Arguably the greatest season in the history of the Hawks program came in 2017. The collection of talent and endurance swept away head coach Jason Craighead.
Diver Valentina Barbalinardo won two medals at the state championships that year, silver in the one-meter diving competition and bronze in the three-meter. Paris Sinclair and Amaya Batiza earned bronze — Sinclair in the 200 freestyle and Batiza in the 1,650 freestyle — led a women’s squad that finished fifth in the state.
Matt Lee added more bronze to the collection, taking third in the 100 backstroke on the men’s side. As did Emil Graversen, who took bronze in the 200 yards of backstroke. The men finished fourth in the state championships.
Those were the glory days of Las Positas swim and dive. And Craighead longs for another performance that can measure up to 2017. The 2026 season is already giving him a glimpse into what was.
“We have built on the success of last year’s conference championship,” Craighead said, “and are shooting for the highest finish at state championships in our history.”
So far this season, the Hawks have a few standout swimmers. Freshman Nathanael Ridosko is the leading points-getter for the men, which have two second-place finishes this season.
Freshman Filuka Houborg and Samanthana Fehr have powered the women to four top-three finishes in LPC’s five meets this season. The women — which have really impressed, according to coach Jason Craighead.
With the season halfway over, the Hawks feel even better about their primary goal. The next stretch of meets will be important for giving the Hawks a clearer picture of their chances.
The goal: to make school history.
He said the next two meets will be the toughest competition. The Hawks are currently competing at the Miyashiro Invite at Santa Rosa Junior College. Then, beginning on March 27, Las Positas will host the Hawk Invite, the largest meet in Northern California.
Whatever their chances at state, the Hawks know who will lead the way. Making history will require their best swimmers to be elite.
“As a whole,” Crighead said, “it really is our last chance to see what each individual can do and what our potential is for conference championships, and separately what our potential can be at the state championships.”
Ridosko leads both the men and team in points, averaging 609.10. The freshman has collected four golds, all in freestyle events, at the El Camino 3x invitational, where the Hawks ranked first overall with 164 points. At the Coast Conference kickoff, Ridosko ranked fourth overall with 538.8 points. He took first place in the 1650 and 200 freestyle races. At the De Anza Invite on Feb. 27, Ridosko emerged as the second-top performer for men, performing mostly in freestyle and relays. Overall, the men have two second-place finishes this season, with Ridosko contributing in several events.
Houborg and Fehr have powered the women to four top-three finishes in Las Positas’ five meets this season. Houborg was Las Positas’ leading scorer in the season opener with 543 points, winning events like the 200 and 500-yard freestyle, and later took home seven golds and one silver at the El Camino 3x invitational. She also ranked first in the 1,650-yard freestyle and 400 IM at the Coast Conference kickoff and won six out of eight events at the De Anza invite, totaling 477.2 points.
Fehr scored 466.3 points in the opener, ranking first in the 100 breast and second in the rest of her events, then earned four golds and one silver at El Camino, mostly in breaststroke events. She came in first for the 100-yard breast and second in her 100 IM and 200 free relay at the Coast Conference kickoff, and totaled 445.3 points at the De Anza invite, winning three of six events.
Their consistent scoring across multiple events has been a major factor in the women’s top finishes this season.
The women have really impressed, according to head coach Jason Craighead. Houborg and Fehr have been amazing. Their performances have been a major factor in the team’s top finishes, showing consistent scoring across multiple events and helping Las Positas maintain a strong presence in every meet.
Craighead said the next two meets will be the toughest of the competition. After the Bob Miyashiro Invite, happening March 19-21 in Santa Rosa, Las Positas hosts its annual Hawk Invite on March 27. It’s the largest invitational in the state, with over 20 teams competing in both swim and dive, making it one of the most important meets of the year. These meets will test the Hawks’ depth and consistency as they try to turn entries into points over multiple events.
Whatever their chances at State Championships, the Hawks know who will lead the way. Making history will require their best swimmers to be at their best level, consistently. With their depth, the results could be historic.
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TOP PHOTO: Filuka Houborg swims to a first-place finish at the Bob Miyashiro Invitational, winning six races and helping the Hawks secure second overall. (Photo by Alan Lewis/ Special to The Express)
Annie Moore is the Sports Editor of The Express. Follow her on X @SanJosAnnie.
