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Malik Blackwell – First Sea Lions Swim Meet. Photo courtesy Apuron Photography.
The Sea Lions Swim Team traveled to Florence to compete against the Florence Sharks at the Florence Aquatic Center. The Sea Lions won the meet with 1105 points while Florence finished with 55 points. Due to the size difference in the teams, the outcome of the meet was never in doubt.
The Sea Lions won 81 out of 88 events.
The Florence Aquatic Center is less than a year old, and the competition pool is designed to be fast. The deep water and wave reducing gutter system keeps the water smooth, while the high starting blocks maximize the effect of the start (which is the fastest part of the race). The Sea Lions made the most of their opportunity to swim in a fast pool. Nearly every swimmer achieved best times in multiple events at the meet. Coach Alex Gort remarked that the Sea Lions had a great week of practice as everyone settled into their summer routine. The hard work at practice probably had more to do with the best times than the ‘fast’ pool.
Jessica Rouse (8) Swimming a personal best time. Photo courtesy Apuron Photography
Twelve team records were broken at the meet. The 11-12 Girls Free Relay Team of Tabitha Kellam (12), Rianna Estrada (12), and Briana Castellanos (11) swam over 5 seconds faster than the previous team record (held by Sweeney, Ortiz, Parker, and Apuron) for a time of 2:11.18.
One of the strengths of the team is the 9-10 Boys age group. The relay team of Joey Castellanos, Mayo Stewart, Ethan Kellam, and Johnny Smallhouse broke records in both the Medley Relay (2:42.62 breaking the record held by Apuron, Stewart and Fister) and the Free Relay (2:26.90 breaking the record held by Newman, Miller, and Soto) confirming that this is the fastest group of 9-10 boys the team has ever had.
The 11-12 Boys may be the strongest part of the team. The relay team of Ben Fister (11), Riley Stewart (12), Evan Apuron (12), and AJ Lopez (12) broke team records in both the Medley Relay (2:16.75) and the Freestyle Relay (1:58.93). Breaking the 2-minute barrier in the Free Relay was a big achievement for the 11-12 Boys. In fact, they were the fastest relay at the meet, even beating the 15-18 boys.
Tabitha Kellam broke two team records previously held by Gianna Sweeney in the 50 Free (28.63) and 100 Free (1:01.50). Evan Apuron improved on the team records he held in 5 events – 100 IM (1:06.31), 50 Fly (28.17), 100 Free (57.40), 50 Breast (33.91) and 50 Free (25.87).
Frank Cline – First Sea Lions Swim Meet. Photo courtesy Apuron Photography
The following swimmers swam the maximum number of events and achieved personal best times in every event: Annie Nemons (5), Kayla Lambiotte (7), Jessica Rouse (8), Juliana Ramirez (9), Johnny Smallhouse (9), Ethan Kellam (10), Mayo Stewart (10), Ben Fister (11), Rianna Estrada (12), Riley Stewart (12), Evan Apuron (12), AJ Lopez (12), Star Chavez (13), BaiLee Hill (14), and Andres Valenzuela (14).
Six swimmers entered the maximum number of events and won them all. Annie Nemons (5), Cooper Dale (8), Tabitha Kellam (12), Evan Apuron (12), Darien Apuron (15), and Colbey Stratton (17).
The following swimmers had first place finishes on Saturday:
Annie Nemons, 5, (Fly, Back, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Jocelyn Hudson, 6, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Kayla Lambiotte, 7, (Breast, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Malik Blackwell, 7, (Medley Relay);
Frank Cline, 7, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Jessica Rouse, 8, (IM, Fly, Back, 50 Free, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Cooper Dale, 8, (IM, Fly, Back, 50 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Juliana Ramirez, 9, (Free Relay);
Johnny Smallhouse, 9, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Nevaeh Derrick, 10, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Free Relay);
Ethan Kellam, 10, (100 Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Joey Castellanos, 10, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Mason Stewart, 10, (IM, Fly, Back, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Briana Castellanos, 11, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Riley Stewart, 11, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Tabitha Kellam, 12, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Rianna Estrada, 12, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Evan Apuron, 12, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
AJ Lopez, 12, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Aubrey Bridges, 13, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Star Chavez, 13, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Nate Fister, 13, (Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
BaiLee Hill, 14, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Darien Apuron, 14, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Kayla Parker, 14, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Andres Valenzuela, 14, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Bonnie Bridges, 15, (IM, Fly, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Jessi Rice, 15, (Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Colbey Stratton, 17, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Annie Nemons – (5) Swimming a personal best. Photo courtesy Apuron Photography
Frank Cline and Malik Blackwell, both 7 years old, competed in their first swim meet. Both boys swam great and were part of a winning relay.
Cooper Dale (8) was named Sea Lions Beast of the Week. He competed in the 100 Individual Medley for the first time and won it. In addition he won every other event he swam at the meet, achieving person best times in every event. Cooper also pulled double duty on the relays, swimming two legs on both the Medley and Freestyle Relays.
The Sea Lions will host Coolidge at the Mammoth Pool on Saturday, June 18.
There is still time to join the team – contact Alex or Wendy Gort at 896-2190 or stop by the Mammoth Pool between 4 and 6 p.m. (Monday-Friday) for more information.
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