Merced-area swimming and track stars sign letters of intent

Jande Monteon and Josh Fluetsch knew they wanted to be swimmers at a young age. Both grew up in the Merced Skimmers youth program and became star swimmers for Merced High School.

Both will continue to swim in college after signing national letters of intent Tuesday.

Monteon is headed to Cal State East Bay, where she’ll join Merced teammate Laurel Carpenter, who signed in the fall. Fluetsch will swim at California Baptist University.

“I’m very happy,” Monteon said. “It was kind of late in the process for me. I didn’t get in contact with the Cal State East Bay coach until March. So it happened kind of quickly.”

Monteon visited Colorado State Pueblo and had a letter of intent from the ThunderWolves at home. However, the opportunity to stay closer to home directed her toward Cal State East Bay.

“When I was a freshman, that’s when I knew I wanted to swim in college,” Monteon said. “Swimming is something I love, and I’m looking forward to the experience.”

Fluetsch visited California Baptist last summer and made an official visit in January. He quickly felt comfortable with Lancers coach Rick Rowland.

“I really clicked with him,” Fluetsch said. “He’s very talkative, always upbeat and never down. When I went on my official visit, I met some of the guys. There’s a couple (of) guys I played polo with and raced against that are a year ahead of me. It’s cool that we have something in common.”

Monteon and Fluetsch have helped the Merced aquatics program dominate the Central California Conference. Fluetsch and the boys have won seven consecutive CCC championships, and Monteon and the girls have won six in a row.

“It’s a big thanks to all my coaches with the Skimmers and everybody who has helped me, especially (Merced coach) Kit Grattan, who has been working me since I was in eighth grade,” Fluetsch said. “All the years I’ve put into swimming are paying off. I feel like it’s all coming together.”

Coward sisters headed to UC Irvine

Twin sisters Brandy and Barbara Coward have always been together, whether it was school, track and field or basketball.

Nothing will change when they head to college after each signed a national letter of intent to accept track and field scholarships to UC Irvine.

“It’s going to be a great experience for Brandy and I,” Barbara said. “Going to the same school will be easier for each other and our mom. We’ve always been together.”

The Cowards were thinking of going to different schools last fall when Barbara was looking to pursue acting and Brandy looking to continue her track career.

However, with the opportunity to compete in the discus and shot put for the Anteaters, Barbara has decided to put acting on hold.

“We’ll still be in Southern California, so if anything happens with acting I’ll be in the area,” Barbara said.

Brandy has run the 100, 200 and 400 in high school and plans to sprint in college.

The Cowards also looked at Cal State Fullerton and Sacramento State.

“The area and the school just clicked for us,” Brandy said. “We’re really excited for the college experience. It’s nice to know everything is set. All we have to do now is look for housing.”

This story was originally published April 21, 2015 at 11:07 PM with the headline "Merced-area swimming and track stars sign letters of intent."