Riding on the crest of a successful wave during this 2021 season the Northwood Timberwolves girls swim team has been a dominant force during the high school swimming scene. Leading the way are four competitors who have played a big role with stellar performances as a collaborative force to be reckoned with. Photos courtesy of Alex Tolkachev.
“The best competition I have is against myself to become better." - John Wooden.
As the high school swim season heads into the homestretch, the Northwood High School girls' team finds itself in a familiar and enviable position, poised to take a serous run at a 2021 Pacific Coast League title.
“We're a good, solid team," said Alex Nieto, the longtime head swim coach at Northwood High, a perennial powerhouse who guided the Timberwolves to a boy's state championship in 2018 and a long string of CIF, PCL and Irvine Relay Championship finishes stretching from 2015 to 2019. "The girls are really eager to get out there to push each other to be the best athlete they can be and have really enjoyed the efforts of a solid group giving our team depth this season," Nieto said.
The Northwood Timberwolves girls team appears to be peaking at just the right time, a dominant force and leading the way this season are four competitors who have played a big role helping their team to strong performances in the 3-1 dual league season -- Taylor Inouye, Acile Jammoul, Katerina Tolkachev, and Kim Huynh.
Taylor Inouye, has established herself as a two-time varsity member of Northwood's swim team, and instrumental swimmer with SoCal Aquatics. She competes in the 100/200 breaststroke and in three relays -- the 200 freestyle, 200 medley and 400 free. She's in her sophomore year at Northwood with pursuits in medical science and healthcare.
One of the freshman having a stellar performance this season is Katerina Tolkachev who specializes in the 200 and 500 free events, and set the team's season best marks in those swims. Tolkachev swims year-round with Irvine Novaquatics during the club season, and interests in studying medicine/pre-med.
Also among Northwood Timberwolves leading point-producers this season is sophomore Acile Jammoul who own's the team's top mark in the 100 backstroke and contributing factor in the 200 IM. Jammoul is developing her studies towards a path in architecture.
And not to be overlooked is sophomore Kim Huynh who gives the Lady T-Wolves a strong presence in the 100 fly. Huynh posted good times in a variety of races, including the 200 and 500 free, the 100 backstroke, and the 200 IM.
In addition to having many of the top swimmers in the Pacific Coast League, Northwood Timberwolves, as always, has an intangible asset working strongly in its favor: strong team spirit and commitment. The atmosphere at Northwood is unmatched, and only makes the group of girls stronger and closer. Being on the Northwood High School swim team gives them a second family.
“Each member of the team is important," Nieto said. "We're all about bringing everybody together, making sure every person knows there's a place on the team and that they are important. They practice hard, they cheer and support one another, and they understand each other's goals."
Tolkachev agreed: "The dynamic is especially good this season," she said. "We're super close as a team, and we're having a lot of fun and swimming fast. It will be exciting to see our whole team at the Pacific Coast League Championship next month, and to see what will happen."
“In order to get faster, you have to put the work in, and everyone has been doing that this season," Nieto said. "It's a fun group to be around. Everyone gets to swim. Everyone gets to improve. Everyone gets to be a part of this team, and I think that is very important as they move on to the real world."
During this regular league season so far, Northwood High School girls dominated the competition with wins in dual meets at Irvine HS (104-66), Portola HS (100-70), and Beckman HS (118-52).
At the upcoming Pacific Coast League Championship meet, Northwood will receive tough competition from many of the usually strong teams, University High School and Woodbridge High School both currently undefeated, but the Timberwolves are ready.