Derek Price, Ripon: Price grabbed a second-place finish (100 free) and a third place finish (50 free) during the Valley Oak League championships at Sierra High. Price continued his efforts into the Sac-Joaquin Section meet, earning a frosh-soph 13th-place finish in the 50 free and a 23rd-place finish in the 100 free.
John Osborn, Sierra: The Timberwolves got solid production all season from Osborne, who earns his second all-area team nod. Osborn earned top-10 finishes in the VOL championships with a third-place (200 free relay), a fourth-place (200 medley relay), sixth-place (200 free) and a seventh-place (500 free) finish.
Ben Alfter, East Union: Earned a second-place finish in the 50 free during the VOL championships, and finished fourth in the 100 fly with a time of 1:03.03. Alfter earned all-area recognition for the second consecutive season.
Zac DeGroot, Sierra: Was one of the constants for a talented Sierra High program, earing four top-10 finishes during the VOL championships. DeGroot was third in the 400 free relay, fourth in the 200 medley relay, sixth in the 200 IM and ninth in the 100 back.
Alex Wever, Ripon: Wever was an integral part of an up-and-coming Ripon Indians program, finishing third overall in the 100 fly and second overall in the 100 back during the VOL championships.
Holmstrom, the 2010 Bulletin All-Area Boys Swimmer of the Year, knows that his valued Timberwolves program is in the best shape it has been in during his four-year career. Strides taken and conquered through the 2010 season will be the foundation for success in seasons to come.
“I definitely look at this season as a success, mainly because we have come a lot further than when I was a freshman here,” Holmstrom said. “Early on, we were pretty low in the standings, but over my junior and senior years we were the best of all of the district schools (Manteca, East Union, Weston Ranch, Sierra) and third overall in league.
“That alone makes it a success.”
Holmstrom’s individual success is even harder to refute, as the chiseled swimmer closed out the VOL Championships with a 200 individual medley title, a runner-up finish in the 100 breast stroke, and a pair of top-five finishes teaming up in the relays.
The 400 free relay team earned a berth into the Sac-Joaquin Section meet, closing out the season with their personal record at Tokay High in Lodi.
“Individually, I was able to go undefeated in the 200 IM this year,” Holmstrom said. “It’s like I have come full circle since I came in on the varsity my freshman year, to going out this year as a senior.”
Both Sierra boys and girls programs have experienced a great deal of success over the past few seasons. The success is a direct result of the chemistry the team has in the pool. Finishing out the season cheering for one another was arguably the most rewarding sight seen during the section meet.
“I think this year we were a closer group than any year that I have been on the team,” Holmstrom said. “It was very cool out there. Everybody wanted the same thing and we were all in it together -- for the entire season.”
Holmstrom has been a focal part of Sierra’s success as well as the progression of the VOL. He has, without question, made a tremendous mark on the Sierra swimming program and has hopefully left a blueprint to success for future Timberwolves to follow.
“I would tell an incoming freshman to definitely go in looking to have fun,” Holmstrom advised. “Because if you’re not enjoying it, it will definitely not be worth your time. You have to enjoy yourself, but don’t waste your time either.
“Show up to practice, put in the time and you’re going to get rewards out of it.”
