AquaZot Swim Club

AZOT Swimmers Bring Home Gold Medals from Canada

Two AquaZot swimmers traveled to Canada this weekend to compete against the best swimmers on the west coast of the U.S. and Canada in the Pacific Coast All-Star Meet. 12 year-old Jared Namba, coached by Head Age Group coach Dave Paul, and 13 year-old Christopher Wong, coached by Head Coach Brian Pajer left the U.S. Friday evening for Vancouver , Canada . The two day competition featured swimmers from northern and southern California , Oregon , Washington , and British Colombia racing for the top spots in their age groups in a 25 meter short course format. Since the U.S. swimmers rarely get a chance to compete short course meters, all our swimmers times were sure to be lifetime bests.

Jared Namba struck gold in the 50 butterfly, as he powered through his signature event in a very quick 29.34 seconds. One of only two swimmers to crack the 30 second barrier in the event, this was the first international title ever for Jared. He backed up that great performance with a strong bronze medal showing in the 100 fly, as he was the top finisher from southern California with a 1:05.85. Jared just missed medaling in both of the backstroke events, as he finished 4^th in both the 50 back (31.68) and the 100 back (1:08.07). Jared rounded out his individual events with a 7^th place finish in the 200 free (2:11.75) and a 9^th place in the 100 free (1:01.93). In the relay events, Jared shared in two more gold medal swims. In the 200 free relay, Jared’s 26.97 split on the third leg helped his team secure the gold medal, as they finished in 1:47.19. In the 400 free relay, Jared lead off in a blazing 1:00.54 (over a second faster than he swam in the individual 100 free) to help his SCS team win the gold in 3:57.92. Jared also swam the fly leg on the 200 medley relay, which fought to the wire, and was just out-touched by .09 as they earned the silver for 2^nd place. In an unusual happening, Jared and his ‘B’ 400 medley relay teammates decided to show the ‘A’ squad how to swim the event, as they ‘B’ team out-split the ‘A’ team on the first three legs (including Jared’s backstroke split of 1:08.09) to post a faster time than the ‘A’ relay 4:36.23 to 4:37.11. The swim would have been good enough for the silver medal, but since each region was only allowed one relay in the final heat, the ‘B’ relay was relegated to the consolation heat.

Jared Namba’s Total Medal Count: 4

3 Golds

1 Bronze

Chris Wong was excited to test his quickly improving swimming skills against the best competition in the west. Although just 13 years old and swimming in the 13-14 age group, Chris felt his strong technique and solid training regimen could counter some of the advantage of his stronger 14 year-old competitors. In the 200 free Chris faced off against a tough field, and finished an impressive 2^nd place, and was not only the top 13 year old finisher, but also the top American as his 1:59.91 was only bested by 14 year old Canadian Jeremy Bagshaw. In the 100 backstroke, Chris again faced tough competition, and he performed very well, as he was again the top American and 13 year-old with his silver medal time of 1:02.20. Chris added a trio of fifth place finishes to his two silver medal swims, as he was clocked at 4:15.26 in the 400 free, 2:15.79 in the 200 back, and 2:16.83 in the 200 IM. In his weakest stroke, Chris still managed a top-10 finish in the 100 breast (10^th 1:15.50) to round out an impressive weekend of individual swims.

In the relay events, Chris helped his southern California teammates win gold medals in both the 200 and 400 medley relays. In the 200 event, Chris would swim the backstroke leg for SCS, and would be pitted against the 100 backstroke individual event champion from Canada , Philip Albu. In a surprise upset, Chris split a fast 28.83 on the backstroke leg, to squeeze out a .04 lead for his teammates over Canada and Albu. It turned out to be the decisive leg, as SCS needed every bit of that advantage as they out-touched Canada at the finish by a mere .02 in what was to be the closest relay finish of the meet. In the 400 medley, Chris swam an outstanding 1:02.84 100 backstroke leg, as his team brought home the gold by three seconds over Canada with a 4:08.88 clocking. Chris basked up these excellent swims with very good 50 free (25.32) and 100 free (56.01) splits on the SCS 200 & 400 free relay ‘B’ teams. Chris’ 100 free lead-off split would have placed him 5^th in the individual 100 free event.

Christopher Wong’s Total Medal Count: 4

2 Golds

2 Silver

Total Medal Count for AquaZot Swim Club:8

5 Golds

2 Silver

1 Bronze

Thanks go out to Jared and Chris from all the AZOT coaches and swimmers for representing AquaZot so impressively in this big international competition!

The seven AZOT swimmers who competed in the Swim Festival this weekend at the Belmont Plaza Olympic pool in Long Beach combined to win 3 individual titles, score 10 top-3 places, and were a part of 4 relay team victories.

11 year-old Corey Okobo was the youngest Festival champion with his victory in the 100 Butterfly. Corey, who ranked #1 in the nation in the 100 fly as a 10 year old, proved that he is already a factor his new age group, as his 1:02.74 was over a second faster than his nearest challenger. Corey also scored a silver medal in the 200 IM in 2:20.67, and a bronze medal in the 100 backstroke with a 1:05.04. In the relays, Corey contributed a fast 26.70 anchor split to the Red team 200 Free Relay, to secure a gold medal for his squad. In the 200 Medley Relay, Corey split a fast 28.75 fly leg, to help his team to a silver medal finish. Way to go Corey!

AquaZot also had two 13/14 girls who won events at the Festival. Lauren Parrett, fresh off a great Grand Prix meet last weekend, proved that she can swim fast two weeks in a row. Lauren put together a solid 100 breaststroke effort, and took the gold medal with a 1:06.46 swim. (The Festival record in the event is held by fellow AZOT swimmer Stephanie Gabert, at 1:04.53 from two years ago.) Lauren also had a great swim in the 100 freestyle, as she surprised a talented field to secure the silver medal, with a very good lifetime best time of 54.59. Lauren finished 4^th in the 200 IM, in a best time of 2:12.68 and contributed a 1:05.50 breaststroke split (the fastest of the competition) on the 400 Medley Relay. She pulled her team from 5^th place to a strong second place, as they went on to win the gold medal in a festival record of 4:02.11. In the 400 Free Relay, Lauren split a very fast 53.82 to help her team to the silver medal in 3:38.20.

Rheanna Vaughn knew her best event, the 200 butterfly was not on the schedule for the festival meet, so she was ready to attack the shorter 100 fly with a medal grabbing swim in mind. She did more than just win a medal, as she came from behind on the last length to just out-touch the field by .04 for the gold medal. The time broke the festival record by over a second, and proved that the 58.45 swim she put together at the Grand Prix last weekend was no fluke. Rheanna also placed 4^th in the 200 freestyle, with a best time of 1:59.07. In the 400 Free Relay, Rheanna was given the anchor position, and she powered home in 55.18 (a personal best time) to capture the gold medal for the Green team in a new festival record time of 3:37.47.

10 year-old Ellen Naruse had a very good festival outing, winning two individual silver medals and an individual bronze. Her two silver medal performances came in the 50 & 200 freestyles, as she turned in very good times of 28.47 and 2:13.77 respectively. In the 100 freestyle, Ellen swam a lifetime best time of 1:02.06 to capture the bronze medal. In the relays, Ellen had a quick opening back split of 32.82 in the 200 Medley Relay, to help her team to a gold medal performance of 2:09.05. Ellen’s 200 Free Relay team placed a strong 4^th, with Ellen leading off in a solid 28.71.

14 year-old Morgan Sprosty had an excellent festival meet. In the 100 free, Morgan broke 57 for the first time with a 56.66 effort for 7^th place. In the 100 backstroke, Morgan swam under 1:03 for only the second time in her career, as she placed 8^th in a 1:02.93. In the 200 IM, another best time of 2:16.63 placed Morgan 8^th, in an event where she has dropped 7 seconds this season so far. A 56.08 100 free split helped Morgan’s yellow team to a 4^th place finish in the 400 free relay

.Katherine Delaney continues to improve steadily, and the festival meet was no exception. In the 100 breaststroke, Katherine was the fastest 13 year old in the meet, as she placed 5^th with a best time of 1:09.35. The 100 backstroke, Katherine came into the meet with a 1:04.+ best time, and she still doesn’t know what it feels like to swim a 1:03 as she jumped over that time entirely to record a 1:02.68 and finish 6^th. In the 200 IM, Katherine hit another best time, as her 2:17.69 was good for 9^th place.

Garrett Larson didn’t want the AZOT girls to have all the fun, so he went out and captured some of lifetime best times for himself at the festival meet. In the 100 breaststroke, Garrett went out fast, and battled a fast field down the stretch to capture the silver medal with a two second time drop of 1:04.47. In the 100 back Garrett placed 4^th with a 1:01.20, and was also 4^th in the 200 IM with a best time of 2:07.28. In the 400 medley relay, Garrett blasted a 1:03.96 breaststroke leg, the fastest for anyone in the competition, to give his red team the early lead, as they ended up winning a silver medal in a close race with the blue team.Congratulations to all the AquaZot swimmers in a great festival meet.

The Toyota Grand Prix meet was a large stage for many young AZOT swimmers who shared the pool with six world record holders, and 17 Olympians. Two AZOT swimmers are following in the footsteps of many of their swimming idols, by becoming first time qualifiers for the Junior National Championships to be held in Orlando , Florida in March. Showcasing the best and brightest young talent in the United States , this 18 & under meet is held twice yearly to provide a stepping stone to the USA Swimming National Championships. Nearly all USA Olympians have progressed through the Junior National level before experiencing success at National and International levels.

15 year-old Kelsey Larson achieved her first Junior National qualifying time in the 200 Breaststroke. Kelsey easily bettered the 2:24.29 minimum time with a 2:22.22 effort during a swim-off for 16^th place.

14 year-old Rheanna Vaughn was the other AZOT swimmer to achieve a first Junior National Standard this past weekend. Rheanna qualified in not just one, but two events during the Grand Prix meet. Her 2:10.73 entry time was over three seconds off of the 2:07.39 minimum J.N. time, but confident in her training, Rheanna took her race out in a fast 59.88 at the 100 mark and raced home for a 2:06.84 result. In the 100 event later in the meet, Rheanna needed to drop nearly1 ½ seconds from her best time of 59.88 to reach the qualifying time of 58.49. She again went out fast, and finished strong, to notch a 58.45.

Congratulations to both of these fine young ladies on these barrier breaking performances!

Several AZOT swimmers had season best times at the grand prix meet in Long Beach last weekend.

Lauren Parrett had an outstanding meet, with big drops in her breaststroke events. After only just breaking 2:30 for the first time last month’s AA championship, she is now very close to cutting through the 2:20 barrier. After a 2:22.14 morning effort, Lauren further lowered her time to 2:21.87 in the finals, which was good for 13^th place. In the 100 distance, Lauren improved to a 1:05.67 in the morning, which tied her for 8^th place. In a swim-off to break the tie, Lauren further lowered her time to a 1:05.03, but was out-touched and ended up finishing 12^th at night.

Rheanna Vaughn proved this weekend that she has been working hard at practice on her butterfly sets. In the 200 Rheanna entered the meet with a 2:10, and wanted to take her time well under the 2:10 barrier. She did just that, posting a 2:06.84 in her best event. In a rare event, she also set a new best time in the 100 fly by .02 during the 200 fly, as she split a 59.88 at the 100 mark. In the 100 fly, she lowered her time yet again, posting a very good 58.45.

John Kim had a strong meet, with several lifetime best times. In the 100 breaststroke, John dropped under 1:00 for the first time, with a 59.81 effort, the fastest time for any 14&under boy in the meet. In the 200 IM, John swam to a personal best of 1:58.37.

Kelsey Larson and Katherine Delaney each dropped time in the 200 breaststroke events. Kelsey entered the meet with a 2:24 from the AA meet last month, and swam to a 2:22.22 during a swim-off for 16^th place. Katherine entered with a 2:29, and improved to a 2:26.95.

Ryan Kikuchi had a solid meet. He showed improvement in both the 200 IM (1:55.92 for 10^th) and the 400 IM (4:03.07 for 7^th). In the backstroke events, Ryan had a very good 200 backstroke, taking 2 seconds from his best time with a 1:52.37. In the 100 back Ryan also had a best time of 53.78.

Margaret Spach had new lifetime best swims in the 200 breast (2:26.10), the 100 back (1:01.15), and the 200 back (2:09.39).

The Men’s 800 free relay was the only AZOT relay to finish in the top-3, as they took 3^rd in a senior national qualifying time of 6:52.02.