Swimming...on record

Since before she could remember, Mieke Howell has been swimming. Her competitive career started in club leagues at the age of 10. At 13, she transitioned into playing water polo, achieving several MVP awards throughout the club leagues. Shortly after, she swam two years at Millikan High School. As a senior, she was team captain and earned first team all league and second team CIF. This is where Howell left off to take a dive into the LAC pool for the Vikings.

In Howell's second year at LBCC, her water polo game got her an All-American selection, first team Southern California selection and an appearance at the State Finals with the polo team's second place finish.

That's not all Howell earned from the season; she noticed that she developed different aspects of her swimming. "I started to get my speed from polo this season," she said.

For Howell, going into the swimming season, she saw a record that she knew she could break. It was a goal for the season that would be accomplished at the So Cal Prelims at Chaffey College on April 17.

It was in the 50-yard breast stroke that she swam 32.20.

The record time set in 1979 was 32.68 and was one of the oldest swimming records at LBCC.

"It was in the back of my head that whole day: I wanted to break that record." Howell said, "When I did, it was a relief."

While Howell broke the swimming record, she still prefers water polo "I want to keep playing water polo for as long as I can. I love it," she said. "I never really liked swimming all that much."

Looking back at her season's accomplishments, she related it to her water polo game. "I know now I can be a fast player and not just a strong player."

Howell's daily routine revolves around the pool with twice-a-day practices, and a tough meal plan keeps her in top condition.

"I worked hard all season to get to this point. Breaking a record and winning conference made all of it worth it." Howell said.

Her name will be added to the list of athletes that hang at the LAC pool.