UKIAH >> It took 15 years before they were invited to participate, but the Lake County Channel Cats made the most of their first appearance in the Redwood Empire Aquatic League (REAL) Championships last weekend in Ukiah.
Fifteen Channel Cats represented Lake County and three came away with first-place finishes – 12-year-old Robin Adams in the 500-yard backstroke, 15-year-old Charlie Adams in the 200 freestyle, and 6-year-old Landon Williams, who was participating in his first competitive meet, in the 25 freestyle.
Diego Tejeda, 17, had the next best finish with a third in the 200 breaststroke. Sebastian Chavez, 8, added another third in the 25 backstroke.
Among other Channel Cants participants:
Girls
Fifth-place finishes went to Tori Tropf, 8, in the 25 backstoke, to Jenna Williams, 14, in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly events, to Nikki Hanson in the 200 individual medley and 200 freestyle events, and to Emma Larsen, 15, in the 100 butterfly.
Maria Tinoco, 13, added a pair of sixths in the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle events, and Kaylie Williams, 17, was seventh in the 200 individual medley.
Also for the Cats, Jasmine Stavers, 11, was 10th in the 50 freestyle and 50 backstroke events, and Danielle Erickson, 15, placed 14th in the 100 breaststroke.
The 200 freestyle relay team of Larsen, Hanson, Jenna Williams and Kaylie Williams came in fourth.
Boys
Riley Lopez, 8, came in seven in the 50 freestyle while teammate J.C. Chavez, 12, was eighth in both the 100 freestyle and 50 breaststroke.
League
The Channel Cats placed fifth overall in the final league standings. They are now wrapping up their summer season and will start their fall season in September.
For more information on the Channel Cats please call 263-3131.
