Andrew Cole

Steve Virgen

Andrew Cole has become a part of the Newport Beach lifestyle in

nearly every facet. He’s become so accustomed to this part of town,

most people would not know the Newport Harbor High senior is

originally from Sandy, a town in Utah near Salt Lake City.

He’s learned how to surf and how to be laid-back when most of the

environment is under much stress. He’s tried to become more in tune

with Newport Beach, rather than remain with that look of an outsider,

which to some people can be appealing.

Cole’s progression on the Newport Harbor boys swim team the past

two seasons is much like his adaptation to the beach city. Last year,

he was the swimmer behind the scenes. It was as if Cole was below the

marquee names of seniors Aaron Peirsol and Ryan Lean.

But before the 2002 season ended, the CIF Southern Section

swimming region became more aware of Cole. He went undefeated in the

100-yard freestyle and his CIF Division I title helped Newport Harbor

earn its first CIF Division I championship in swimming.

This year, Peirsol is at the University of Texas, while Lean is at

UC Berkeley. The understudy now owns the spotlight. Cole is the

leader of the Sailors this season. He is Newport’s lone club swimmer,

who trains with the Irvine Novaquatics. Cole has been the catalyst in

the Sailors’ quest to dethrone the Irvine Vaqueros, whom have won the

Sea View League title the past eight years.

“He’s definitely a leader,” Newport Coach Jason Lynch said. “If

he’s serious about something, they rally around him. If he’s going to

come through, then so are they.

“Last year, he was looking to Peirsol and Lean to sort of meet

their standards. The shoe is on the other foot right now. It’s a new

role for him and he’s doing good with it.”

Cole has been thriving in his leadership role and the evidence

came April 2, when he led the Sailors to an 85-85 tie with Irvine,

which sets up what should be a thrilling Sea View League final May 9

at Foothill. Cole won the 100 backstroke in 53.9, which is the best

time in Orange County this season. He also won the 100 free (48.10).

Both performances automatically qualified him for the CIF

preliminaries.

Cole also contributed to the victorious 200 and 400 free relays.

As if symbolic, Cole was the lead swimmer in both relays, providing

insurmountable leads.

“I’ve been continuing to lead him off in the relays,” Lynch said.

“He’s doing the best job of getting the guys going. He gets out there

and gives us the lead and their job is to maintain it.”

Cole, whose specialty is the backstroke, has been versatile for

the Sailors this season. He’s able to swim just about any event for

Newport Harbor, and he’s definitely able to win races and score

points. Cole’s easygoing, yet hard-working contributions have been

important to the Sailors and also to the Newport senior’s future.

Cole has earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Utah.

He’s going back to his hometown.

“I just figured I would be more comfortable with the environment,”

Cole said of choosing Utah, instead of Pacific.

Cole said he’s changed since moving to Newport two years ago, but

he will be able to gain comfort in Utah easily because he’s been

there done that.

“On a personal level I have changed, getting into the whole

Newport beach lifestyle and surfing everyday,” Cole said. “Just the

whole social aspect is totally different than Utah night life.”

Cole has been surfing for the past eight months. During the

summer, he would swim in the morning, surf in the afternoon, then go

back to training and before the sun would set, he went back to the

waves.

“I think some of those days, I was more on water than I was on

land,” Cole said. “I was really in tune with the water. I’m

progressing. I’m learning small maneuvers. That’s the cool thing of

living down here and taking up the sport that is so heavy on the

lifestyle of most beach cities.”

Cole’s progression as a swimmer has much to do with Newport

Harbor. For the past two years, Cole has improved because of the

Sailors, including Peirsol and Lean.

“It’s been really amazing being able to swim in the same lane as

an Olympian,” Cole said of Peirsol, the world-record holder in the

200 back and a 2000 Olympics silver medalist. “Swimming with Aaron

Peirsol was an experience of a lifetime. Not too many swimmers can

say that. I’ve been greatly appreciative of that.”