La Reina sophomore leads talented group of fresh Regent faces

By Kyle Jorrey jorrey@theacorn.com

MAKING WAVES-The La Reina swim team has benefitted greatly from an influx of club swimmers, including eight along from Conejo Simi Aquatics. The six above are, left to right, Laura DeCesare, Genny Aamoth, Danielle Sack, Marissa Felton, Veronica Espino and Emily Bibb in the middle. Bibb, practicing her stroke at right, is one of the area's top female swimmers in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle.

La Reina sophomore Emily Bibb is on what some may call the fast lane to swimming stardom.

Though she only started swimming competitively four years ago, Bibb has quickly become one of the most highly regarded swimmers both on her high school team and her club team, Conejo Simi Aquatics (CSA).

An expert freestyler, Bibb has already competed in three Junior National events, the most recent being March 21-25 in Orlando, Fla.

Her time of 23.93 in the 50-yard freestyle was a personal best and just seven, tenths-of-a-second off the first-place finisher. It’s important to note Bibb is 15 and was competing against girls up to 18 years old.

"It was about my best performance ever," said Bibb, who will be 16 in two weeks. "Except in the 100 free, where I was only a couple tenths-of-a-second off my best time."

Though she grew up in love with the hardwood floor of a basketball gymnasium, this California native—and lover of the ocean— soon levitated toward the water. It’s been nearly four years since she first signed up for the swim team at the YMCA, and almost as long since she joined CSA to train under well-known coach Paul Davidson.

Davidson saw potential early on as Bibb swam her way up the CSA ranks.

"There’s just something about her that told me she had a good future in swimming," Davidson said. "She’s become one of the premier swimmers in our program."

Bibb’s breakout year came in 2004 as a member of a rapidly-rising Regent team that has benefited from a recent influx of club swimmers, including eight alone from CSA. She was the CIF-Southern Section Division IV 50-yard freestyle champion in 24.11 and finished second in the 100 freestyle in 51.53

"It was like every time I got in the pool I was dropping five seconds off my time," Bibb said. "It was exciting, but also a little hard to believe."

She currently holds three individual school records (50, 100, 200 freestyle) and is on two record-holding relay teams.

The Regents, with the help of Bibb and fellow CSA swimmers Laura DeCesare and Marissa Felton, are expected to compete again for a division crown after finishing a close-second last season. Like Bibb, La Reina has climbed the ladder to swimming success posthaste.

"It’s really exciting to be part of a team that has improved so much in the last few years," Bibb said. "Even now, I see the team getting faster and stronger every meet."

DeCesare, Bibb’s teammate and best friend, agreed.

"It’s great to be able to break peoples’ expectations," DeCesare said. "And plus, we like to see the La Reina swim team get the recognition."

Confidence is at a point now where the Regents are vocally asking for the chance to show their stuff against nearby rival and defending Marmonte League champs Thousand Oaks, but no future meet is in the books.

"A lot of us have suggested it, but it’s hard because we’re an all-girls’ school and if (T.O.) is going to schedule a meet they want it to be boys’ and girls,’" DeCesare said. "Even though are school is smaller, we feel we could do a good job."

Bibb is more upfront when asked for a prediction concerning the outcome of a dual meet with Thousand Oaks.

"I think if we were to race we’d probably win," Bibb said. "I think we’re faster."

Though she spends countless hours in and out of the pool each week training with her CSA teammates for the next big race, the always upbeat 10th grader still finds time for her studies and her second love—designing specially made, hand-crafted T-shirts, which she then sells to friends and classmates at a discount price.

"I’m really into art, and I think that’s why I’m into decorating T-shirts," said Bibb, who is the president of the sophomore class at La Reina. "I try to do it on Sundays when I have a little free time."

Despite the fact her dedication takes up so much of her time, Bibb said spending night and day in the pool is just doing what she loves to do.

"I call it my TV time, because I have so much fun doing it," she said. "It’s my passion."

Like so many talented young swimmers, Bibb holds high hopes for a shot at Olympic glory. The current goal is a spot on the 2008 U.S. team that will head to Beijing.

"That’s what coach (Davidson) and I are working towards," Bibb said.

Bibb lives in Simi Valley with her parents Bob and Mary and her younger sister Hannah. Her next meet is the Villanova Tri Meet at Ojai on April 12.