By Staff reports
LAKE COUNTY ? Lake County Channel Cats kept cool in the pool at the Willits Otter”s annual swim meet held over the weekend of July 25 and 26. The event was attended by more than 250 swimmers representing 18 teams from the North Coast and Bay Area regions. Coached by Agustin Merodio, the Channel Cats proved fit and fast from summer practice and training. Team members, ages 5 to 16, took home a host of individual awards including a team spirit trophy earned for enthusiasm and peer encouragement.
The Cats collected more than 35 individual first place awards. Chelo Lundquist-Krag and Matteo Merodio each finished first in six events, while Charlie Adams scored first place wins in five events. Koren and Kim English each swam to first in girls 10 and under 100 yard freestyle, B and C divisions. Kelly Strong took the lead in 200-yard breaststroke and 200-yard Individual Medley for 15 to 16 year old girls while teammate Nadine Bradley finished first in the 50 yard freestyle and 200-yard breaststroke among 13 to 14 year olds. Also collecting first place wins: Shao-Jia Chang for 50-yard freestyle, Flora Ellington for 100-yard backstroke, Sarah Merodio for 50 yard backstroke and 100 yard IM, Allison Hanson for 200 yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke, Sam Omiotek for 50 and 100-yard freestyle, Brian Bradley for 50 and 100 yard freestyle, Connor Disney for 100 yard breaststroke and 200-yard backstroke, and Brandon Disney for 200 yard backstroke.
Channel Cat relay teams challenged the competition in a show of speed and teamwork. The team of Brian Bradley, Sam Omiotek, Brandon Disney and Matteo Merodio took first place in boys 13 and over 200 yard freestyle relay. The girls 10 and under team of Shannon Fronsmon, Lauren Rudnick, Kim and Koren English snapped up second place in the 100-yard freestyle relay. Girls 200-yard freestyle and 200 yard medley relay teams of Emily Omiotek, Chelo Lundquist-Krag, Nadine Bradley, Kelly Strong and Allison Hanson placed 3rd in a competitive group of girls 13 and over.
Several Channel Cats achieved the added distinction of swimming to A-level time standards. Leading the group, Chelo Lundquist-Krag scored new A-times in three events: 100-and-200 yard freestyle, and the 100 yard backstroke. Nadine Bradley logged A-times for the 50-yard free style and the 200-yard backstroke. Kelly Strong, Brian Bradley, and Charlie Adams, each swam to A-time standards in the 200-yard freestyle, 50-yard freestyle, and 25 yard backstroke, respectively in their age groups. Each swimmer was awarded a distinctive medal for their event and qualifying time.
Swimmers who achieved new B-time records included Shao-Jia Chang, Brendan Disney, Flora Ellington, Kim English, Koren English, Shannon Fronsman, Chelo Lundquist-Krag, Sam Omiotek, and Kelly Strong. Team members who logged official times and improved upon personal best included: Jazmin Uribe, Roman Uribe, Nicole Hanson, Robin Adams, Sarah Humphrey, Noe Urquiza, Candace Clayton, and Ciara Snow.
The Channel Cats practice four evenings a week at the Westshore pool in Lakeport. For more information on the swim team, swim lessons, or Channel Cat events, contact Jen Hanson at 263-3131.
