In taking an advantage of the early start to the long course season, six TNT swimmers competed at what might be the first long-course meet in California. Madison Elick, Alex Ellis, Madison Gilbert, Dax Korenwinder, Mallory Korenwinder and Khloe McCarthy traveled down to Orange county past Los Angeles to compete at the SET Aquatics Long Course Meet held at El Toro High School near Mission Viejo. The meet maintained minimum time standards, so that it was a qualifying meet that allowed only those who qualified to participate. Our six were among over six hundred who entered the meet.
Eleven year old Madison Elick competed among the seniors at the meet during the afternoon session. She became the heat winner with a long course time in the 100 meter breaststroke event (1:42.77) that is only three seconds off of our Junior Olympic standard. Twelve year old Alex Ellis swam her first long course meet with TNT, and qualified for three events there. Two of her events (33.23 in the 50 free and 1:24.24 in the 100 back) are only one second off of the long course Age Group Invitational time standard. Madison Gilbert swam her first long course meet in the 100 back event, qualifying for the Junior Olympics by one second (swimming a 1:30.68). Seven year old Dax Korenwinder also qualified for three events at the meet. While Dax is still only seven years old, his best time of 49.41 in the 50 backstroke was only one second off of the 10-under Junior Olympic time standard. Mallory Korenwinder was our highest place finisher as she swam to a second place finish in the 50 meter breaststroke event. Her 43.25 was one second under the Zone qualifying time, and only two seconds away from the team record. Ten year old Khloe McCarthy also competed in three events with her 45.32 only one second away from the Age Group Invitational time standard.
Our swimmers competed only during the second of three days at the meet, while Sunday was reserved for Disneyland. Several families went to Disneyland for two or three days since the meet was short enough for us. Im hoping that pictures will be forwarded so that they can be posted and shared.