Paced by Kelly Huffer, the North Whidbey Aquatic Club recorded a strong effort at the Pacific Northwest Swimming 14-and-under Championships at Federal Way Dec. 8 to 10.
Coach Neil Romney said the Aquajets “swam an exceptional meet” while earning 91 percent relay, 85 percent preliminary and 68 percent finals personal records.
Huffer, who received the NWAC Swimmer of the Meet honor, swam PRs in every preliminary and final on the way to winning the 11-12 girls 200 butterfly (2:14.67) and finishing in the top three in four other events: 200 individual medley, 2:18.85; 400 IM, 4:51.73; 100 fly, 1:01.78 (team record); and 200 back, 2:15.32.
She also teamed up with Olivia Tungate, Taliah Black and Jillian Pape to snag four top-eight finishes in four relays, including fourth in the 200 medley (2:05.85).
The four added 100 percent preliminary PRs along with Ella Schroeder, Emily Schroeder and Kenneth Morrow.
Huffer, Pape, Emily Schroeder and Tungate PR’ed every final; and Black, Paper, Marissa Morris and the Schroeders had 100 percent relay PRs.
Tungate joined Huffer in earning a top-three finish; and Morris, Emily Schroeder and Morrow picked up top-eight spots.
Black, Pape and Jerrin Concepcion finished among the top 16 in points.
Age Group Sectional qualifiers included Morrow, Concepcion, Emily Schroeder, Jacob Thompson and Tungate.
Western Zone Championships qualifying marks were set by Morrow and Huffer.
Pape captured the NWAC RelayBig Award with personal records in all four swims. She dropped an average of three seconds per 50 and sliced eight seconds in her 100 fly leg of the 400 medley relay (1:11.68).
NWAC competes at the Washington State Senior Championships
Dec. 15 to 18 in Federal Way, where it will field a team of 10.
The North Whidbey Aquatic Club is a competitive swimming program of the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District. It includes swimmers of all abilities and ages from 6 through college.
Tryouts occur Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at the city pool from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. New swimmers should be able to swim a length of the pool in freestyle and backstroke. The first two weeks are free.
For more information, please call the pool (675-7665) to speak with head coach Neil Romney or view the team’s website at www.teamunify.com/pnswznwac.
