by 
Team IMX from left are: front, Ethan Kellam, Johnny Smallhouse, Ben Fister; back, Tabitha Kellam, Darien Apuron, Evan Apuron, Riley Stewart. Not pictured is Mason Stewart. Vince Apuron | Apuron Photography
USA Swimming held the IM Xtreme Games Challenge in Mesa, Arizona at the Kino Aquatic Center Nov. 18-20.
To qualify, swimmers in the Western Region of the USA (10 States from New Mexico to Alaska) had to achieve an IMX score of 1500 points or more in the preceding 18 months. An IMX score is obtained when a swimmer swims each of the IMX events . The events vary for each age group but in general include a 100 or 200 of each stroke (Butterfly, Backstroke and Breaststroke), the 200 Individual Medley (IM) (+ 400 IM for 13 and over), and the 500 Freestyle (200 Free for 10 and Under). A score is assigned based on the time for each event and age of the swimmer. The scores from each event are then added together to obtain the IMX Score. It is quite an achievement to complete all the IMX events and a momentous event for any swimmer who achieves an IMX score of 1500 and qualifies for the IMX Meet. Eight swimmers from the San Manuel area qualified and swam in the meet. The top 16 swimmers in each age division in the demanding 3 day event received plaques.
Two girls from the Sea Lions Swim Team qualified and had great swims in their third IMX meets. Tabitha Kellam finished in 21st place in the 13 year old girls division with a score of 2613 points, finishing with a higher score and better place than she did last year. Darien Apuron finished in 6th place in the 15 year old girls division with a score of 2402 to earn a plaque. It was the first time Darien finished in the top 16 and the score was an improvement over previous years.
Six boys from the Sea Lions Swim Team qualified and participated in the meet. Nine year old Johnny Smallhouse achieved his first IMX qualifying score over the summer and showed that he was one of the swimmers to keep an eye on. Johnny finished in 3rd place in the 9 year old boys to earn a plaque with a score 2159 points. Ethan Kellam returned to his second IMX meet and earned the 8th place plaque in the 10 year old boys division with a score 1717 points. Mason Stewart also returned to his second IMX Meet and finished in 13th place in the 11 year old boys division with a score of 1181. Ben Fister, qualifying for his first IMX meet, finished in 5th place in the 11 year old boys division with a score of 2445. Riley Stewart, returning for his third IMX Meet, finished in 4rd place among the 12 year old boys with a score of 2903. Evan Apuron, also returning to his third IMX Meet finished in 5th place in the 13 year old boys with a score of 3554.
It was great accomplishment for a team from a small community to have 8 swimmers qualify to swim at this meet and even a bigger accomplishment to have 7 swimmers finish in the top 16 in their respective age groups. The Sea Lions Swim Team had a team score of 19,001 which was good enough to put them in 12th place in the final standings which is a remarkable accomplishment for the team.
The San Manuel Sea Lions Swim Team practices in Oro Valley during November – March while the water is too cold to hold practice in San Manuel or Mammoth. Anyone interested in more information on the Sea Lions can contact Alex Gort (896-2190) or check the team website, sealionsswimteam.com.
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.
by by