About Us
Discover the Thrill of Swimming with Anzar Swim Team!
The history of Anzar Swim
Re-established in 2023, Anzar Swim Team has had an incredible journey so far, and we’re excited to make new memories in 2025. Why join us? We welcome swimmers of all levels, offering a supportive environment for everyone, from beginners to seasoned athletes.
Re-Established in 2023
The Anzar Swim Team was established to provide students at Anzar High School with an inclusive environment to learn and excel in competitive swimming. Though we’re a new team, our mission is rooted in building strong foundations, teamwork, and a love for the sport.
Our 2024 Season
Our 2024 exceeded expectations! With both boys’ and girls’ teams securing impressive victories, Anzar Swim quickly made a name for itself. The dedication and hard work of our swimmers led to unforgettable moments, personal bests, and a 6-1 record for the girls’ team and a 4-2 record for the boys. Our 2024 team set 11 new school records.
2025 and Beyond
Looking forward, we aim to grow our team, attract new swimmers, and continue fostering a supportive and challenging environment. With the help of our dedicated coaching staff and the enthusiasm of our swimmers, we’re excited to build on our successes and make each season better than the last.
Larry Willis
Head Coach
Dafny Senties
Assistant Coach
I would like to introduce myself to the swimmers and parents of the 2025 Anzar High School Swim Team. My name is Dafny Senties. I recently graduated from Anzar High School and now attend Cabrillo College.
I began swimming when I was 5 years old. I joined the Anzar High School Swim Team my Junior year at Anzar. I was selected to be a team captain in my Senior year.
I am a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard and have coached swimming at the Watsonville Family YMCA for the past 2-1/2 years. I have been lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons for the City of Watsonville and QuickSilver Swimming Santa Cruz.
I’m looking forward to coaching the Anzar High Swim Team this upcoming swim season.
Natalie Hernandez
Assistant Coach
Hello Everyone! My name is Natalie Hernandez, and I’m going to be one of the assistant coaches this spring swim season. I was born and raised in Watsonville, and spent most of my life in Santa Cruz County. From a really young age I was taught to swim by my mom and my grandpa, so I’ve always had a connection to water. At my previous school Aptos High, I decided to try my hand with water polo and swim where I fell even more in love with the water. I played water polo there for three years, and then three more years of water polo at Cabrillo College, where I’m now enrolled as a student and the soon to be team manager next Fall. Our Cabrillo season was super successful, and it was amazing to have so much support from the community, especially Anzar High school. A little about me personally is that I currently coach for Santa Cruz Water Polo Club, where I teach little kids how to swim and learn the fundamentals of water polo. I also have varying hobbies besides aquatics like reading, crocheting, playing video games, and volunteering.
Victoria Flores
Captain
Ava Kapadia
Captain
Oliver Doupnik
Captain
Vinh
Lieu
Captain
Our Commitment to Excellence
Academic Achievement, Leadership, and Team Spirit
Representing 11% of the Anzar student body, our 28 swimmers are not only dedicated athletes but also excel academically, with an average GPA of 3.4 and nine members achieving a 4.0 or higher. Our team exemplifies leadership, with 7 swimmers currently holding elected positions in student government.
General questions
We practice at the 15-lane pool at Watsonville High School, providing ample space for our swimmers to train and improve.
Practice Times:
First practice February 3rd
Last practice May 1st
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
4:15 – 6:00 PM
Tuesday
4:15 – 5:45 PM
Thursday
3:30 – 5:45 PM
Our team focuses on punctuality, teamwork, respect, and resilience. We believe these values are essential for both personal growth and athletic success.
Parent support is vital to our team’s success. We rely on parents to assist with timing at swim meets and to participate in fundraising efforts, ensuring our swimmers have the resources they need.
No prior swimming experience is required. We welcome all skill levels and are committed to helping each swimmer improve. All we ask is a commitment to show up and work hard.
We understand that students may have other commitments. Our coaches offer flexibility to accommodate students involved in additional sports or school activities, helping them balance swimming with other pursuits.