"There are more swimmers this year than ever," noted Patrick Ellington, who is in his second season helping veteran coach Steve Barnett work with the Lynbrook boys team.

There are "more than 90" boys and girls in the Lynbrook program this spring, up from 64 in 2004, Ellington explained. And the coach expects a larger turnout next spring.

How can the coach be so sure? He points out the $20,000 reason at the end of the Vikings' beautiful 50-meter pool--two sets of newly erected bleachers capable of seating a crowd of 250 to 300 spectators.

"There's such enthusiasm during meets now; it's a great place to watch a meet" Ellington smiled.

The bleachers, which will be dedicated in a 3 p.m. ceremony on April 27, were purchased after a donation of nearly $10,000 was pledged by the Saratoga Rotary Club. The generous contribution, combined with what the Lynbrook aquatics program has raised over many years, will pay for the bleachers, which cost $9,600 per set.

Barnett, the head of Lynbrook's water polo and swimming programs for more than 20 years, "had always dreamed of getting stands," Ellington explained. "He had been scrimping and saving for enough to buy one set, but we really needed two sets to accommodate the great pool here."

Ellington, a Monta Vista math teacher who will take over the reins of the aquatics programs after Barnett retires in June, wrote a grant proposal and submitted it to the Saratoga Rotary.

"The Rotary, especially Brett Bachman and Evan Rohrbach, have really provided a great service to the school and community," Ellington praised. "People used to have to sit on deck chairs or lawn chairs; parents don't want to do that when they come from work.

"Now there's a place to watch the meet and more families are coming, watching and cheering. The kids really feed off of that."

As enthusiastic as Ellington is about the improved atmosphere, he is happy for Barnett, who can now retire in grand style. "His dream has come true," Ellington said proudly.

The bleachers will be showcased when Lynbrook hosts the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division trials and finals on May 4-6.

In the meet against Fremont, Lynbrook's swimmers cruised. The boys won 125-35 and the girls were as impressive, 112-49.

Fremont sophomore Larry Wen won two of the boys events, but Vikings claimed first place in the rest, as well as most of the seconds and thirds.

Brandt Robinson and Andrew Wu won two individual events apiece. Robinson took the 50-yard freestyle in 22.89 and the 100 backstroke in 57.36, while Wu was first in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley.

Michael Wang scorched the field in the 100 free, blazing to 52.23 and Steven Nguyen captured the 200 free in 1:54.81. Wang also swam the anchor leg of the victorious medley relay (1:46.26), following Robinson, Wu and Terry Jiang. In the 200 free relay, Jiang led off and combined with Daniel Wei, Nguyen and Wu to post a time of 1:43.75.

Led by Nilasha Ghosh and Eileen Shu, Lynbrook's girls won all but three events. Ghosh won the 100 back (1:00.24) and the 100 butterfly (57.81), while Shu won the freestyle sprints. Shu covered the 50 in 27.96 and the 100 in 1:00.50.

Tiffany Chen, who finished first in the 200 IM for Lynbrook, started both freestyle relays. The Vikings won the 200 with Chen, Shu, Lilian Lam and Allyson Fong in 1:51.65, and the 400 with Chen, Lam, Jenny Wei and Ghosh in 4:14.78.

In the medley relay, Ghosh was followed by Tiffany Yu, Shu and Lam for a winning time of 2:03.04.