Hemmens heading to UNLV following shortened Coast career
COSTA MESA -- This was the year Reece Hemmens had prepared nearly two years for. He, and his Orange Coast College swimming teammates were going to be one of the top teams in the state and compete for numerous individual state titles as well as the CCCAA team state championship.
"Coach Anthony (Iacopetti) brought us into a meeting and asked if we really wanted to compete for a state championship and if we were ready to put that kind of work into going for something like that," Hemmens said. "He knew we had the talent to be a state championship team and on an individual level, I was so ready to compete and go after state records and state championships.
"But it just wasn't meant to be, I guess."
That is just one of several Pirate student-athletes who entered the 2020 spring sports season full of hope and optimism, only to be silenced due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. After trying to wait out the situation, the California Community College Athletics Association decided to shut down all spring sports for the 2020 season.
While the NCAA and CCCAA have given the spring student-athletes this year of eligibility back, one thing the governing bodies can NOT give back is the moment -- the opportunity that was presented in front of these athletes for the 2020 season. In the case for Hemmens, an opportunity to rewrite the OCC record book ... an opportunity to create a legacy that would last for years to come."
But Hemmens, who had already committed to swim at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) prior to the season shutting down, had an even more painfully accurate assessment of what this closure will do to his Pirate teammates.
"Sure I'm disappointed that I didn't get a chance to compete this year, but I was already set and ready to go to UNLV in the fall so this didn't destroy me," Hemmens said. "We had guys on our team that were going to use this season to show Division I programs that they were good enough to swim at that level. These guys needed this season for exposure and now that opportunity is gone. That's what's most disappointing."
Hemmens, a standout athlete at Newport Harbor HS came to OCC, following his brother, Hayden to the Pirate pool in 2018. "He (Hayden) transferred to OCC from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, so I joined him at Coast and competing against him my freshman year was something I'll never forget," Reece said. "I was lucky enough to be a part of a state championship and swam on some state champion relay teams, but the thing that'll stay with me was when I broke my brother's school record time in the 100-yard freestyle two weeks before state. That memory will stay with me forever."
After taking a semester away from the pool, Hemmens joined the Pirates and saw what type of opportunities were in front of him. Under the guidance of coach Iacopetti, Hemmens helped the Pirates to three state relay titles and helped guide OCC to the state swim championship in 2018, narrowly defeating Sierra College.
"I'm going to a quality Division I swim program and I'll be interested to see how they can possibly top the program I'm coming from at OCC," Hemmens said. "Anthony and Coach Adam (Lee) really make this program special. They take care of everyone and really help each swimmer in all facets of life ... swimming, school and life. Anthony creates the path for us and if you're willing to put in the work and follow that path, you can be successful, like I was.
"I remember my freshman year, I was struggling in a math class and Adam pulled me aside and just told me to grind through it, just like in swimming and I did and got an A in the class. He didn't mess around with his message ... hard work, dedication and consistency."
At the State Meet in 2018, Hemmens earned three top-four times in the 50 free (3rd, 20.48), 100 free (T-2nd, 44.91) and 200 free (4th, 1:40.78), but it was in the relay events where he shined.
Anchoring the 400 medley relay, Hemmens took to the water with the Pirates carrying a .2 second lead. From there, he set the pace in the water with a split time of 44.02 (fastest of the anchor legs) to lead the Pirates to a state title time of 3:21.27, just ahead of rival Golden West (3:22.67).
It was more of the same in the 200 medley relay, where a .18 lead was given to Hemmens and he again posted the fastest split (20.07) to lead Coast to a winning time of 1:32.01, edging Sierra's time of 1:32.6.
"When it's that close and it's my turn ... that's my favorite part," Hemmens said. "You know it's you vs. them and you just go. It's a fine line between swimming loose and tense and for me, I just needed to go and swim my race without trying to overthink too much."
With the team title in jeopardy, the Pirates headed into the final race of the meet -- the 400 free relay -- and proceeded to not only win the race and the state title, but also shattered the State Meet record with a winning time of 3:00.62, topping OCC's nine-year state-best time of 3:01.21. Sierra, who ended up just 15.5 points behind the Pirates for the crown, finished a distant second in the finale with a time of 3:06.4.
"I was with Anthony as we were both going through each scenario with each race because we knew it was going to come down to the wire," Hemmens said. "Watching him figure out the best way to use each swimmer and make the most out of every event. You could see him going through all of the different scenarios. It was awesome to witness that type of commitment."
After Hayden Hemmens moved on to UNLV in 2019, Reece stayed at OCC and redshirted last year as he prepared for going for it all in 2020. "Me and my teammates worked so hard all of last year and I know I was ready to go so much faster than I went in 2018," Hemmens said. "But now, after two years of not competing, I'll be ready to get after it at UNLV next year. "I went there on a recruiting trip and I really liked the culture they have and it really seemed like the perfect place for me to go. With my (athletic competition) clock going, I need to talk with UNLV and the NCAA to figure out just how many years I still have. This is new territory for everyone."
It's been a crazy time for all of our spring sports at OCC. The defending state champion baseball team and women's tennis team will not be able to defend their titles. The men's volleyball team, fresh off a 22-1 season from a year ago, will not be able to return to the State Final Four. Several members of the OCC track and field teams will have to wait 'til next year to show what they can do. Men's and Women's crew, who had a historic race set up with Oxford University this year, had to dock up their boats for the remainder of 2020.
"It was tough hearing that the spring season was canceled, but we knew it had to be done for the health of our athletes, families and community," OCC athletic director Jason Kehler said. "Now we're just focused on helping our students transition to remote learning while also figuring out what's next.
"But we are extremely excited to get back after it once it's safe for everyone. We have a lot to look forward to with the completion of several construction projects, bringing our facilities up to the level of our championship-caliber programs."
