Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE - Friday, February 15, 2019 Kevin Ochoa might be State Swim Champ K By Steve Freker evin Ochoa has been in the pool since he was fi ve years old and swimming competitively for almost as long. Still, this weekend the Malden High School senior could make the biggest splash of his career to date. Ochoa, who smashed his own school record in the event Sunday at the MIAA Division 1 North Sectional Swim Meet at MIT, is one of the favorites to win the State Championship in the 200 freestyle event. Want more? Ochoa also broke ANOTHER school record this past weekend, in the 100 butterfly event. He also finished second overall and could be State Champion when all the water settles this weekend, as well. His coach, veteran Malden High School swim boss Paul DeVincentis, thinks Ochoa has his best shot at being tops in the state in the butterfl y. "Kevin (Ochoa) is seeded fi rst in the 100 fl y and I really believe he has a great chance to win it," DeVincentis said, notMHS Golden Tornadoes boys relay team members, from left; David Lombardi MHS Golden ornadoes bo David Lombardi Tony Giech Kevin Ochoa and Haoxi Wang. Giech K vin Ochoa and Haoxi elay team members, from left; ang Lady ornadoes relay team, from left; Abb Chloe Akombiombi, Joanne Ho, Joanne Ho, and P, and Pam Coelho. am C elho ing that if Ochoa was to prevail, he would be just the third Malden High School state swim champion in school history. "He's had a great career here and it would be fantastic to see him accomplish something like that, a state championship." Ochoa will have a lot of company at the State Finals this Lady Tornadoes relay team, from left; Abby Tang, Chloe A ang Kevin Ochoavin Ochoa DaDavid Lombardi weekend at Boston University. A number of his teammates will join him, as Malden High swimmers had a banner weekend. "We had a great showing with 17 out of 18 fi nishes by Malden swimmers in the various events were personal bests," Coach DeVincentis said. Ochoa will also be participating in the state fi nals on two Malden relay teams, the 200 medley relay, where Malden was 10th and the 200 freestyle relay, where Malden was 14th in the Sectionals. Ochoa will be joined by www.reverealuminumwindow.com teammates Haoxi Wang, Tony Giech and David Lombardi in those relay event. vid Lombardi Lombardi, just a sophomore, fi nished fi fth in the 200 individual medley and will compete in that event this weekend. In the girls’ competition, Malden's Abby Tang, Chloe Akombi, Joanne Ho and Pam Coelho will participate in the 200 freestyle relay in the State Finals. Akombi will compete in the 100 butterfl y after fi nishing 7th in the Sectional and will also compete in the 100 backstroke after fi nishing 9th individually in that event. "It's an exciting time of year and I am glad Malden is performing so well. Hopefully we can keep it up this weekend," Coach DeVincentis said.
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