Orange County girls swimmer of the year: Santa Margarita’s Justina Kozan

Swimmer Justina Kozan arrived at Santa Margarita High last year with high expectations following her success at Walnut High and with Mt. SAC-based BREA Aquatics.

The junior didn’t disappoint despite the challenges of the pandemic and her preparations for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Kozan captured two individual titles and raced on a pair of winning relays at the CIF Southern Section Division 1 finals in late May to help lead the Eagles to the team title in their home pool. She also led the county in four events and posted historically swift times.

For her efforts this spring, Kozan is the Register’s girls swimmer of the year.

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“What Justina did is incredible due to what was going on this year with COVID-19 training restrictions,” Santa Margarita co-coach Ron Blanc said. “What’s most amazing is how fast she swam with all of her swims coming unrest and untapered since Justina was preparing for the Trials.”

The USC commit and Mission Viejo Nadadores’ standout touched first in the 100- and 200-yard freestyles at the Division 1 meet, stopping the clock in 49.40 seconds and 1:44.40, respectively.

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Kozan won the 200 free by nearly three seconds in becoming the county’s No. 3 all-time performer in the mid-distance event.

She also delivered a clear victory in the 100 free, touching first by almost a second with a performance that places her ninth in county history.

Kozan’s times in the 100 and 200 free led the county and easily earned All-America status.

She also led off the Eagles’ winning 200 free relay with a 23.30 split and anchored the first-place 400 free relay in 49.71.

Kozan’s stellar CIF meet followed her blistering times at the Trinity League finals at JSerra. She won the 200 individual medley in a school-record 1:58.32 and the 100 butterfly in 53.23.

Kozan’s 200 IM time places her third in county history while her 100 butterfly ranks her fourth.

The times also led the county and would have won Division 1 titles.

This month, Kozan turned her focus to racing at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb. And while she didn’t qualify for the Tokyo Games, she added an important ingredient for her senior year.

“Valuable experience gained by swimming with the world’s best,” Santa Margarita’s swimming and diving team tweeted.

This post first appeared on ocregister.com