Over 40 teams competed at the Southern California Swimming Age Group Invitational held in Ventura during the last weekend of June. TNT scored 491 points to place 13th, ahead of host team Buena Ventura Swim Club. Fifteen of our 21 swimmers who were entered in the meet scored in their individual events. Swimmers must have finished within the top 16 in their individual events in order to score or receive awards at the meet. Our highest point getter went to Nathan Rhea with 2nd place finishes in the 200 and 100 breaststroke events, and 3rd place finishes in the 200 back, 400 IM and 100 back events. Point getters included: Nathan Rhea (92), Sam Hansen (37), Mallory Korenwinder (33), Josh Avila (32), Makenna Mason (29), Hannah Giles (28), Dax Korenwinder (27), Parker Giles (26), Madison Elick (19), Alex Hansen (16), Katelyn Herrera (11), Chris Hansen (10), Chris Nolan (10), Madison Gilbert (9) and Jonathan Granada (1).
Some notable new time standards were also achieved at the meet. Hanna Giles of Hanford established her first Sectional cut by swimming 28.84 in the 50 meter freestyle and finishing 4th in the event. Sam Hansen achieved his second Sectional cut, this time in the 1500 meter freestyle event with at 17:17.55, and Makenna Mason of Hanford qualifies for Junior Olympics in the 50 meter butterfly prior to aging up to the 11-12 age group. Her time was 37.89.
Three new team records were also set while at the meet. These records were lead by Sam Hansen who re-establishes his previous 800 meter freestyle record. Sam had previously set the record at the Clovis Senior Q meet one year ago with a 9:14.72. His 9:13.19 is now the new record. Sam also broke the team record of 17:18.18 set at Junior Olympics in 2006 by Kohlton Norys. Sam dropped over 13 seconds to set the record at 17:17.55. Nathan Rhea was our only other record breaker. Nathans 5:05.27 broke Jared Hoppers 5:07.16 record in the 400 IM which was previously set in 2003 while at Zones in Arizona.
The team improved an astounding 70% of times at the meet. Eight swimmers improved 100% of their times. These included: Fayyaz Ahamed, Josh Avila, Madison Elick, Hannah Giles, Parker Giles, Jonathan Granada, Dax Korenwinder and Makenna Mason. 17 swimmers improved 50% or more of their times.
The 111 remaining points were gained by relay performances from: Wesley Coles, Alex Ellis, Madison Gilbert, Hannah Giles, Alex Hansen, Sam Hansen, Katelyn Herrera, Cori Hoover, Mallory Korenwinder, Khloe McCarthy, Nathan Rhea, Allison Ross and Taylor Shaw.
