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Photo Courtesy Vince Apuron
Many of the best swimmers in the world were in Mesa at the Skyline Aquatic Center competing in the Arena Pro Series Swim Meet April 14 – 16. Olympic Champions like Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Nathan Adrian, Katie Ledecky, and Missy Franklin took on recent world champions and college standouts as swimmers positioned themselves for Olympic Games this summer.
As an opening act to the Saturday Finals session, eight youth relay teams were chosen from Arizona to compete in the Arena Club Cup 200 Medley Relay. Each relay team was a mixed 12 and under relay, meaning all swimmers had to be 12 years of age or under and the relay team needed to have 2 boys and 2 girls.
The Sea Lions relay team of Evan Apuron (12), Riley Stewart (12), Tabitha Kellam (12) and Hannah Smallhouse (12) was selected to compete in the Arena Club Cup. Swimmers and family members received free tickets to the (sold out) Saturday Finals session. Swimmers were treated to a pep talk by Olympic gold Medalist Breeja Larson and NCAA Champion Austin Surhoff. Swimmers went to the same ready room used by the best swimmers in the world before being paraded out and introduced to the crowd by Hall of Fame Swimmer Rowdy Gaines. Rowdy Gaines called the play by play on the relay. The Sea Lions swam a great race to finish 5th place, each swimmer with a personal best time on their relay leg.
Sea Lions enjoyed the rest of the evening watching some great racing and getting autographs from and selfies with some of the swimmers who inspire them.
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