A splash of success
for the Viking

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

It has been just one year since Julio Alva and Uba Zavaleta met, but in that time, the two have become friends, roommates . . . and now champions.
The two Northeast High School student-athletes were introduced through a student exchange program that allowed Zavaleta to leave Peru and head for America last year.
"It’s great here," said Zavaleta, who lives with his host family, the Alvas, in Northeast Philadelphia. "I’m learning a lot of English. The family that I’m staying with is really cool, and Julio sets a great example for me. He’s good at sports and he’s good at school."
Alva — a 17-year-old senior and four-year varsity swimmer for the Vikings — also is a native of Peru. Yet, despite their common birthplace, the two grew up in different regions and never crossed paths during their childhoods there.
"He’s from another city in Peru," said Alva, who lived in the South American country for 11 years before moving to America. "We met here last year. My parents volunteered to be host parents and it worked out great. They like him a lot and we all get along. We’re having a lot of fun."
Upon Zavaleta’s arrival, it didn’t long for him to adjust to American culture. The 17-year-old — who celebrated his birthday on Saturday — quickly eased into his new classes at Northeast High and earned a spot on the school’s swim team.
"School is cool," he said. "It’s awesome to meet people and learn. My grades are good. Things are going well.
"I really like swimming here too," he added. "The coach here is really good. I can talk to him a lot. He makes it better because he’s my coach and my friend. Everybody on the team is really nice."
Within a few months of joining the Vikings family, Zavaleta helped the swim squad claim five first-place victories in the PIAA District 12 individual championship at La Salle University on Feb. 26.
The new guy earned first place in the 200 freestyle event with a time of 1:59:06, and the 100 freestyle with a finish of 51:19.
Alva brought home the gold in the 200 individual medley — a combination of two laps of butterfly stroke, two laps of backstroke, two of breaststroke and two of freestyle — with a time of 2:33:37.
The duo joined Vikings teammates Llya Lapidus and Redi Lamee in the 200-medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay events, winning first place in both.
"We have a great team this year," said Alva, who has helped Northeast win the 400 relay event for three consecutive years. "Overall, it was a great feeling to win."
Thanks to their stellar season, the fierce foursome — Zavaleta, Alva, Lapidus and Lamee — received an opportunity to compete in the state championships, which will be held March 12-14 at Bucknell University. (The Times went to press earlier this week.)
"We’re getting ready and practicing a lot," said Alva. "I’m nervous for states, but it’s my third time going so I have some experience. We’re all excited, but at the same time, we’re a little nervous."
Alva and Lamee have competed in states before, but the other two will be making their debuts this week.
They don’t seem overly worried.
"I know that I can beat some of these guys," said Zavaleta, who claims that he recently shaved 10 seconds off his best time in the 200 freestyle event. "For sure, I’m going to give them a surprise. I’m going to leave their mouths wide open."
Zavaleta will compete in the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle individual events at Bucknell, while all four Viking athletes will compete together in the 400 freestyle relay.
"I get really excited before a meet because it’s an opportunity to see if you’re getting better," said Zavaleta. "Win or lose, I just enjoy swimming. It’s so cool, to have a lot of guys that are better than you and to know you can improve a lot and go do your best."
Zavaleta initially dove into the world of competitive swimming about four years ago in Peru, where swimmers have a solid reputation for their intense competitiveness.
"It’s one of the better countries when it comes to swimming," he said. "There are a lot of fast guys and a lot of competition. But my parents wanted the best for me, and wanted me to do the student-exchange program.
"Of course I miss my family, but I’m meeting a lot of people," he continued. "It’s cool to know other cultures and things. I talk a lot with my mom. I call them a lot and write when I miss them. I have some dreams and goals, and if I want to make it, I’ll have to do whatever it takes to get there." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com