Dec 212011
 

Eight year old Danielle Albright has had several meets leading into the winter where she swam undefeated, or nearly undefeated, and once again continued that performance at the Tulare meet where she won eight of her nine events. Maintaining an 80% improvement rate in a winter outdoor meet in Central California is a feat in itself, yet the highlight of her performance was in the 25 yard breaststroke event where her time of 17.94 broke the CCS record. Bakersfield swimmer Madison Goodvin had set the record in 2001 as an 18.01. The 25 yard events are not nationally recognized, but to put Danielle’s potential in context, her 50 yard breaststroke is the 24th fastest time that had been swam anywhere in the nation this year by an 8-year old girl, and her 100 yard breaststroke stands as the 16th fastest time swam in 2011. Congratulations to both Danielle and her coach, Angela Martinho.

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Seven year old Ian Belflower, along with 17-year old Colin Landweer were our swimmers who went undefeated at the meet. Bakersfield swimmer Ian swam 10 events and went home with 10 wins. Preparing for Sectionals, Colin entered 2 events and won both. Ian’s younger brother by a year, Chase Belflower, nearly matched his brother’s performance by winning 5 of his 8 events and placing 2nd in his other 3. Our other near sweep came from 5 year old Paige Costa who won 5 of her 6 events, along with Mia Newkirk who took home 6 first place finishes, 2 second place finishes, and a third place finish.

Other event champions included Peyton Costa (100 IM), Allyson Duffy (200 free & 500 free), Michael Jia (100 fly), Toby Jones (50 breast), Micah Ruiz (100 back, 50 free, 100 IM & 100 free), and Emily Sullivan (50 breast, 50 back & 25 breast).

Swimmers who improved 100% of their times included Chase Belfower (age 6), Paige Costa (age 5), Colin Landweer (age 17), Daniel Magargee (age 8), and Mikayla Vierra (age 8).

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 Posted by at 19:29
Jun 222011
 

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After nearly missing the 11-12 girls team record in the 400 meter freestyle, swimming in her last meet as an 11-12 year old girl, Allyson Duffy breaks the team record with a 4:46.45 which is under the preexisting record of 4:53.22 held by Samantha Goates and set at Junior Olympics in 2002. Allyson’s time currently stands as the 33rd fastest time in the nation for all 12-year old girls.

Ten year old Preston Niayesh had set the 10-under boys team record in the 200 IM during the Merced meet earlier this year with a 3:04.78. During the Bakersfield meet he went well under that preexisting time with his 3:02.04, which is a time that currently ranks 211th nationally for 10-year old boys. Preston was the event champion in both the 200 free (2:41.20) and 100 back (1:31.03) events.

Eight swimmers including Preston were event champions at the Bakersfield meet, and were led by Janessa Bringe who won 4 of her 7 events in the 10-under girls division: 200 free (2:55.63), 100 free (1:23.47), 50 back (45.96) and 200 IM (3:29.35). Alonso Escobedo, Preston Niayesh and Breann Santos each became dual champions in their respective division with Alonso winning both the 11-12 boys 50 free (33.00) and 100 breast (1:31.93) events, Preston winning both the 200 free (2:41.20) and 100 back (1:31.03) events, and Breann Santos winning both the 10-under girls 100 fly (1:54.63) and 50 fly (45.96) events. Additional event champions included 10-under Danielle Albright (100 breast – 1:46.53), 10-under JD Koster (100 fly – 1:30.05), 15-over Taylor Shaw (400 IM – 5:50.77) and 10-under Katherine Sullivan (100 back – 1:43.83).

 Posted by at 07:50
Jan 252011
 

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Twelve year old Allyson Duffy sets her second team record within two months, first in the 1650 freestyle during the Tulare meet in December, and now in the 500 freestyle during All Stars that were held in Selma earlier this month. Allyson improved nearly five seconds in this early-season meet to drop from a 5:26.75 to 5:21.55 breaking Megan Eppler’s record that was set as 5:22.89 in 2004 while competing at Far Westerns.  Allyson’s time is currently the 63rd fastest time in the nation for all 12-year old girls.

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Two TNT swimmers were event champions while at the meet, and Amber Khieralla the point contribution with three individual wins in the 11-12 girls division: 200 back (2:17.20), 50 free (26.60) and 100 back (1:04.64). Our other event champion came from 10-year old Preston Niayesh whose time improvement in the 50 breaststroke was fast enough for the win in that event (38.45).

Thirteen fourteen year old Ethan Torosian was our sole swimmer who improved all events that were swam at the meet, and he did so in improvements by sizable margins despite the cool mornings. Ethan improved over seven seconds in both his 100 breaststroke and 100 freestyle, and over two seconds in his 50 free. Preson Niayesh maintained our next highest improvement at 67% followed by 57% improvements by Emily Goodbar and Amber Khieralla. Swimmers who improved half of their times include Bre Abell, Janessa Bringe and Allyson Duffy.

Other swimmers who well represented TNT on the All Star team included: Luke Dignan, Skylar Ford, Mia Newkirk and Satoshi Shinkawa.

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 Posted by at 08:25
Jan 202011
 

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Nine of twenty-four TNT swimmers (nearly 38%) who had competed at the All Star Qualifying Meet at Central High School in Fresno may have performed well enough to earn a spot on the Central California Swimming All Star team. Congratulations go to 10-under swimmers Skylar Ford, Janessa Bringe, Preston Niayesh, and Satoshi Shinkawa; 11-12 swimmers Mia Newkirk, Allyson Duffy and Luke Dignan; and 13-14 swimmers Bre Abell and Emily Goodbar.

The All Star meet is scheduled to take place during the 22nd-23rd weekend at Selma High School, to be led by Central California Swimming Age Group Chair, and our very own coach Pat Ota, along with Head All Star Coach, and again our very own coach Gary Ota.

  • The 10-under coach is anticipated to be Ben Britten (former Visalia swimmer now coaching Clovis)
  • The 11-12 coach is anticipated to be Caroline Reynaud (coach of Fig Garden)
  • The 13-14 coach is anticipated to be our own Coach Gary Ota
    Best of luck to the Central California team as they take on San Diego Imperial and Sierra Nevada All Star Teams.
 Posted by at 07:15
Jan 202011
 

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Two of five TNT swimmers competed at the Southern California Swimming Senior Meet during the third weekend of January in 80 degree Long Beach Belmont Olympic Swim Plaza. Sam Hansen led the group in earning second swims in two of his five events. Sam’s 2:14.24 was the sole point for TNT as he swam into the consolation final heat in that event. His 4:18.44 was fast enough for a C-final swim where he moved from 24th place to 21st. Colin Landweer was our other finalist who swam the 50 freestyle in 22.11 earning a C-final swim in that event.

Our remaining three swimmers each improved one event at the meet: Hannah Giles in the 200 breaststroke (2:38.62), Mallory Korenwinder in the 100 breaststroke (1:12.30), and Nathan Rhea in the 50 freestyle (23.70).

 Posted by at 07:15