Rosen paces NWAC at sectional

Laura Rosen continued to put her name all over the North Whidbey Aquatic Club's record book with an excellent effort at the Senior Sectional Championships in Federal Way March 8 to 11.

Laura Rosen continued to put her name all over the North Whidbey Aquatic Club’s record book with an excellent effort at the Senior Sectional Championships in Federal Way March 8 to 11.

Rosen set five team records in individual events and added four relay marks at the sectional, which featured the best swimmers from 12 Western states, including past and future Olympians.

Rosen received the NWAC Swimmer of the Meet award, earning finals swims in four events and setting team records in the 100 freestyle (1:00.73), 200 free 92:07.75), 400 free (4:31.32), 200 butterfly (2:21.74) and 400 individual medley (5:06.66).

Her highest placings were in the 200 free and 200 fly, both 17th.

Rosen joined Ciara Hu, Emily Huffer, and Lauren Vagt to notch team records in the 200 free (1:56.54), 400 free (4:13.26), 200 medley (2:08.15) and 400 medley (4:41.41) relays.

Earning the Aquajets RelayBig Award was Vagt, who anchored all four relays with blistering swims, according to coach Neil Romney, dropping over five seconds in the 200 medley (30.16) and three seconds in the 400 free (1:06.58).

Also earning a finals swim was Hu, placing 19th in the 200 fly (2:22.64).

Huffer added team records in the 100 backstroke (1:08.29), 200 back (2:26.66) and 800 free (9:40.44).

Hu, Rosen, Cole Weinstein, Vagt and Michael McGinnis all had 100 percent personal bests in relay legs.

New senior sectional cuts were earned by Hu, Weinstein and the boys 200 medley, 200 free and 400 free relays (Josh Jepsen, Jacob Jepsen, Weinstein and McGinnis).

NWAC next competes at the Age Group Sectional Championships in Federal Way March 30 to April 1, where it will field a team of 12 athletes.

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.