Local Swimmers Sign Letters of Intent

Arroyo Grande High School swimmers Mia Schachter and Sonny Fierro made their future plans offical during Wednesday’s National Signing Day.

Schachter accepted a full scholarship to attend Tulane University in New Orleans, while Fierro committed to swim for the Cal Poly Mustangs.

Schachter is a four-time CIF Division II finalist in individual events. She has also been a member of three relay teams that made CIF finals. She holds multiple Arroyo Grande school records, and was recognized as an All-American after last season in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard breaststroke.

Schachter has represented the local Puma Aquatic Club at both Junior Nationals and Senior Nationals. Most recently, she competed in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2011 Winter Nationals Championships in Atlants, Ga.

Tulane University has a Division I swimming and diving team that competes in Conference USA. Schachter had offers from other Division I schools including UCLA, but chose to accept the full scholarship offered by the Green Wave.

Fierro is living on the Central Coast for the first time, having moved here from the Sacramento area at the beginning of this school year. Before he moved he swam for the Arden Hills swim team, but now trains with the Santa Maria Swim Club. He specializes in the mid to long distance freestyle events, and has swam at both Junior and Senior Nationals.  He recently swam the 400-meter freestyle at the 2011 Winter Nationals.

Fierro will join a Mustang team that is currently in its second season of competing as a member of the Pac-12 Conference.

Puma to Start Masters Program

The Puma Aquatics swim team is now offering a masters swimming program for Puma parents.

Practices for the master’s group will be held at Arroyo Grande High School during the regular practice time, which is 5:30-7:30 p.m.

As of now, the masters group is only open to Puma parents to swim on their own. Eventually, it will be opened up to more people. As the program grows, a coach will be appointed to work with the masters group.

Initially, there will be no fee. But one will instituted when the group gets large enough in order to pay for its own coach.

Parents that are interested in being a member of the masters group should go to the U.S. Masters site. When signing up register under Puma Aquatic Masters.