Tule Nation Tritons fielded 17 swimmers in individual events at this years Far Western Championships. The meet that was held in Morgan Hill during the last weekend of March was host to teams throughout the United States and Canada. Tule Nation Tritons had four swimmers who qualified for a championship swim (top 10 places) at a meet that is considered one of the most competitive and prestigious age-group meets in the nation. Championship finalists were led by 14-year old Kyle Grissom who tripled up with a third place finish in the 100 fly (53.66), a 5th place finish in the 50 free (22.86) and a 7th place finish in the 200 fly (2:01.73). Thirteen year old Mallory Korenwider doubled up her championship events with a 4th place finish in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.85) and 5th place finish in the 200 breaststroke (2:23.19) events. Fifteen year old Joseph Cobarrubias eared a second swim with an 8th place finish in the 100 free (49.51), while 14-year old Emily Goodbar earned her second swim with a 6th place finish in the 200 fly (2:08.62).
Seven team records were set by five TNT swimmers while at the meet. Two of Kyle Grissoms championship swims also resulted in team records. His 53.66 in the 100 fly is an improvement to his 54.56 time that he posted as a new record while at Junior Olympics in February of this year. His new record currently stands as the 87th fastest time for a 14-year old male in the nation. His 22.86 in the 50 freestyle event is a new record for him, breaking the 23.15 that was set by Colin Landweer while at the Merced meet in 2009. Kyles new record in the 50 free is the 197th ranked time in the nation for the age, gender and event.
Mallory Korenwinders two championship swims were also improvements to her preexisting team records. Her 2:23.19 in the 200 breaststroke is an improvement over her time of 2:24.19 that she swam at Sectionals last December, and currently stands as the 19th fastest time in the nation for all 13-year old girls. Her 1:05.85 also topped her Sectional scoring swim of 1:06.47 (that was repeated at both preliminary and final heats at Sectionals) and is also currently ranked as the 19th fastest time nationally for 13-year old girls.
Ten year old Janessa Bringe made her first appearance at Far Westerns, and her time of 2:19.59 set a new team record in the 200 freestyle event, and was a 23rd place finish at the meet. The previous record was held by Khloe McCarthy and set as 2:19.74 at the Hanford meet in 2008. Janessas time currently ranks 388th nationally for all 10-year old girls.
Fourteen year old Emily Goodbar set the team record in the 200 fly for the first time at the Terrapin meet last November with a time of 2:11.55, then went on to improve the record at the Fullerton meet to a 2:09.67. Now at Far Westerns, Emily continues to improve her team record, and now her time of 2:08.62 stands as the 100th fastest time in the nation.
Micah Ruizs 25.47 in the 50 freestyle was fast enough for a first alternate position at the meet for the 11-12 boys division. Twelve year old Micah went home with the team record in the event by swimming under Kyle Grissoms 25.51 that he had set as the record while at the San Luis Obispo meet in November of 2010. Micahs time currently stands as the 305th fastest time in the nation for all 12-year old boys.
Congratulations to all 17 TNT swimmers who qualified for a meet which has a time standard, if only reached sets a swimmer apart from the general group of athletes. The following is a list each of our 17 swimmers, their age, highest placed event, and their time in that event:
Tule Nation Tritons also successfully completed one 10-under girls relay that placed 16th at the meet with a time of 2:04.64 and was composed of Skylar Ford, Priscilla Niayesh, Alex Roberts and Janessa Bringe.