Sports Are Back: SMC vs Bakersfield College Swim Meet

Santa Monica College’s swim and dive team returned to action on April 16, 2021 after the colleges non-contact sports resumed.  They kicked the season off with a home meet against Bakersfield College.  It was first competition for the team since the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Sports deemed to have too much contact have still not resumed.

Athletes are able to retain eligibility a year of eligibility for the season lost to pandemic, but still some have chosen to sit out for the season, as many sports have been complicated by the pandemic protocols and procedures.

The stands were empty and social distancing was strictly enforced among attendees, officials, and coaches and athletes.  Such stringent rules are put in place to keep student athletes from getting sick and potentially risking the season.  Nonetheless, three generations of a masked family peered through the glass windows facing the public street hoping to catch a race.  

Giuliana Catro competes in the 100 yard butterfly at the Santa Monica Swim Center in Santa Monica, California on Friday, April 17, 2021. It was the SMC's first swim meet since the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joshua Smith (left), from the SMC Men's swim team leaps from the starting block on April 16, 2021, at the Santa Monica College Pool located in Santa Monica, Calif. After being forced to shutdown for nearly a year from the COVID-19 pandemic, the sports programs such as the swim team and other non-contact sports, are finally able to compete again. (Jon Putman / The Corsair)

Saef Shaik, from the Santa Monica College Men's Swim Team, prepares for his solo race in the Men's 50 yard Backstroke on April 16, 2021, in Santa Monica Calif. After being forced to shutdown for nearly a year from the COVID-19 pandemic, the sports programs such as the swim team and other non-contact sports, are finally able to compete again. (Jon Putman / The Corsair)

Members on the Santa Monica College Women's Swim team prepare for their 200 yard Medley race on April 16, 2021, in Santa Monica Calif. After being forced to shutdown for nearly a year from the COVID-19 pandemic, the sports programs such as the swim team and other non-contact sports, are finally able to compete again. (Jon Putman / The Corsair)

Elijah Bell (left), Mikhai Davis, and Aaron Luguan, from the Santa Monica College Men's Swim Team, take on their opponets in the Mens 50 yard Breath stroke on April 16, 2021, in Santa Monica, Calif. After being forced to shutdown for nearly a year from the COVID-19 pandemic, the sports programs such as the swim team and other non-contact sports, are finally able to compete again. (Jon Putman / The Corsair)

Deisy Jaime Mozqueda prepares for her race in the Women's 200 Yard Medley Relay on April 16, 2021, in Santa Monica Calif. After being forced to shutdown for nearly a year from the COVID-19 pandemic, the sports programs such as the swim team and other non-contact sports, are finally able to compete again. (Jon Putman / The Corsair)

Kaley Drewry (Bakersfield College) and Karla Ramirez (Santa Monica College) compete in the 100 yard breaststroke at the Santa Monica Swim Center in Santa Monica, California on Friday, April 17, 2021. It was the SMC's first swim meet since the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joshua Smith competes in the 100 yard butterfly at the Santa Monica Swim Center in Santa Monica, California on Friday, April 17, 2021. It was the SMC's first swim meet since the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A member of the Bakersfield Women's Swim team breaks the surface of the water in a meet with Santa Monica College on April 16, 2021, in Santa Monica Calif. After being forced to shutdown for nearly a year from the COVID-19 pandemic, the sports programs such as the swim team and other non-contact sports, are finally able to compete again. (Jon Putman / The Corsair)

Kristian Canchola-Miranda of the Mens Swim team at Santa Monica College breaks the surface of the water in a breath stroke race against opponets on April 16, 2021 in Santa Monica, Calif After being forced to shutdown for nearly a year from the COVID-19 pandemic, the sports programs such as the swim team and other non-contact sports, are finally able to compete again. (Jon Putman / The Corsair)

Risa Akatsu prepares her goggles for the meet with Bakersfieldd college on April 16, 2021, in Santa Monica Calif. After being forced to shutdown for nearly a year from the COVID-19 pandemic, the sports programs such as the swim team and other non-contact sports, are finally able to compete again. (Jon Putman / The Corsair)

Karla Ramirez, from the Santa Monica College Women's Swim Team, competes in the Women's 50 yard Breaststroke on April 16, 2021, in Santa Monica Calif. After being forced to shutdown for nearly a year from the COVID-19 pandemic, the sports programs such as the swim team and other non-contact sports, are finally able to compete again. (Jon Putman / The Corsair)