq5%2BRp7a1rdJmoa6rpJ67onnKqLGapl8%3D