2008 Woodie Awards
Monarch Swimmers Splashing Forward
Issue date: 5/4/05 Section: Sports
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By: Tammy Funicello
Valley college swimmer Megan Winchell manages to be one of the strongest swimmers in the state while juggling a coaching job and maintaining her 3.2 GPA.
Winchell swims the 50-yard and 100-yard breaststroke and is one of the three Valley swimmers to qualify for the states meet next weekend at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hills.
"That is one of the biggest meets of the year for junior college swimmers," said Winchell. "It is the meet everyone tries to qualify for so it feels really good to have made it."
Winchell starting swimming at age 5, but after high school she grew tired of the sport and didn't swim her first two years at Valley. In her third year, she joined the swim team and fell in love with the sport again.
"It is an extremely competitive sport," said Winchell. "I also like it because it's an individual and team sport. It's hard, but fun."
Winchell plans on transferring to California State University, Long Beach to swim in the fall.
The third-year Valley student works as the head coach for the women's swim team at her former high school, Crescenta Valley High to earn money for school.
When she isn't working or swimming, Winchell likes to travel to visit her friends or go to her family's home in Mexico.
"Megan puts her all into everything she does," said Winchell's best friend Stephanie Flavin. "It's her dedication that makes her successful in everything she takes on."
Winchell is taking 12 units this semester but her main focus is swimming and coaching, since she has already finished her core classes. The psychology major isn't sure of her future plans.
"I maybe want to be a health teacher or coach swimming or water polo at the college level," said Winchell. "I can't decide which one yet because I love them both."
She is the middle child in the family with an older and younger brother and likes that she's the only girl in the family.
"I am daddy's little princess," said Winchell.
The 20-year-old Jeff Benzer led the Monarchs to an outstanding season as they secured the third place in the conference.
By: Hans Cardenas/ Special to the Star
It seems that ever since Jeff Benzer was little he needed to have an aquatic life. Whether it involves catching frogs at a Sunland pond he grew up by, surfing big waves at the beach or proving his merit on the swim team, he's always been one with the water and one to bring the rest of his team along for the ride.
"He brings strong work ethics to the team," said coach Jim McMillan, was also Benzer's water polo coach. He's serious about swimming and serious about competing. It definitely rubs off on the others."
The soft-spoken 20 year old achieved his personal best time of 1:48.55 in the 200-meter freestyle at the Western State Conference held at Cuesta College last weekend. This was an accomplishment that he calls one of the best of his career.
"When I get up there I want to show the other guy that I'm just as good as him," Benzer said. "I can stick with the best and hold my own."
Benzer, an L.A. county lifeguard since 18, joined the swim team on a whim in high school to stay in shape for the water polo team but then found success where he least expected it. In fact, he chose to attend Valley College because it was the only community college in his area that had a water polo team.
The sophomore isn't all about competition though, he has a very laid back side to him. Besides spending time with his girlfriend and watching Napoleon Dynamite, he loves to surf. It's been an infatuation of his since he was 4. One of his biggest role models is legendary big wave surfer Larid Hamilton.
Benzer said, "One day I hope to accomplish half of what he has in his career."
Benzer will be transferring to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo this fall to join their water polo team.
"I'm going to miss Valley," he said. "But I won't miss the traffic."
