Orange Lutheran seniors Anderson Prior and Cooper Calderon are integral parts of OLu's water polo and swimming programs. While both got their start in water polo, they have found a passion for swim and are helping to lead the Lancers this spring season.
 
Prior specializes in the butterfly stroke and competes in the 100 meter race and relays, taking after his father who also swam butterfly events. Calderon swims the freestyle, and while most of his competition experience is in the sprints and relays, he has added the 500 meter long distance event to his repertoire. It's a race that requires a significant amount of focus and strategy.
 
"For the 500 (meter race), I enjoy that there's a gain and loss to it," says Calderon. "Just because you're a little bit behind at the beginning doesn't mean can't make your way back up. It's a strategy where you have to decide when you want to push. One percent now is like ten percent later, so you have to know how to handle your energy and when to use it."
 
Serving as one of the captains this season, Prior is intentional about guiding his teammates, especially the younger swimmers. He organizes warmups, helps to ensure everyone gets to their events and encourages participation through team-wide support.
 
"Anderson's enthusiasm and drive to perfect his technique in the pool is infectious amongst his teammates," says OLu aquatics coach Joe Molina. "Andy not only brings enthusiasm to the team, but he also brings everyone together. His leadership, in and out of the pool, has made Anderson a great captain, teammate and friend during his time with OLu swim."
 
Last spring, Calderon earned a spot in the CIF postseason in the 50 meter freestyle event, and accomplishment he hopes to repeat this year. Now that he has added the 500 meter freestyle, he is learning to manage the different requirements for each length of race.
 
"Cooper's relentless pursuit to get stronger and faster in the water has made him one of few athletes who is willing and able to take on any swim event against any opponent," says Molina. "Led by his faith, Cooper has committed himself to the team and our journey. Always humble, always present and always positive, Cooper will be dearly missed on our pool deck."
 
Both Prior and Calderon take a lot of pride in swimming for OLu and are grateful to be surrounded by a community of faith and support.
 
"I've competed for a lot of teams here…and there's something about putting on the school name," says Prior. "You're representing your school and your school is who you are. There's pride in being part of OLu."
 
"It's the bond that all of us share with each other," added Calderon. "Here it's a (group) of people who have mostly the same morals as me, and so it's easier to bond with them and actually build a friendship."
 
Prior and Calderon race together for the Lancers in the sprint medley relay, and they agree that time spent with teammates on the pool deck is the aspect of competing they will miss the most.
 
"It's always a good time being on the pool deck with all your friends," says Prior. "This year has been fun because the smaller team is more tight knit. It's the moments on the pool deck that you don't forget."
 
With years of competition between them in both swim and water polo, Prior and Calderon have learned a lot about patience and perseverance. But above all, both are grateful for the chance to train and compete.
 
"The main thing (swim) has taught me is to appreciate that you're there," says Prior. "What a blessing to be able to be tired. Not everyone gets these opportunities. Swim really taught me to just appreciate where you are and appreciate the opportunities you've been given."
 
Prior and Calderon are active in OLu's campus community. Calderon is a member of the Global Citizens Pathway, and Prior currently serves as co-president for Ignite, a student-led mentoring program designed to help new students become part of the Lancer family.
 
"I love the program, and I enjoyed my time in it as a freshman," says Prior of Ignite. "It's like being an older brother for the next generation. We had a crazy amount of applicants this year, the most applicants in a long time. We added new events to Ignite this year, so I'm proud of what we've done."
 
Both Prior and Calderon are exploring their college options and will likely start at community college before transferring to a four-year institution. Prior is undecided on his major, while Calderon plans to study kinesiology with the goal of becoming an athletic trainer.
 
After many years of swim and water polo, both have decided to step away from competitive athletics. They are grateful for their support systems, which for Prior, includes his younger sisters, Audrey and Annika, a freshman and junior at OLu, respectively. Calderon draws inspiration from his youth coach Aiden, as well as his older sister, Bella Calderon '24, who attends UCI and is a member of the women's water polo team.
 
Both in athletics and academics, Prior and Calderon are guided by their faith and use the opportunities they have been given to glorify God and serve others.
 
"God put me on this earth and gave me the body to swim, so I'm going to use it to glorify and praise him," says Calderon. "In senior year theology, I learned that you not only do everything for God, but you also do it for those around you. So I'm here for my teammates as well by pushing hard and giving it all I can."