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Girls 9-10 yearr old relay team. Vince Apuron | Miner
Brian Mullens (10) swims the breast. Vince Apuron | Miner
The San Manuel Sea Lions hosted a swim meet against Globe, Eloy, and Florence on Saturday at the San Manuel Swimming Pool. The Sea Lions won the meet with 1067 points, while the Eloy Otters finished 278 points, The Globe Piranhas finished with 234 points and the Florence Sharks finished with 60 points. The outcome of the meet was never really in doubt as the Sea Lions won the first 10 events which included every age group swimming the Individual Medley (IM). The Sea Lions went on to win 73 of the 88 contested events.
This week the 9-10 boys showed their strength. In every individual race, the 9-10 boys took all the top five places. Both the Medley and Freestyle Relay teams took the 1-2 finish. With so many good swimmers in that age group, the toughest competition came from teammates. Three different Sea Lions earned individual wins: Mason Stewart (9), Rocky Andrade (9), and Joey Castellanos (9) all won individual races while teammates Ethan Kellam (9), Emerik Zovko (9), Robert Sanz- Anton (10) and Brian Mullens (10) went on to provide the depth.
A total of six team records were broken on Saturday. Swimmers breaking team records included the following: Tabitha Kellam (11), Evan Apuron (11), Darien Apuron (14), Gianna Sweeney (14), and Jessi Rice (14).
Three swimmers entered the maximum number of events and won them all. Briana Castellanos (10), Evan Apuron, and Tabitha Kellam, each won all eight events they swam. Additionally, Johnny Smallhouse (8) won all the individual events in his age group.
The following swimmers had first place finishes on Saturday:
Kayla Lambiotte, 6, (Breast);
Jessica Rouse, 7, (50 Free, 25 Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Juliana Ramirez, 8, (IM, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Mia Christian, 8, (Fly);
Ebony Galarza, 8, (Back, Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Johnny Smallhouse, 8, (IM, Fly, Back, 50 Free, Breast, 25 Free, Free Relay);
Nevaeh Derrick, 9, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Rocky Andrade, 9, (Fly, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Joey Castellanos, 9, (Back, Medley Relay);
Emerik Zovko, 9, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Mason Stewart, 9, (IM, 100 Free, Breast, Free Medley Relay, Free Relay):
Desiree Galarza, 10, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Ashley Parker, 10, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Briana Castellanos, 10, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, 50 Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Evan Apuron, 11, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, 50 Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Riley Stewart, 11, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Hunter Hill, 11, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Brian Mulholland, 11, (Medley Relay);
Rianna Estrada, 11, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Star Chavez, 11, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Hannah Smallhouse, 11, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Tabitha Kellam, 11, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, 50 Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Aubrey Bridges, 12, (Medley Relay);
Nate Fister, 12, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
BaiLee Hill, 13, (Free Relay);
Kayla Parker, 13, (Free Relay);
Darien Apuron, 13, (Fly, Back, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Gianna Sweeney, 13, (IM, Breast, 100 Free, 50 Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Jayden Smith, 13, (Medley Relay);
Jessi Rice, 14, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Bonnie Bridges, 14, (Free Relay);
Jasmine Smith, 14, (Free Relay);
Michael Primero, 14, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, 50 Free, Medley Relay);
Raya Woods, 15, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, 50 Free, Free Relay);
Colbey Stratton, 16, (Fly, 50 Free, Free Relay);
Jacob Christian, 16, (Free Relay);
Taylor Woods, 17, (IM, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free Relay)
This was the first swim meet for Gabby Arnett (10) who swam great at her first meet and earned some ribbons.
Hannah Smallhouse was named Sea Lions Beast of the Week. Hannah shows a beastly love for grueling practices and never misses a set. Her work ethic was rewarded on Saturday when she swam every event and improved on her personal best times in every event for the second consecutive week. Although she is a Beast in the water she is always the first to offer help to teammates and coaches.
The Sea Lions will travel to Parkside (Merrill Ranch Anthem Pool in Florence) on Saturday, June 13 to compete against Parkside and Florence.
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 sealionswimteam.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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