Chris Dominguez simply wasn’t satisfied with his efforts at the 2008 Central Section swimming and diving championships, not that they were anything to complain about.
He was second in the 200 freestyle, a member of Clovis High’s winning 400 free relay team and part of the runner-up 200 free relay team. He also was disqualified in the 100 free.
For most swimmers, that would have been a pretty good day.
Clovis High's Chris Dominguez is The Bee's boys Swimmer of the Year for 2009.
For Dominguez, it sent him back to the pool determined to double his efforts.
After dedicating himself to year-round club swimming for the first time, Dominguez felt much better about the outcome of the 2009 section finals, where he won four events, all in All-America times.
Dominguez is The Bee’s Boys Swimmer of the Year.
“Last year at Valley, I didn’t swim as well as I hoped I would,” Dominguez said. “I wanted to do a lot better. So I worked hard. This was my first year doing club. That was a big part of it. I’m just glad it paid off in the end.”
It sure did.
Dominguez, who also was a key member of Clovis’ section-champion water polo team, kicked off the final meet of his high school career by clocking a 1:39.94 in the 200 free. He would go 46.06 in the 100 free, then swim the leadoff legs in the 200 free (1:25.70) and 400 free (3:07.16) relay teams.
“He was going back and forth in polo and swimming,” Cougars coach Peter Tragitt said. “He really doesn’t have the size that is most advantageous in polo, and in my opinion, always was a better swimmer than polo player.
“I told him if he really wants to see how fast he can go, he needs to kick it up a notch and it really paid off for him.”
About Chris Dominguez
Vitals: Clovis, senior, 100 free, 200 free, 200 free relay, 400 free relay
He’s qualified because: Was part of four All-America times and four victories at the section finals. Individually, he won the 100 free (46.06) and the 200 free (1:39.94). Also a member of the 200 free (1:25.70) and 400 free (3:07.16) relay teams. Plans to attend Willow International in Clovis while continuing to train year-round with the Clovis Swim Club in hopes of signing with a Division I college in the fall.
He said it: “He kind of committed himself to swimming year round, which he hadn’t done in the past. In deciding he wanted to go double days, Chris made a huge commitment to becoming a better swimmer.” — Clovis coach Peter Tragitt
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