High School Section Wrap-up

Varsity Group:

The Varsity group concluded this year's high school season with a great showing at the CIF Sac-Joaquin Sections meet. Several swimmers managed to earn second swims (some for the first time!) and all in all the Varsity group earned a number of best times and should feel very proud of their efforts at this meet! Among the many highlights from this meet, we had two new Sectionals qualifying times: Austin Akre's 200 freestyle (1:45.77) and Luke Keffer's 200 IM (1:59.85). Congrats to both boys on their great achievement! We also had a couple of near misses on more Sectional cuts, as Matt Zerweck turned in a lifetime best in the 200 IM (2:02.86), and Brett Emery (who was battling strep throat the whole week!) in the 100 breast (1:02.32).  I am confident both boys will achieve their Sectional qualifying times soon! Some of the other best times from this meet included Kelsey Waltrip's 200 free, where she went from 2:07 to a 2:05 in prelims, and then dropped again to finish with a 2:04.39 in finals! Ashley Taylor also had a great meet, posting best times in the 200 free (2:06.73) and the 100 breast (1:11.50).  Shelby Rivas had a phenomenal meet, earning best times in both the 500 free (5:36.95) and the 200 IM (2:20.88).  And Jessica Hester also posted a great 100 breast (1:12.35).  Dallin Pulsipher swam at his first sections, and put up a best time in the 200 IM and a very solid 500 freestyle. Corbin Gomez made finals in both the 200 and 500 freestyles, swimming right on his best times in both events.  Hunter Christian had a great meet with his second best time ever in the 100 breast.
This was a fun and exciting meet for the Varsity group, and a great way to wrap up our short course season. I am very excited and looking forward to a great long course season this summer. Congrats to all!

Pre-senior Group:

The Pre Senior group was well represented at the Sac – Joaquin High School Swim Championships.  The freshman swimmers swam in both the Junior Varsity and Varsity categories scoring multiple points for their respective High School teams.

In the Women’s JV division Maddie Velez took 5^th place in the 200 Freestyle and 4^th place in the 500 Freestyle in the Championship Final.  Kylie Ahnell placed 2^nd in the Consolation Finals in the 200 Free breaking the 2:00.00 barrier (1:59.05) and Kylie finished in 3^rd place in the Championship Final for the 100 yard Butterfly.  Also competing in the 200 Free, Kelsey Gasch went a best time and placed 5^th in the Consolation Finals and with another best time placed 2^nd in the Consolation Finals for the 100 Butterfly.  Breezy Johnson swam a solid race to place 7^th in the Consolation Finals of the 100 Backstroke.  Dana Lohmann dropped over four seconds in the 200 I.M. to place 5^th in the Championship Final and swam to a 2^nd place finish in the Consolation Finals of the 100 Breaststroke.  Haylee Rademann finished off a fantastic meet with a 4^th place finish in the Consolation Finals of the 200 I.M.

In the Men’s JV Division Ryan Dewante swam a best time in the 500 Freestyle taking first place in the Consolation Finals and followed that up with an 8^th place finish in the Championship Final of the 100 yard Backstroke.  Bret Bonzell swam two best times finishing 3^rd in the 100 Backstroke and 5^th in the 200 I.M. while racing both events in the Championship Finals.  Brandon Mills stepped up to the plate to take 1^st place in both of his events in the Championship Finals, the 100 Breaststroke and 200 I.M.  Both of these events were also new Sectional Cuts.  Dylan Kubick earned a host of points for his team by taking 6^th place in both the 100 Butterfly and 200 I.M. in the Championship Finals.  David Ke finished his first High School Sections by taking first place in the Consolation Finals of the 100 Butterfly.

In the Women’s Varsity Division Hannah Calton made the Championship Final in both of her events.  Hannah finished both the 200 Freestyle and the 100 Butterfly in 5^th place.  Lauren Fitzgerald stepped up and took first place in the 100 Backstroke in the Consolation Final and placed 2^nd in the 500 Freestyle of the Consolation Final earning a new Sectional cut as well.

In the Men’s Varsity Division Adam Banks earned a spot in the Consolation Final going a best time and placing 2^nd.  The swim also earned Adam a new Sectional cut.

Senior Group:

Several senior swimmers had fantastic meets as well. In the girls varsity division, Alexandra Whitford repeated as a double champion with all American cuts in both the 50 and 100 free. Mikaela Macklin repeated as the 100 breast champion and finished second in the 200 I.M., both in All American time. Sophie Weber, despite only being a sophomore, finished third in both the 200 I.M. and 100 back in All American fashion. Gabby Rossbach was third in both the 100 fly (All American) and 500 free. Angel Prat finished 5^th in the 500 free and 6^th in the 200 I.M. Quincy Christian finished 4^th in the 500 free and 5^th in the 200 I.M.

For the frosh – soph ladies, Mikayla Winkler won both the 200 and 500 free with All American consideration cuts in both. Katelyn Burson finished 7^th in both the 100 and 200 free. Hannah Bensman finished 8^th in the 200 free and then in a gutsy effort, won the 100 fly. Steph Klotz tied for second in the 100 breast and finished third in the 200 I.M.

For the varsity boys, Josh Choi avenged his disqualification from last year in the 200 I.M. with a commanding victory and also finished third in the 100 breast. Both swims were All American times. Ryan Studebaker had a good meet with a second place in both the 200 I.M. and the 100 breast with All American cuts in both. Despite battling some illness earlier in the week, Dallin Johnson finished 5^th in the 500 free with an All American time and 7^th in the 200 free. Ryan Pickett won the 100 back and finished third in the 100 fly with two All American cuts. Morgan Lloyd finished 4^th in the 100 fly and 6^th in the 50 free. Coming off a broken collarbone, Jordan Caines swam strong with a 6^th place in the 100 back and an 8^th in the 200 I.M.

I think it’s worth mentioning that we had a group of sophomore boys that made the choice to swim up to varsity and made it clear that they will be forces to reckon with in the next two years. Weston Landre led the charge finishing third in the 100 back and 4th in the 200 free with All American consideration times. Andy Cunningham had a strong meet with a 7^th in the 100 back. Nick Kramer swam well with a 5^th in the 100 breast and a 9^th in the 200 IM. Grayson Whitten swam well finishing 10^th in the 100 fly.

Congratulations to everyone from the varsity, pre-senior and senior groups that swam well last weekend. Obviously, we have an amazing group of high school swimmers!