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First year swimmer Arianna Ervin doing the butterfly. Apuron Photography
On Saturday, July 8, the Sea Lions Swim Team hosted the Florence Sharks in the Mammoth Pool. The Sea Lions won the meet 1202 to 75. Due to the size difference of the teams, the outcome of the meet was never in doubt. The Sea Lions won every one of the 80 events contested at the meet. This win marks the 11th consecutive year that the Sea Lions have finished the Central Arizona Swimming League Dual Meet Season without a loss.
Four Sea Lions team records fell at the meet. Evan Apuron set a new record in the 13-14 boys 100 Butterfly with a time of 1:00.06 (previous record of 1:02.03 by Will Newman, 2014). Evan also improved his own team record in the 100 Breaststroke to 1:11.78. Darien Apuron improved her own team record in the 15- 18 Girls 200 Individual Medley (IM) to a time of 2:30.32. AJ Lopez and Riley Stewart improved the 13-14 Boys 200 Freestyle Relay team record time to 1:50.22.
While Sea Lions swam best times in many events, only three Sea Lions swam all the events in their age group and achieved best times in every event: Cooper Dale (9), Arianna Ervin (10), and Martin Madrid (10).
Seven Sea Lion Swimmers won all the events in their age group. Annie Nemons (6), Simon Fletcher (6), Jocelyn Hudson (7), Martin Madrid (10), Tabitha Kellam (13), Andres Valenzuela (15), and Darien Apuron (16) each won all of the events in their age group the meet.
The following swimmers had first place finishes on Saturday:
Annie Nemons, 6, (Fly, Back, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Simon Fletcher, 6, (Fly, Back, Breast, Free);
Jocelyn Hudson, 7, (IM, Fly, Back, 50 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Jessica Rouse, 9, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Anya Zovko, 9, (IM, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Cooper Dale swims for the Sea Lions. Apuron Photography
Cooper Dale, 9, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Arianna Ervin, 10, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Julie Ramirez, 10, (Fly, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Martin Madrid swims for the Sea Lions. Apuron Photography
Martin Madrid, 10, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Mason Stewart, 11, (Medley Relay);
Briana Castellanos, 12, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Mia Dale, 12, (Breast, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Ashlee Parker, 12, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Rocky Andrade, 12, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Ben Fister, 12, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay);
Robert Sanz-Anton, 12, (Free Relay);
Rianna Estrada, 13, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Tabitha Kellam, 13, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
AJ Lopez, 13, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Riley Stewart, 13, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Hunter Hill, 13, (Medley Relay);
Aubrey Bridges, 14, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Star Chavez, 14, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Evan Apuron, 14, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay);
Nate Fister, 14, (Medley Relay);
Andres Valenzuela, 15, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Jayden Smith, 15, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Darien Apuron, 16, (IM, Fly, Back, 100 Free, Breast, Free, Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Daniel Garcia, 16, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Jessi Rice, 17, (Medley Relay, Free Relay);
Raya Woods, 17, (Medley Relay, Free Relay).
Arianna Ervin was named Sea Lions Beast of the Week. In her first season with the swim team, she enjoys coming to practice to learn all the competitive strokes. With her hard work, she has learned to swim all the competitive events and competed in all of them at the meet for the first time. She achieved personal best times in all of her events and earned ribbons in every one of them. She came from behind in the 50 Freestyle to finish ahead of the Florence swimmer in the adjacent lane.
The Sea Lions will attend the Central Arizona Swim League Relay Meet at Parkside (Florence Anthem) on Saturday, July 15.
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 6 p.m. (Monday-Friday) for more information.
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