Sarah Willems couldn't pass up the opportunity. The Ceres High graduate will serve as head coach of crosstown rival Central Valley's varsity swim program this season.
Willems was recruited by Julie Alvarado, who decided not to return to the Hawks because she wanted to focus on her education.
Sarah's older sister Lesley will provide assistance. The two coached together with the Ceres Dolphins recreational club in 2006.
"Right after she (Julie) talked to me, I decided I wanted to do it," Sarah said. "I enjoy working with kids. They're fun."
Central Valley's girls will be led by Taylor Rogers (Jr.), Cierra Alvear (Jr.), Savanna Alvear (Fr.), Kate Gaede (So.), Tiffany Devolder (Sr.), Jasmine Smith (So.), Anna Kondratyuk (Jr.), Arleigh Meek (Sr.), Wynter Bratenas (Fr.), Stephanie Muci (Sr.) and Cherise Azevedo (Jr.).
Taylor, Cierra, Katie, Tiffany, Jasmine, Anna, Arleigh and Stephanie are returners.
Rogers placed 29th in a field of 57 in the 50 free at the 2009 Sac-Joaquin Section frosh-soph swimming trials. She took second in the 50 free and ninth in the 100 free at the VOL finals.
Cierra was 42nd in the 100 breast at the section meet. She finished sixth in the same event during the conference meet.
Central Valley's lone dual victory in 2009 came against Weston Ranch. The Hawks (1-7) placed seventh at the VOL championships.
Boys Outlook
Central Valley High School's varsity boys swim program has nowhere to go up but up.
The 2009 Hawks finished 1-7 during the regular season and last at the VOL championships.
Central Valley will be led by Jesus Espinoza (Sr.), Austin Roberts (Sr.), Andrew Vazquez (Jr.), Abraham Navarro (Fr.), Genaro Hernandez (Sr.), Billy Gonzalez (Jr.), Danny Suarez (Sr.) and Jesse Magana (Fr.)
Espinoza, Roberts and Vazquez are returners.
"We don't have a lot of people out there but we make it work," Sarah said.
Crosstown Showdown
Central Valley will battle Ceres High this Friday at 3:30 p.m. The Bulldogs swept the Hawks last season.
"It's not too weird," said Sarah while talking about coaching against her alma mater. "Ceres High's kids are friendly."
Willems was recruited by Julie Alvarado, who decided not to return to the Hawks because she wanted to focus on her education.
Sarah's older sister Lesley will provide assistance. The two coached together with the Ceres Dolphins recreational club in 2006.
"Right after she (Julie) talked to me, I decided I wanted to do it," Sarah said. "I enjoy working with kids. They're fun."
Central Valley's girls will be led by Taylor Rogers (Jr.), Cierra Alvear (Jr.), Savanna Alvear (Fr.), Kate Gaede (So.), Tiffany Devolder (Sr.), Jasmine Smith (So.), Anna Kondratyuk (Jr.), Arleigh Meek (Sr.), Wynter Bratenas (Fr.), Stephanie Muci (Sr.) and Cherise Azevedo (Jr.).
Taylor, Cierra, Katie, Tiffany, Jasmine, Anna, Arleigh and Stephanie are returners.
Rogers placed 29th in a field of 57 in the 50 free at the 2009 Sac-Joaquin Section frosh-soph swimming trials. She took second in the 50 free and ninth in the 100 free at the VOL finals.
Cierra was 42nd in the 100 breast at the section meet. She finished sixth in the same event during the conference meet.
Central Valley's lone dual victory in 2009 came against Weston Ranch. The Hawks (1-7) placed seventh at the VOL championships.
Boys Outlook
Central Valley High School's varsity boys swim program has nowhere to go up but up.
The 2009 Hawks finished 1-7 during the regular season and last at the VOL championships.
Central Valley will be led by Jesus Espinoza (Sr.), Austin Roberts (Sr.), Andrew Vazquez (Jr.), Abraham Navarro (Fr.), Genaro Hernandez (Sr.), Billy Gonzalez (Jr.), Danny Suarez (Sr.) and Jesse Magana (Fr.)
Espinoza, Roberts and Vazquez are returners.
"We don't have a lot of people out there but we make it work," Sarah said.
Crosstown Showdown
Central Valley will battle Ceres High this Friday at 3:30 p.m. The Bulldogs swept the Hawks last season.
"It's not too weird," said Sarah while talking about coaching against her alma mater. "Ceres High's kids are friendly."
