Florence Lo
Florence Lo (senior) secured a first-place finish in the women’s 200-yard medley relay against Whittier, the last regular season meet of the season Feb. 7. Lo also placed second in the women’s 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:09.75 and second in the women’s 200 yard individual medley with a time of 2:20.71.
Lo said she was not at her peak performance physically, and competed despite being sick.
“I had to tell my coach my chest was hurting,” Lo said. “It turned out the next day I had pneumonia. I was grateful that I was able to still swim and that my body knew the training that I’ve put in all season and in previous years. I trusted myself.”
Lo said she loves working hard to get her best results, and that her motivation comes from her desire to win.
“I’ve always loved swimming and everything that comes with it,” Lo said. “Being with my teammates and coming to practice every single day […] and then seeing that reflected in results and competition […] it’s such a great time.”
Lo said being a senior changed her outlook on this season.
“I’m really grateful that I’m able to still compete at this level and that I’m able to share this experience with my teammates, coaches and everyone that’s supported me on this journey,” Lo said.
Lo said there are challenging aspects of being a competitive swimmer, but that having a strong community helps alleviate those issues.
“A lot of people both hate and love the sport because it’s so mentally and physically taxing,” Lo said. “But the culture is just so amazing, especially if you find a good team. All four years of being on the Oxy swim team, my teammates have been so supportive […] they’ll always be at the end of your lane to cheer you on and to get you through your race.”
Swim and dive head coach Haley Meryl said Lo’s work ethic is impressive.
“[Lo] is super steadfast and incredibly committed,” Meryl said. “She doesn’t let [anything] slow her down, quite literally.”
Meryl said Lo is the ideal coachable athlete.
“[Lo] never wants to be out of the water,” Meryl said. “That’s every coach’s dream […] She wants to win races and swim fast.”
Konan Sahara
Men’s tennis player Konan Sahara picked up two wins in singles play against Arizona Christian and Riverside City Feb. 7. Sahara had 6–1, 5–7, 6–4 scores in his first match, and won his second match 6–1, 6–4.
Sahara said his performance was a nice way to rejoin the team’s lineup.
“Unfortunately, last semester I was out with an injury,” Sahara said. “The beginning of this season was me getting back, so for me to get those two wins was big. It was the first match I’ve played in a little over half a year… individually, it was a good way to start.”
Sahara said he enjoys being at tournaments with his teammates.
“I really enjoy [tennis], and the team itself is a very great environment,” Sahara said. “They push me to be better, and I do the same for them […] it’s fun to be able to compete with such a tight-knit group.”
Sahara said he was battling more than just his opponent during his matches.
“My first game was a little closer than I would have wanted,” Sahara said. “It started off very well, and then I started losing focus midway through. I think that was just me still getting back into the game, [tennis] is a very mental sport.”
Sahara said having his teammates cheer him on is what pushed him to win both games.
“[My teammates] helped me pull off the win in the first match, and then in the second match I was playing a little more exhausted than I wanted to,” Sahara said. “But I was playing on a court where basically everyone that came to watch could see [me], and that really helped me play well.”
According to associate head coach Jackson Frons, Sahara’s past performances bode well for the team’s future.
“[Sahara] won a ton of important matches for us last year, so knowing he’s 100% again is really big for the rest of our season,” Frons said.
Frons said Sahara plays his best when the pressure is on.
“[Sahara] is especially gifted in high pressure situations, taking cuts and playing really loose,” Frons said.
Frons said he has high hopes for Sahara’s future on the team.
“What I want for all our guys is [to bring] up the floor as well as [raise] the ceiling,” Frons said. “[Sahara] has really made some leaps in doubles. [I’m] excited to see where Konan’s game is heading.”
Contact Angus Kapstein Parkhill at parkhill@oxy.edu
