Anticipating the whistle, Parker Del Baso was born ready to win her race. She jumps into the water and burns through her competition. She puts in the work daily to improve, which pays off for her as she can break the school’s singles and relay swimming records. Parker is not only making history at SMHS but also nationwide: ranked third in California and 33rd in the nation. In addition to breaking her relay record, she also has broken two freestyle and backstroke records at SMHS.
Parker recalls her favorite memory of her four years at SMHS: “My favorite memory from SMHS swimming is probably when my 400 free relay team (Hayden Cutler, Rebecca Buss, Claire Kuziemko, and herself broke the 19-year-old school record! We were so amped up for the relay, and beating the record was so rewarding after all the hard work we put into the season. I am so thankful for my teammates’ support and friendship.” Parker states.
Ms. Parodi, Parker’s swim coach at San Mateo High School, reciprocates Parker’s appreciation. “Parker has such a great outlook on swimming. She is always there to cheer on others and to help the swimmers with a dive or turn. She is available to the other swimmers always to be a support and mentor.”
Ms. Parodi also comments on Parker’s extreme talent, saying that Parker “makes swimming look so easy. She has put in years of work, in and out of the pool, to make it look so seamless. She has battled through injuries with grace and perseverance.”
These achievements and records were extremely difficult to achieve. Still, with help from her peers, teacher, and family, Parker was able to persevere through the hardships and ultimately reach her goals. Even more incredible: she was able to balance all her extracurriculars while maintaining a 3.6 GPA, showing that her efforts did not stop in the pool. In the upcoming years, Parker will attend college at the University of Pittsburgh to continue her swimming career and obtain a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. However, her special talents will have a lasting impact even after graduating from San Mateo High School, in the form of her multiple swimming records.