The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Former Jackrabbits Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach in 2025-26 is sponsored by Watersafe Swim School.
The Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits opened their 2026 swimming season with an impressive week, hosting back-to-back dual meets and delivering a dominant performance against Marina High School.
Poly secured decisive victories on both sides last Thursday, with the boys team winning 125–41 and the girls team earning a 126–40 win.
Several swimmers delivered standout performances for the Jackrabbits, including Charlie Peck, Townsend Kato and Nikki Bickle, as Poly captured the majority of races in the meet.
Along with the team victories, many swimmers posted personal records. Coach Ish Pluton said the early success reflects the team’s overall potential.
“There’s all this potential that’s on the table and I think everyone can kind of feel it,” Pluton said. “As a result, they’re swimming hard and fast.”
One of the biggest storylines early in the season has been the impact of freshman Mateo Vasquez, who competed in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay.
“It’s super cool to have a freshman right out of the gates being that fast, and he’s super versatile,” Pluton said. “This is the first time he swam the 500 for us. Last meet we had him in the 200 individual medley.”
The Jackrabbits are also leaning on strong leadership from the girls captains Jemma Nagle and Kayla Nguyen. Nagle competed in the 200m-individual medley, 100m-breaststroke and 200m-medley relay, while Nguyen swam the 200m-freestyle, 500m-freestyle and 200m-freestyle relay.
Along with Nikki Bickle and Sequoia Newman, Nagle and Nguyen combined for a time of 3:53.00 in the 400m-freestyle relay.
“The whole girls team can kind of rally around them and their stunning swims,” Pluton said.
With strong early performances and depth across the roster, Poly hopes to carry its momentum through the rest of the season.
Notable results
Girls varsity
200m-medley relay: Esme Stadel Serna, Nikki Bickle, Sequoia Newman, Kayla Nguyen — 1:57.69
200m-individual medley: Jemma Nagle — 2:23.45
50m-freestyle: Nikki Bickle — 25.69
100m-butterfly: Mao Guevara — 1:10.05
500m-freestyle: Kayla Nguyen — 5:47.70
200m-freestyle relay: Esme Stadel Serna, Lily Camerino, Mao Guevara, Jemma Nagle — 1:50.08
100m-backstroke: Nikki Bickle — 1:02.10
100m-breaststroke: Jemma Nagle — 1:15.35
400m-freestyle relay: Nikki Bickle, Sequoia Newman, Jemma Nagle, Kayla Nguyen — 3:53.00
Boys varsity
200m-freestyle: Aiden Greenwood — 1:53.37
50m-freestyle: Townsend Kato — 23.48
100m-butterfly: Jeremiah Estrada Ramos — 59.1
100m-freestyle: Townsend Kato — 52.27
200m-freestyle relay: Mateo Gomez, Aiden Greenwood, Ryan Oatey, Townsend Kato — 1:34.73
100m-backstroke: Charlie Peck — 1:02.08
100m-breaststroke: Elijah Livingwood — 1:06.52
400m-freestyle relay: Aiden Greenwood, Mateo Vasquez, Charlie Peck, Townsend Kato — 3:27.18
