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12/13/2017 11:00 PMIt isn’t every day that a sophomore swimmer can stake claim to both a school record and an all-time record for a championship meet in the same event. However, that’s exactly what Hand’s Kayla Mendonca has accomplished at the halfway mark of her high school career.
Kayla started swimming competitively when she was seven and stuck with it as her main sport. Kayla rode those waves of dedication toward setting the school record in the 100 backstroke as a freshman last fall. In her recent sophomore season, Kayla took first place in the backstroke at the SCC Championship with a time of 56.98 seconds to break her own school record, while setting a new SCC Championship record in the event.
Kayla went on to finish second (58.19) in the backstroke at the Class L State Championship and then took seventh (58.67) at the State Open. When all was said and done, Kayla earned All-SCC and All-State honors for the 100 backstroke, and she also made All-SCC in the 200 individual medley with her third-place finish at the Conference Championship.
“I wasn’t expecting to break the record at SCCs. It was exciting when it happened, and my teammates and parents were supporting me and so happy,” says Kayla, who helped the Tigers finish fourth and seventh at SCCs and states, respectively. “I was excited for the race. I knew there would be good competitors and a good race. I got in the water and just tried to get my best time. I felt really good going into the finish, and I was amazed when I touched the wall.”
The backstroke is at the top of the list when it comes to Kayla’s favorite events. However, Kayla also likes the 200 individual medley since it gives her a chance to work on improving all four strokes.
“I like the backstroke, because two years ago in club swimming, I had some good races with it and stuck with it,” Kayla says. “I do also like the individual medley, because I like to do different strokes. It gives me a chance to work on the breaststroke.”
Kayla has met people from all around the state by participating in so many competitions. As a result, she’s formed friendships with several people who are fellow members of the Connecticut swimming community.
“There are so many people that I’ve met through swimming. I’ve met people all over the state and country and became friends with them,” says Kayla. “I also like how with high school swimming, it is an individual sport, but you get to also succeed as a team.”
Hand Head Coach Jen Lyman says that Kayla’s commitment to swimming provides a tremendous source of motivation for the Tigers. Lyman adds that Kayla also displays great sportsmanship that’s earned her the respect of her opponents.
“It is her versatility that gave her team strength with their winning season at 8-3 and fourth-place finish at the SCC Championships. She is someone that the team can rely on in a meet with any event,” says Lyman. “Her commitment with the sport outside of the season has been a great reason of why we can rely on her. Her humbleness, competitive edge, and sportsmanship is what makes her team and opponents cheer her on.”
In addition to becoming a more technically sound swimmer, Kayla has also developed an extra layer of mental strength throughout the years. Kayla realizes that she won’t set a personal-best mark every time she hits the water, but she knows that she has to continue striving for excellence.
“My coaches have helped me with my technique and have helped me get faster,” Kayla says. “I learned that sometimes you won’t get your best time, but you have to move on and work harder. My coaches have also taught me that it makes you work harder to get those results you want.”
As she enters the back half of her high school career, Kayla is looking at even bigger picture as she wants to qualify for a major national competition in the backstroke.
“This past summer, I came close to qualifying for the Junior Nationals in the backstroke, so that is the next thing I will try for and hopefully make,” says Kayla. “I want to try and qualify for more higher-level meets, and there are also techniques I can improve on.”