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The Sea Lions hosted a meet against the Parkside (Anthem Merrill Ranch) Piranhas on Saturday. The Sea Lions won the meet 894-343.
The Sea Lions seem to be firing on all cylinders at the right time of the season. The Sea Lions winning 65 of the 83 races at the meet was only part of the story. The fact that the team has swimmers competing from age 4 – 18 and was able to put some of the best swimmers in the league in every event of nearly every age group made many races exciting.
The 82 personal best times recorded by Sea Lions swimmers at the meet is a sign that the hard work in practice is paying off. Coach Alex Gort was pleased with level of performance.
“Both teams had some outstanding times for late June. The fact that we had so many great swims in all age groups puts us right were we need to be heading into the League Championship Meet in a few weeks,” he said.
As competitive as the Central Arizona Swimming League is this year, there are several teams that have a chance to win the Championship. The Sea Lions hope to win for the 13th consecutive year.
Gabriel Marquez (4), Johnny Smallhouse (12) and Mia Dale (14) swam the maximum number events and won all of them.
Evan Apuron broke his own team record in the 100 Breaststroke with a time of 1:06.01.
The following swimmers had first place finishes on Saturday:
Gabriel Marquez, 4, (Fly, Back, Breast, Free)
Kori Andrade, 6, (Fly, Back, Breast, Free)
Damian Marquez, 7, (Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Annie Nemons, 8, (Fly, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Simon Fletcher, 8, (Fly, Back, 50 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Jocelyn Hudson, 9, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Genaveeve Lopez, 10, (Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Cooper Dale, 11, (Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Athan Riekofski, 11, (Meldey Relay, Free Relay)
Martin Madrid, 12, (Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Julie Ramirez, 12, (IM, Back, 100 Free)
Johnny Smallhouse, 12, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Joey Castellanos, 13, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Free, Medley Relay)
Vicente Curry, 13, (Breast, Medley Relay)
Mason Stewart, 13, (Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Mia Dale, 14, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Briana Castellanos, 14, (Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Robert Sanz-Anton, 14, (Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Hannah Smallhouse, 15, (IM, Fly, Back, Breast, Free, Medley Relay)
AJ Lopez, 15, (Medley Relay)
Riley Stewart, 15, (IM, 100 Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Aubrey Bridges, 16, (Free Relay)
Star Chavez, 16, (100 Free, Medley Relay)
Evan Apuron, 16, (Fly, Back, Breast, Free, Medley Relay)
BaiLee Hill, 17, (Free Relay)
Andres Valenzuela, 17, (Medley Relay)
Bonnie Bridges, 18, (Free Relay)
Daniel Garcia, 18, (Medley Relay, Free Relay)
Two new Sea Lions competed in their first meet on Saturday.
Four-year-old Denise Sanchez finished second in her first race ever, the 25 Butterfly, and earned a ribbon.
Genaveeve Lopez (10) recently graduated from the Mammoth Swimming Lesson Program and joined the swim team. She made an immediate impact on the team. She was part of two first place winning relays and earned 3rd place ribbons in the Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle.
Robert Sanz-Anton (14) was named Sea Lions Beast of the Week. His hard work on improving stroke technique and conditioning over the previous weeks paid off at the meet. He swam every event and achieved best times in 5 races. On a team with the fastest 13-14 boys in the League, he showed that he is among the best. Additionally, he shows Beastly enthusiasm and support by cheering for his teammates.
Gabriel Marquez (4) was named Baby Beast of the Week. He swam all four events in his age group without stopping and won them all.
The Sea Lions and the Town of Mammoth will host the 4th of July Celebration. The Mammoth Pool will be open to the public for free from noon – 3 p.m. on July 4. There will be food, games, prizes and fun!
The next meet for the Sea Lions will be the League Relay Meet at Parkside on July 13.
There is still time to join the team – contact Alex or Wendy Gort at 896-2190 or stop by the Mammoth Pool between 4 and 5:30 p.m. (Monday-Friday) 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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