Rika Yahashiri ’21 Named MVC Swimmer of the Year
Rika Yahashiri ’21 prepares to swim the 50 meter freestyle in a dual meet against Linn Mar
October 31, 2020
Slamming her hand to the wall, Rika Yahashiri ‘21 looks at the scoreboard in shock at the sight of a state qualifying time. She got a time of 1:07.86 in the 100 meter breaststroke, making her the seventh fastest in the event in the state.
A little less than a week later, Yahashiri, also a swim team captain, was named the Mississippi Valley Conference Swimmer of the Year.
“Zane sent me an email and I couldn’t believe my eyes. Like who would vote me out of everyone else? I was super shocked,” Yahashiri said. “This really helps me have motivation to finish the season strong.”
Zane Hugo, the City High swim team’s head coach, explained that Mississippi Valley Conference swim coaches voted on who would get the award.
“Rika definitely deserves the honor, not only is she a strong competitor, but she is also very passionate about the sport,” Hugo said.
Yahashiri has felt like this season has been very different from past seasons because of COVID-19. However, she has enjoyed being able to slow down and focus on swimming.
“I think there are good things [to come] out of the season. Things aren’t as busy and hectic and I have more time to breathe and relax,” Yahashiri said. “Swimming is more of a mental sport than physical sport so I think this season has been a fun relaxed season amidst the hecticness of COVID-19.”
Looking into the future, Yahashiri hopes to finish in the top eight in both of her events, the 100 meter breaststroke and 50 meter freestyle, at the state meet.
“I’m looking for her to finish out her senior season really well,” Hugo said.
