Swim & Dive
Del Norte Swim & Dive 2026
Head Coach: Alexander “AJ” Penarejo | dnhswimdive@gmail.com
Dive Coach: Coach Andrea | [email protected]
Assistant Swim Coach: Kasey Vo | [email protected]
Assistant Swim Coach: Mia Case | [email protected]
MANDATORY ALL LEVELS TRYOUTS: 2/7/26 (Sat) 8:00am
First Day of Swim Practice: 2/09/26 (M) 6:15am - 8:00am
First day of Dive Practice: 2/09/26 (M) 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Practice Times:
Swim Team: (M,T) 6:15am - 8:00am | (W) 7:00am - 8:30am | (TH,F) 4:00pm- 6:00pm
Dive Team: (M-Th) 4:00pm - 6:00pm | (M/W-Westview T/TH-Del Norte)
BOYS
Avocado East League Champions - 2015, 2016
Palomar League Champions - 2017, 2023, 2024, 2025
CIF San Diego Section Div II Champions - 2015, 2016, 2017
GIRLS
Avocado East League Champions - 2015, 2016
Palomar League Champions - 2018, 2019, 2021
Palomar League Runner-Ups - 2025
CIF San Diego Section CIF Coach of the Year - Pete Murphy, 2016
CIF San Diego Section Div I Runner-Up - 2023
State’s Highest Collective Team GPA of 3.98 - 2023
💦2025 HIGHLIGHTS💦
CIF State Championships Individual Qualifier
Julien R. (SR)
CIF State Championships Relay Qualifiers
Alyssa Jane P. (SR), Ally C. (SO), Demi L (JR), Jeslyn T. (SR)
🌟2024 HIGHLIGHTS🌟
CIF State Championships Individual Qualifiers
Jacob C. (SR), Julien R. (JR)
CIF State Championships Relay Qualifiers
Jacob C. (SR), Jonathan C. (SR), Khalil J. (SR), Ben O. (FR)
Tryouts 2/7/26 at 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM: MANDATORY ALL LEVEL TRYOUTS (IF YOUR CLEARANCE HAS NOT BEEN CLEARED YET, YOU MAY NOT TRYOUT FOR THE TEAM. Please refer to the information below)
Tryouts Timeline:
- Swimmers and Divers MUST arrive and check in at 8:00 AM. DO NOT BE LATE!
- Bring your suit, goggles, cap, towels, hoodie sweater/jacket/parka to stay warm, water bottles, shoes, and snacks or light meals.
- Divers: Come to the mandatory tryout to check-in to see if you are clear, and if you haven’t yet, you can drop off your donation check at tryouts. Divers tryouts will still be held on the first day of practice on Mon., 2/9/26, @ Westview High School
- Swimmers: Warm up after check in. ALL swimmers will be timed swimming 100s of all strokes (Free, Breast, Fly, and Back).
- Estimated end time is 2:00 PM to ensure ALL swimmers participate in the 4 events.
- First practice is Mon. 2/09/26 from 6:15 AM to 8:00 AM. Refer to Swim & Dive Athletic Contract for attendance policy.
SWIM & DIVE REGISTRATION
- All student-athletes must have their “Athletic Clearance” paperwork completed and approved in Home Campus by 1/16/26. See the “Athletic Clearance” page on DNHS Athletic website for more information on obtaining clearance.
- Click here to complete the Swim & Dive Interest Form. The deadline is 1/16/26.
- Interest-Meeting with coaches during lunch on 11/20/25 at the pool deck.
SWIM & DIVE FAQs
Q: What does my child need to do to join Swim and Dive for Del Norte?
A: Every student-athlete who is interested in playing a sport at Del Norte needs “Athletic Clearance” through Home Campus. There is an Interest-Meeting for any student-athletes interested in swimming & diving on 11/20/25 during lunch at the pool deck. All interested student- athletes must attend the mandatory all level tryouts on 2/07/26 to be considered for the team. Athletic Clearance must be cleared on the Home Campus before tryouts. Remember, NO clearance, NO tryouts, NO exceptions!
Q: Can anyone be on the Swim & Dive team?
A: Everyone can participate and try out for the team but there are standards and expectations throughout the season as outlined in the team 2025-2026 Athletic Contract and/or set by the coaches. Coaches reserve the right to make cuts.
Q: Can a student-athlete miss swim practice or meets?
A: A student-athlete can miss a practice or a meet for an emergency. Student-athletes are required to be at all meets and all practices. If a student-athlete will miss a meet or practice, they need to complete the team's Absentee Form two days prior to the absence, with illness excuses required before scheduled practice time. This strict policy ensures accurate attendance tracking and accountability.
Q: How long is the swim & dive season?
A: Swim and Dive season begins in February and ends mid/late May. The first day of practice is Monday, 2/9/26 at 6:15 am.
Q: How many swim and dive meets will there be this season?
A: There are 9 meets this season, excluding Leagues and CIF championships at the end of the season. See Meet Schedule.
Q: Can my student-athlete choose his/her own swim events during meets?
A: NO because coaches will prepare the swim event lineups. The lineups are designed with much thought and care. Many factors affect how each lineup is created. However, student-athletes can communicate their preference to coaches. Parents/Guardians are not involved in this process.
Q: How many events can a student-athlete swim during a meet, including relays?
A: Generally, the maximum number of events a student-athlete can enter and swim is four, usually two individual and two relays, but will vary depending on coaches’ discretion. Coaches will prepare meet lineups a day or two before the meet. This allows the coaches to make changes to lineups as student-athletes availability changes and allows the volunteer to enter the student-athlete into the computer system for the meet. Relay order will also be at coaches’ discretion. Relays are usually stacked with student-athletes who have the fastest times, best attitudes, and consistent attendance.
Q: How can I support the DNHS Swim & Dive team operating expenses and reserves?
A: Our DNHS Swim & Dive team primarily relies on donations from parents and guardians to fund its operations and reserve funds. We recommend a voluntary donation of $200 per student-athlete. Please make checks payable to “DNHS Athletic Foundation,” and clearly write 'Swim & Dive' in the memo section. Donations can be handed in at the Mandatory Parents/Guardians Meeting or on Tryouts Day. Additionally, many employers offer charitable donation matching programs; please inquire if your employer participates, as this could significantly enhance the impact of your contribution. For information on employer matching or to obtain a donation receipt, please contact the Del Norte Athletic Foundation at [email protected], specifying that your support is intended for the Swim & Dive program. Remember, your donations are tax-deductible, as the Foundation is a recognized 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization.
Q: What does my voluntary donation contribute to in supporting the DNHS Swim & Dive program?
A: Your voluntary donations play a direct role in supporting our student-athletes by funding necessary items such as team caps, t-shirts, and the costs associated with invitational meets and bus transportation. They also help cover expenses related to Athletic Foundation insurance, account service fees, and the facilities our team uses. Beyond these essentials, your contributions help us foster team spirit and recognition through various activities, including Senior Night, team awards, bonding events, and the production of team banners. Your support also aids in the purchase and maintenance of equipment and finances travel for CIF State Championships. Your generosity ensures our student-athletes have the resources they need to thrive and acknowledges their hard work and achievements.
Q: What about team competition suits and team jackets?
A: This season, we will provide competition suits that function as team uniforms on meet days. Athletes are responsible for checking out their suits and must return them on the same day for proper care and maintenance by our team staff. A penalty fee may be charged for suits not returned on the same day. The competition suits will also be available for purchase. Please note that team jackets are optional and purchased separately.
Q: Am I required to volunteer during “home” meets?
A: Each parent/guardian is expected to volunteer 1-2 meets throughout the season. We rely on our volunteers to run our “home” meets smoothly. The typical volunteer jobs on meet day include set up, clean up, head timer, lane timer, and meet runner. Any help you can provide throughout the season would be appreciated.
Q: How can I contact coaches?
A: You can always contact coaches by email dnhswimdive@gmail.com.
**All student-athletes MUST have a cleared Home Campus account in order to try out. Remember, NO clearance, NO tryouts, NO exceptions!**
ABOUT THE COACHES
Coach AJ (Head Swim & Dive):
Coach AJ is entering his 4th season as DNHS Swim Coach and his 2nd year as head coach. A native San Diegan, AJ grew up in Poway, where he earned his varsity letter for three years at Poway High School. He swam competitively for eight years with the local swim club, Pacific Swim, where he coached multiple age groups. AJ enjoys teaching his young swimmers the fundamentals of strokes and turns while keeping the training fun and positive. In addition to coaching, AJ works as Campus Security at DNHS and is taking a break from school but still pursuing a degree in Kinesiology. Outside of coaching and studying, he loves to spend time with family and friends, be active, and play paintball when free.
Coach Andrea (Dive Coach):
Coach Andrea is new to the Del Norte Swim and Dive team, but has been coaching dive at Westview High School since the 2019 season and has coached several divers at CIF Sectional and State Championships. She spent 2 years diving at WVHS and 2 years diving at San Diego Mesa College. Andrea competed twice at CCCAA State Championships, qualifying on 1m both years and 3m her final year. She then retired from diving due to unrelated injuries, but still likes to stay active by swimming and hiking in her free time. She received her BA in Linguistics from UCSD and has been TEFL and ABAT certified.
Coach Kasey (Assistant Swim Coach):
Coach Kasey is entering his 4th year as an Assistant Swim Coach at DNHS. He grew up in San Diego and swam for DNHS throughout his Varsity career. Kasey began coaching during a gap semester while attending UC Berkeley and returned to DNHS a couple years later as a coach after graduating. He has continued coaching while working full-time in the tech industry and recently completed his graduate degree. He’s excited to be back for another season with the team!
Coach Mia (Assistant Swim Coach):
Coach Mia is new to the DNHS swimming program. She grew up in Bellingham, Washington where she was a varsity athlete for Sehome High School as well as a club swimmer for Skagit Valley Aquatics. She is finishing up her last year at San Diego State University where she is studying physics. In her free time she enjoys surfing, waterskiing, and backpacking. Coach Mia is very excited to be a part of the team this season!