The Northwood High School Timberwolves displayed sheer dominance competing with area IUSD high schools Beckman, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Portola, University and Woodbridge to lift the champions banner at the 2021 Pacific Coast League Championships.  Photo courtesy of Alex Tolkachev.

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."  - Michael Jordan.

William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center played host to this year's Pacific Coast League Championship finals featured on Friday, May 21, 2021.  In all, 7 high schools and 558 participants (combined divisions) competed for individual and relay titles, and ultimately, for the overall title.  Northwood had a very solid showing in a field of exceptionally tough competitors.  The Timberwolves greatest strength has always been in its extraordinary depth, and this was none more apparent tonight.

For Northwood boys, this season was all about the journey achieving accolades with an exemplary regular season record of 6-0.  Most events today featured not just one strong Northwood swim, but several.  The Timberwolves won titles in the 100 fly and 100 back, and garnered a top-three finish nine times.  Northwood outlasted rising second-place Portola by a wide margin, 643-427.5.  The best measure of Northwood's depth came in on the 200 IM and 100 freestyles where the Timberwolves placed all four swimmers in the top eight.  Out of the 2,500 possible points in the meet, Northwood's boys took a whopping 23.34%.

Northwood's wins in the boys relays showcased the squad's stamina and depth.  The Timberwolves began and ended the night with titles in 2 of 3  relay victories, taking the 200 medley relay (1:36.75) and 400 free relay to close out the meet (3:10.12).

Northwood's Christopher Leung turned in his two best individual title performances winning the 100 butterfly with a personal best time of 49.08, and 100 backstroke of 52.00.  Leung also anchored the 400 free relay team with a quick 46.19, and 200 medley butterfly leg 22.17.  These performances resulted in putting up the most total rankings points for Northwood on the male side (44 points).

The Northwood Lady T-Wolves squad stayed firmly in runner-up second place position throughout the meet.  Northwood's girls finished overall in a very respectable second place against the defending PCL Champion Woodbridge Warrior girls.  The Lady T-Wolves scored with four top-three placements, and fifteen times in the top-eight.  Ultimately, the meet ended with Northwood's girls earning 477 points to the Lady Warriors 583.5.

Sophomore Kim Huynh made her presence known in the first individual event contributing a title in the 100 freestyle with a 52.90.  Huynh followed suit placing second in the 200 IM with 2:10.79.   She would additionally take part in the 200 and 400 free relay teams second leg (24.70) and anchor (52.65).  Huynh was a significant points contributor for Northwood, and energized the Lady T-Wolves relay teams for the needed momentum boost (41 points). 

For coaches, it was an opportunity to observe their teams compete in a format similar to the CIF Championships, and to see where certain swimmers succeeded or where improvements must be made.

“I am so proud of the team and how we finished tonight," Northwood Head Coach Alex Nieto said. "We finished with an overall team high score and the progress we made steadily throughout the evening was nothing short of impressive."