North Whidbey Aquatic Club Aquajets Kelly and Emily Huffer each qualified for the Western Zone Swimming Championships in two events at the Pacific Northwest Swimming Championships in Federal Way, Dec. 11-13.
Kelly Huffer qualified in the girls 10-and-under 100 fly (1:13.71) and 100 back (1:15.39). Emily Huffer qualified in the girls 13-14 100 (1:02.72) and 200 back (2:15.71).
The Western Zone meet, held every August, is an all-star meet that attracts the fastest youth swimmers from 10 western states. This year’s meet will be in San Jose.
Kelly Huffer was the Aquajets’ top point scorer, finishing in the top eight in all six of her events including a third place in the 100 fly to amass a total of 87 points.
Laura Rosen was NWAC’s only event winner, coming from behind in the last half of the girls 13-14 200 fly race to capture the title in 2:11.49.
Other individual point scorers (top 16 finishers in each event) for NWAC included Joel Erickson, Emily Huffer, Josh Jepsen, Emily Schroeder, Ethan Tack, Olivia Tungate, Molly Vagt, Cole Weinstein, Cullen Wood and Toren Wood.
Several Aquajet relays also scored points including the boys 10-and-under 200 medley and 200 free teams (Jerrin Concepcion, Cullen Wood, Tack, Nick Fromme); the girls 10-and-under 200 medley and 200 free teams (Kenzie Judd, Tungate, Kelly Huffer, Ameerah McCowin); the boys 11-12 400 medley and 400 free teams (Toren Wood, Erickson, Joey Jepsen, Eric Jensen), and the boys 11-12 200 free team (Derek Volk for Jensen); and the girls 11-12 400 medley (Lauryn Plush, Schroeder, Vagt, Marissa Morris) and 400 free (Michelle Robinson for Schroeder) teams.
NWAC athletes finishing with 100 percent best times in the preliminary heats included Kelly Huffer, Tack, Vagt and Toren Wood; those achieving all lifetime bests in the final heats were Erickson, Emily Huffer, Josh Jepsen, Vagt and Weinstein.
Aquajets recording personal records in every relay swim included Ryan Cuajunco, Kelly Huffer, Schroeder, Vagt, Weinstein, Toren Wood, Jensen, Autumn Robinson, Jeron Kosbar, Derek Volk, Hannah Schroeder, Kenzie Judd, McCowin, Concepcion and Fromme.
Four Aquajets also achieved new Age Group Sectional qualifying times: Kelly Huffer in the 50 (35.45) and 100 back and the 50 (33.32) and 100 fly, Emily Huffer in the 100 (1:03.66) and 200 (2:24.78) fly, Joey Jepsen in the boys 11-12 50 breast (38.66); and Josh Jepsen in the boys 13-14 500 free (5:13.25).
NWAC swimmer of the meet was Kelly Huffer, who produced a lifetime best every time she stepped on the blocks, whether individual or relay swim; medaled in every event; dropped six seconds to finish third in the 100 fly; and recorded her first two Western zone qualifying times.
NWAC next competes Dec. 18-20 at the Washington State Senior Championships in Federal Way, where it will field a team of eight competitors.
The North Whidbey Aquatic Club (NWAC) 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 (765-7665) to speak with Head Coach Neil Romney or view the team’s website at www.teamunify.com/pnswznwac.
