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4×100 Free Relay Evan Apuron(12), Riley Stewart (11) and Ethan Kellam (9) and sister Tabitha Kellam (11) in the water, waiting with Michael Primero for their leg of the relay. Vince Apuron | Apuron Photography
Joey Castellanos (9) lane 3 and Michael Oldham lane 4 setting for the 4×50 Backstroke. Vince Apuron | Apuron Photography
The newly opened Florence Aquatic Center was the site of the Central Arizona League Relay Meet Saturday. A total of seven teams represented communities from Coolidge, Globe, Florence, Eloy, Anthem Merrill Ranch, San Tan Valley, and San Manuel at the meet. It was the first swim meet held at the new facility which includes a state of the art eight-lane competition pool. A co-ed relay only format with combined age groups was used. No team scores were kept, but team pride was on the line for every event.
The Sea Lions looked awesome at the meet. Sea Lions relays won 17 out of the 20 events held.
The following swimmers swam on winning relays at the meet on Saturday:
Anya Zovko, 7, (Fly, Back, Crescendo);
Mari Guisa, 7, (Fly, Back);
Juliana Ramirez, 8, (Fly, Back);
Johnny Smallhouse, 8, (Fly, Back, Crescendo);
Rocky Andrade, 10, (IM, Fly);
Mason Stewart, 9, (IM, Back, Breast);
Ethan Kellam, 9, (IM, 4×100 Free);
Ben Fister, 10, (4 x 50 Free);
Emerik Zovko, 10, (Breast);
Briana Castellanos, 10, (IM, 4×50 Free);
Riley Stewart, 11, (Medley, 4×100 Free, 4x 50 Free, Crescendo);
Rianna Estrada, 11, (Back, Breast);
Hannah Smallhouse, 11, (Back);
Tabitha Kellam, 11, (Medley, Fly, 4×100 Free, 4 x 50 Free);
Hunter Hill, 11, (Back);
Star Chavez, 12, (Breast);
Evan Apuron, 12, (Medley, Fly, 4×100 Free, Crescendo);
Nate Fister, 12, (Medley, Fly);
Kayla Parker, 13, (Fly);
Andres Valenzuela, 13, (Breast);
Jessi Rice, 14, (Medley, Back);
Darien Apuron, 14, (IM, Fly, Back, 4×50 Free);
Gianna Sweeney, 14, (IM, Medley, 4×100 Free, Breast);
Raquel Ortiz, 14, (Fly, Back, 4×50 Free);
Michael Primero-Predgo, 14, (IM, Back, 4×50 Free, 4×100 Free);
Raya Woods, 15, (4×100 Free, Breast);
Colbey Stratton, 16, (Medley, Fly, 4×100 Free, 4×50 Free);
Taylor Woods, 17, (IM, Medley, Breast, Crescendo);
Michael Oldham (9) was named Sea Lions Beast of the Week. Michael swam faster than he ever had before in each of his relay swims, but it was the Beastly size of his improvements that earned him the title. His hard work in practice is the key to his rapid improvement. The Sea Lions team is home to some very fast 9-10 boys, and Michael showed that his Backstroke and Breaststroke are among the best on the team.
The Sea Lions swim team will host the Central Arizona League Championship Meet in San Manuel on Saturday, July 18, at 8 a.m. The Sea Lions have won the League Championship every year since 2007, and have hopes of winning it again this year.
There is still time to join the team – contact Alex or Wendy Gort at 896-2190, stop by the San Manuel Pool between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Monday-Friday), or check sealionsswimteam.com for more information.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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