Freshman fastest freestyler in 43 years

With a time of 25 seconds flat, Lilliana Noriega breaks a record set in 1975.

By Nicholas Orozco, Sports Editor

Lilliana Noriega is a first year student at Valley College and a swimmer for the Lady Monarchs swim team who has been swimming competitively since she was 12 years old at the Los Angeles Swim Club. Noriega fulfilled her goal of breaking a 25.10 second college record in the 50 meter freestyle that had stood since 1975, beating it by a tenth of a second. (Jeremy Ruiz | Valley Star)

Competing in the 50-yard freestyle, Liliana Noriega touches the wall to finish, with her teammate racing to exclaim that she finished with a 25-second flat time, breaking a school record that has stood since 1975.

This year, Noriega beat the school record, held previously by Valley College student Cindy Schilling, by a tenth of a second. Looking to continue to break records and become a better swimmer.

“I was just trying to go all out and sprint as fast as I could,” said Noriega. “I was so excited.”

Setting records is not something new for Noriega. In her high school career at John Burroughs High School, she broke four school records; the 50 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle relay, 200 Medley relay and 400 Freestyle Relay. She also won the CIF Division llll with her team in her senior year.

“I am so happy that I was able to accomplish so much during my high school career,” said the 18-year-old.

Swimming was not always on the Burbank native’s mind. The multi-talented athlete who played multiple sports in her youth began to swim competitively at 12 years old for the Los Angeles Swim Club.

Noriega would then attend Valley as her older sister and father were Monarch athletes. Her older sister, Erika Rivera, played on the 2013-14 women’s basketball where they posted a 12-0 record, achieving a Western State Conference championship, with a trip to state championship making it to the “elite eight.”

With the current season quickly coming to a close — and this being her first — Noriega is making positive strides for the program. Head women’s swim coach Pete Loporchio expressed that she has elevated the level of the relays and other swimmers.

“We feel very fortunate to have Lilliana as part of the program, not only with her swimming ability, but her lead-by-example attitude,” said Loporchio.

Noriega will compete in the Western State Conference Championships that will be held at Valley from April 20-22.

“Placing high at state is my goal for the end of the season,” said the freshman.