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AJ Lopez swims for the Sea Lions. Photo courtesy Apuron Photography
The Sea Lions Swim Team hosted a swim meet in Mammoth against the Parkside (Florence Anthem) Piranhas on Saturday June 17. The Sea Lions won the meet with 981 points, while the Piranhas finished with 582 points. While the Piranhas won nearly half of the races at the meet, the Sea Lions outscored them with depth. Since the top 6 places score points, the battle for points took place in the trenches. There were approximately the same numbers of swimmers from each team, so the fact that the Sea Lions swimmers competed in all the events that they were capable of completing made a big difference in the final score.
The 11-12 Boys age group illustrates how the Sea Lions won the battle in the trenches. Parkside has some very good 11-12 boys, however in every event in the age group the Sea Lions finished 1st and 2nd, and in some races 3rd and 4th . The order changed as each Sea Lion showed their strength in different events. Mason Stewart (11), Joey Castellanos (11), Ethan Kellam (11), Adrian Garcia (11), Emerik Zovko (12), and Robert Sanz-Anton (12) all had top two finishes at the meet.
Two Sea Lions’ records were broken at the meet. Tabitha Kellam showed her diversity by breaking the 50 Freestyle Record with a time of 27.59 (previously held by Gianna Sweeney) and improving her own 200 Individual Medley (IM) record with a time of 2:29.56.
Five Sea Lions swam all the events in their age group and achieved best times in every event. Adeline Tippetts (6), Martin Madrid (10), Marina Weideman (11), Adrian Garcia (11), and AJ Lopez (13) all achieved personal best times in every event.
Three Sea Lion Swimmers entered the maximum number of events and won them all. Simon Fletcher (6), Johnny Smallhouse (10), and Evan Apuron (14) each won all of the events they swam at the meet.
The following swimmers had first place finishes on Saturday:
Annie Nemons, 6, (Breast);
Simon Fletcher, 6, (Fly, Back, Breast, Free);
Anya Zovko, 9, (IM, Back);
Tyler Tippetts, 9, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Julie Ramirez, 10, (Fly);
Martin Madrid, 10, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Johnny Smallhouse, 10, (IM, Fly, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Nevaeh Derrick, 11, (Medley Relay);
Marina Weideman, 11, (Breast, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Ethan Kellem swims for the Sea Lions. Photo courtesy Apuron Photography
Ethan Kellam, 11, (Medley Relay);
Joey Castellanos, 11, (Back, Medley Relay);
Mason Stewart, 11, (IM, Fly, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Free Relay);
Emerik Zovko, 11, (Free Relay);
Briana Castellanos, 12, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Ashlee Parker, 12, (Medley Relay);
Robert Sanz-Anton, 12, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Rianna Estrada, 13, (Medley Relay);
Hannah Smallhouse, 13, (Medley Relay);
Tabitha Kellam, 13, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay);
Evan Apuron, 13, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
AJ Lopez, 13, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Riley Stewart, 13, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Hunter Hill, 13, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Star Chavez, 14, (Medley Relay);
Kayla Parker, 15, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Darien Apuron, 16, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay);
Bonnie Bridges, 16, (Free Relay);
Jessi Rice, 16, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Jasmine Smith, 16, (Free Relay);
Raya Woods, 17, (Medley Relay).
Five swimmers competed in their first meet as Sea Lions. Adeline Tippetts (6) competed in 5 events earning ribbons in every one. Tyler Tippetts (9) was a member of the winning Medley and Freestyle Relays in the 9-10 Boys age group. Tyler also swam the Butterfly and Backstroke to top 6 finishes. Emily Tippetts (11) swam the Freestyle and swam on 2 ribbon earning relays. Marina Weideman (11) swam all the events. She finished in the top 3 in every event, won the Breaststroke and was a member of the winning Medley and Freestyle Relay in the 11-12 Girls age group. Faith Anne Tippets (13) swam a very good Freestyle and was part of 2 ribbon earning relays.
Adrian Garcia (11) was named Sea Lions Beast of the Week. Adrian is a first year swimmer who has rapidly learned all the strokes and competes in every event. He recently advanced to a more advanced practice group and has taken on the challenge of the harder practices. The hard work is beginning to pay off as Adrian swam best times in every event and is starting to crack the top 6 standings (out of 13 boys in his age group at the meet). Coach Alex commented “One of the goals of the Sea Lions is to teach every swimmer how to do all the competitive strokes and compete in each of them. After seeing Adrian’s work ethic and achievements early in the season, I am excited about his future”.
The Sea Lions will travel to Coolidge for a meet on Saturday, June 24. Coaches know that to beat the Coolidge Dolphins in their own pool, the Sea Lions will need to be at their best.
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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