Northwood's Derek Hitchens and Andrew Maksymowski above representing power, strength and endurance functioned together breaking school records and leading the Timberwolves combined scoring with 81 of 167 points at the 2024 CIF Southern Section D1 Championships.   Photos courtesy of Alex Tolkachev.

"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there"  - John Wooden.

The Northwood Timberwolves showed signs of growth, development and promise that could potentially translate into a swimming high school swim season next year.  

Although a team title was not in reach at the 2024 CIF Southern Section D1 Swimming and Diving Championships at the Mt. San Antonio College Aquatics Complex on May 4, 2024, the boy's team morale and self efficacy could not have been better.

The Timberwolves competed against a field of fifty-seven highly competitive private and public high school teams in Southern California.  A total of 19 Northwood swimmers impressed with 13 continuing on to finals in their CIF SS D1 Championship.  Sophomore Andrew Maksymowski, led the Timberwolves in individual events with 44 points and two "A" Finals swims.  His best individual finishes were the 200 Free and 500 Free, finishing with personal best times of 1:35.51 and 4:22.64 (CIF State Auto).  Those swims mark the fastest 200 & 500 Free times recorded in Northwood High School history breaking the 2023 records.  Maksymowski put up two of the fastest anchor freestyle splits 20.37 in the 200 Free Relay, and closed out with a quick anchor leg of 44.16 on the 400 Freestyle Relay. 

    Mt. San Antonio College Aquatic Center                               Walnut, Ca.

Two respectable individual event performances from junior Derek Hitchens who was also instrumental in Northwood's scoring with 37 points.  The junior placed 2nd in the 100 Back in a time of 48.55.  Hitchens contributed in school record breaking fashion lowering the previous 2023 mark.  In his second individual event Hitchens was given the chance to showcase his 200 freestyle talent securing 3rd in a 1:36.08 (CIF State Auto). He opened the meet in the 200 Medley Relay with a first leg backstroke split of 22.37, and concluded the venue by contributing to the 400 Free Relay, where his first leg freestyle split of 44.63 seconds not only showcased his abilities but also set another record for Northwood High School.  

Northwood's boys relay squads unquestionably shined bright locking down a third place in the 200 Medley Relay with Derek Hitchens, Ryan Connole, Elson Lee, and anchor Michael Abshier in 1:31.01, which lowered their 2023 school record mark by .37-hundredths.  The boys team placed first in a meet ending 400 Free Relay 2:59.15 (CIF State Auto) with the quartet of Derek Hitchens, Elson Lee, Will Chen, and anchor Andrew Maksymowski. This extraordinary 400 free relay performance has positioned Northwood as the fourth fastest relay high school team in the United States for the 2023-2024 swim season.

In the 200 free relay, Will Chen, and Ryan Connole, joined forces with Michael Abshier, and Andrew Maksymowski notching a fourth place in 1:23.59 (CIF State Auto) adding to the team scoring tally.

The Northwood Lady T-Wolves emerged with one individual in finals with junior Gabrielle Lan, who added a fifteen place performance.  Lan shot off the blocks with speed in the 100 fly with a swift 57.03.  She participated first leg in the 400 Free Relay splitting 52.99 with her team of Shayna Hecht, Alessia Cagnoni and Katerina Tolkachev.

The Timberwolves depth in their roster and leadership has been among their biggest strengths throughout this high school swim season.  The Timberwolves have consistently performed extremely well against some of the best high school private and public teams in Southern California.  While things often change in the post-season, Northwood always seems to show its capability as a team of consistency and hard work which always leads them to their recurring success.

Next up for the Timberwolves is the CIF State D1 Swimming & Diving Championships taking place from May 9th - 11th at the Clovis Olympic Swim Complex in Fresno, Ca.  Swimmers qualify to compete at this venue on qualifying time standards.