SANTA ANA Probably no other high school in America could match the collection of former Olympian offspring that was assembled Wednesday at Foothill’s pool.
Five children of two medal-winning U.S. Olympic swimmers raced as the host Knights and Villa Park tried to settle the dual-meet lead in the Crestview League.
The proud fathers, Bruce Furniss and John Mykkanen, chatted, reminisced and watched their children race in the same pool.
“Five children of two ex-Olympians – that’s probably pretty rare,” Furniss said.
Furniss had three children – twin seniors, Troy and Brooke, and sophomore Quinn – race for Villa Park, while Mykkanen’s daughter, Courtney, a senior, and son, Christopher, a freshman, represented Foothill.
The meet score wasn’t as close. The Knights’ ninth-ranked boys defeated previously undefeated Villa Park, 117-53, while Foothill’s eighth-ranked girls posted a 110–60 triumph.
Foothill’s undefeated boys and girls will look to defend their Crestview titles next week at the league finals at Yorba Linda.
The results Wednesday weren’t the focus for the fathers.
“I’m thrilled for (my children) to do this sport,” said Mykkanen, a 1984 silver medalist whose daughter, Cameron, 13, swims for the Irvine Novaquatics. “Rule No. 1, you got to have fun.”
Courtney Mykkanen captured the 100-yard butterfly in a season-best 58.15 seconds and finished second in the 50 free (25.20) behind teammate Brooke Maxson (24.70). Courtney Mykkanen, a 17-year-old bound for Cal, will compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials for the second time this summer.
Maxson, who also won the 100 free (54.36), and Foothill’s Sidney Shimomura were double winners.
Christopher Mykkanen helped power the Foothill boys by claiming the 500 free in 4:52.18 and finishing second in the 200 free in 1:50.17. Foothill’s Hunter Ingram, another promising freshman, doubled with first-place touches in the 200 free (1:43.13) and 100 free (48.19).
Bruce Furniss, a two-time gold medalist at the 1976 Olympics, knows about swimming families. He and three of his brothers starred at Foothill under legendary coach Tom DeLong, who has returned to head coaching duties this season with the Foothill girls.
“I’m going to miss (this),” said Furniss, whose oldest son, Kyle, also attended Villa Park. “I never wanted to be the parent who said, ‘You will swim because I swam.’ My kids just matriculated to it. They started with Johnny Johnson (at Blue Buoy) and they took to aquatics.”
Villa Park’s Dash Farr won the 50 free (21.86) and 100 breaststroke (1:00.08), and the Spartans’ Katrina Sommer also doubled.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
