News Summary

Katie Dusseault, a senior from Ramona High School, capped her remarkable swimming career at the State Championships in Clovis, achieving significant milestones including eight consecutive Valley League championships and a silver medal at section championships. As the first female swimmer from her school to qualify for the state meet, she leaves a lasting legacy. Dusseault maintained a 3.8 GPA while leading her team to numerous achievements, and plans to continue her swimming journey at Cal State Fullerton while majoring in business honors.

Ramona High Swimmer Katie Dusseault Shines at State Championships, Capping Off Stellar Career

Ramona, California — The swimming world recently witnessed an exciting culmination of talent, hard work, and determination as senior Katie Dusseault from Ramona High School took the plunge at the State Championships in Clovis. This event became a fitting finale to her remarkable high school swimming career.

Dusseault has made quite an impression in the pool over her four years at Ramona High. She achieved an astounding eight consecutive Valley League championships in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events. Her dedication to the sport has placed her at the forefront of high school swimming, illustrating what it means to be a champion in every sense of the word.

During her time on the team, she contributed significantly, swimming on two gold medal relay teams and guiding her teammates as the captain for two years. Her journey culminated in this year’s section championships, where she claimed the silver medal in the Division 2 50-yard finals, showcasing a time of 24.23 seconds. This stellar performance secured her a coveted spot at the state meet.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for Dusseault. As a freshman, she narrowly missed qualifying for the state meet by just one place. However, she did not let that experience deter her. Instead, she used it as fuel for her determination to pursue her goal of league championships set back in her freshman year.

At the state prelims, Dusseault faced tough competition and clocked a time of 24.82 seconds. While it was a bit slower than her previous performance at the section championships, she was excited to be a part of such a fast-paced environment. A standout performance of the day came from Jada Duncan of Rocklin Whitney High, who set a remarkable state meet record in the 50 free, finishing with a jaw-dropping time of 22.26 seconds and further improving it to 22.23 seconds in the finals. Dusseault embraced the experience, implementing her pre-race strategy of focusing inwardly, a method that has served her well in the past.

Dusseault’s swimming journey began at the tender age of five when she joined the Ramona Swim Club. There, she flourished and eventually outpaced her peers, cementing her status in the sport. Her approach to swimming is incredibly disciplined; she tends to hold her breath during most of her 50-yard race, only breathing at the turn if necessary—a testament to her strong competitive spirit.

As her high school swimming career comes to a close, Katie finds herself feeling a mix of emotions. She treasures the friendships she’s forged at school while also valuing the competitive edge fostered in her club’s atmosphere. Balancing swimming success with her academic pursuits, she has maintained an impressive 3.8 GPA throughout her high school career.

Notably, Dusseault has made history as the first female swimmer from Ramona High to qualify for the state meet. This achievement highlights her significant impact on the team and leaves a legacy for future swimmers. She holds school records for the fastest times in the 50-yard freestyle at 24.23 seconds and the 100-yard freestyle at 53.98 seconds.

While Dusseault won’t be swimming on a collegiate team, she plans to attend Cal State Fullerton, majoring in business honors, with the intention of continuing her swimming journey through club training. Her undeniable talents have helped propel Ramona’s swimming program to new heights. The boys team finished the Valley League championship meet as co-champions, while the girls team claimed a commendable tie for second place. The boys recorded a perfect 5-0 in dual meets this season, showcasing their strength in the league.

In a fitting tribute to her leadership, Dusseault anchored the 200-yard freestyle relay team, which clinched victory with a time of 1:48.85. Alongside her teammates, she’s ensured that Ramona High remains a competitive force in the pool, culminating in a season filled with remarkable achievements.

As Dusseault looks to the future, she leaves behind a legacy rich with inspiration, commitment, and the endless pursuit of excellence in the sport she loves.

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