Program History

Photographer:  Debi Pettit
Photographer: Debi Pettit
  • 2012 CCCAA State Champions

The SRJC Men's Swim and Dive Team has been in existence for over 40 years, and the last 11 seasons have been their most successful in school history. They compete for the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) and belong to the Big Eight Conference, the most competitive conference in California, and arguably one of the fastest conferences in the nation. In the final CCCAA state rankings, the Bear Cubs have finished in the top five, eight out of the last 11 seasons, and they have finished in the top 10, 10 out of the last 11 years. During that time they have also captured four Big 8 Conference titles and have finished 2nd four times.

The 2012 team captured SRJC's first men's swim and dive state title, and they did so by the largest margin in community college history–out-scoring the runner-up by nearly 200 points. In that season alone, they captured three individual titles, four relay titles, set two new state records and broke 10 school records. At that meet the relay team of Sean Malley, John Bing, Trent Williams, and Nolan Stimple won the 200 Medley Relay shattering a 14 year-old state record by over two seconds, a record that still stands today. It was such a dominating performance that the state swim and dive coaches association honored them with the prestigious "Outstanding Performance of the Meet" award. Nicolas Suissa was named the CCCAA Male Diver of the Year as well.

Since 2004 SRJC has produced nine state champions, two national champions, three new state records, 51 new school records, and numerous conference champions and Big 8 meet records. Between our men's and women's teams, we have had over 50 swimmers and divers transfer on scholarship to the four-year level, 21 of which have been to Division I schools.

During the past 10 seasons, our teams have produced over 120 All American and All Conference athletes and over 100 All Academic Team members as well. Former men's team member, David Hernandez (All American Butterflier 08-09), was named the NATYCAA National Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year for two-year colleges in 2009 for his high level swimming performances and his perfect 4.0 GPA.

It is our mission to produce student-athletes willing to develop a high degree of self-worth and autonomy, a commitment to pursue academic and athletic excellence, a servitude to their community, and a willingness to overcome adversity.