Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Brandon Palaganas of Clayton Valley Charter
Age: 14
Team: Pleasant Hill Dolfins
School: Clayton Valley Charter High
Sport: Swimming.
PLEASANT HILL, CA (August 27, 2024) — Pleasant Hill Dolfin swimmer Palaganas deftly balances his life in and out of the pool and it shows.
“I admire Brandon’s commitment to effort and balance. He pushes himself to give his best effort in all areas of his life: academics, swimming, theater arts and dance, to name a few. However, he also recognizes the need for balance. . .Balance is key,” praises his mom Chriscelle Palaganas. Since the age of six, Palaganas has been swimming for the Dolfins during the spring and summer. He excels in the 50-yard butterfly and 100 individual medley.
This year he shaved eight seconds from his previous best time in the 100 IM. At the recent Concord City Swim Meet he won the IM, was second in fly and third in freestyle in the 13-14 age group. At the season-ending County Swim Meet a week later he raced against the top swimmers in Contra Costa and placed fifth in the fly finals.
Transformation
Palaganas’ coach Talli Pitcher reflects, “It has been fun to watch Brandon transform into a highly-motivated all around, fast swimmer. His love for dance has helped him connect his whole body with good posture and timing in all his strokes. His mental focus and determination in races make him a favorite to watch at meets. He is a kind and caring teammate and an important part of the Dolfins fun team culture.”
Palaganas began dancing ballet in 2022 and takes lessons at Studio A. The Concord resident acknowledges the connection between swimming and dance and the positive fitness effect they have on each other. Palaganas is excited to attend Clayton Valley Charter High School as a freshman this fall where he will continue to dance and join the Ugly Eagles swim team in addition to continuing with his Dolfins team in the summer.
CVCHS student journalist Corinne Jeandheur wrote this Spotlight.
The Pioneer congratulates Brandon and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry. laceyandruzicka.com.
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps they have shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or a great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.
Corinne Jeandheur
Corinne Jeandheur is a senior at Clayton Valley Charter High School. She runs on the CVCHS cross country team in the fall as well as competing on the track and field team in the spring. She also plays the piano and bakes in her free time. Jeandheur is a member of the CVCHS Engineering and Design Academy and concluded her sophomore year with a 4.33 GPA. She is serving as co-president of the California Scholarship Federation at Clayton Valley Charter this school year and continuing her academic and community involvement in the National Honor Society. She is very pleased to be writing the monthly Athlete Spotlight for the Pioneer.