The Wrangell Swim Club, the local organization for youth swimmers, has been very busy these past few months. Since December, they have participated in three different championship meets as well as a decathlon. Jamie Roberts, coach of the swim club, said that many of her swimmers have been showing improvement in their techniques and speed.
“What I like to look at is how many of them got improved in their times, those are what I call their personal bests,” she said. “That, to me, really speaks to the level of work that they’re doing and the improvements that they make.”
The 10 & Under Alaska State Championship took place on Dec. 1 of last year. Roberts said that this was the first championship of its kind, a “virtual” meet. About 260 swimmers from 18 different teams across the state participated. Instead of gathering all the teams into one location, Roberts explained, everyone competed in a different location of their choice and turned in the results to the state. Awards were then given out according to the results. Roberts said that the Wrangell Swim Club traveled to Ketchikan for their meet, to have a little bit of real-life competition.
Five swimmers from Wrangell competed. Stella Buness, the youngest Wrangell swimmer participating at seven-years-old, achieved one personal best. Christina Johnson achieved three personal bests. Sophia Martinsen achieved one personal best. Andrei Siekawitch achieved three personal bests. Roberts pointed out that all the swimmers achieved a personal best in at least one swim.
The 2018 Mike Smithers Decathlon took place in Ketchikan, from Dec. 14 to 16. There were 89 swimmers participating from five different Southeast Alaskan teams. Wrangell sent nine swimmers to compete. Roberts said that of the 90 total swims made during the meet, there were 63 personal bests achieved. Alisha Armstrong achieved six personal bests. The decathlon, as the name suggests, has swimmers competing in 10 events. Roberts said that for some members of the club, this was their first time to compete in some of the particular events. The Wrangell Swim Club trains all their swimmers in each type of stroke, she said, but swimmers often prefer to compete in their favorites.
Jimmy Baggen achieved seven personal bests. Roberts added that, “in a very exciting moment lasting only 25.61 seconds,” Baggen performed well enough in the 50-yard freestyle during the decathlon to qualify for the Senior Championships meet. Trinity Glaser made nine personal bests. Ashleigh Loomis made eight personal bests. Sophia Martinsen made nine personal bests. Jack Roberts made six personal bests. Renee Roberts made six personal bests. She also took the first place High Point award for girls 13-years-old and over. Nikolkai Siekawitch achieved seven personal bests. He took the second place High Point award for boys 13-years-old and over. Rhiannon Wenzel made five personal bests.
On Jan. 25 to 27, the swim club participated in the 2019 Alaska Senior Championship in the city of Homer. This competition was open to swimmers between the ages of 13-years-old to 20-years-old, who met the qualifying times and swam in six events previously. There were 118 swimmers from 14 different teams. Wrangell sent three swimmers to compete. Jimmy Baggen, Renee Roberts, and Nikolai Siekawitch each achieved one personal best during the championship meet.
Baggen took 11th place in the 1000-yard freestyle, 16th in the 200-yard breaststroke, 43rd in the 50-yard freestyle, 40th in the 100-yard freestyle, 26th in the 100-yard breaststroke, and 22nd in the 500-yard freestyle. Roberts took 11th place in the 100-yard backstroke, 5th in the 50-yard freestyle, 24th in the 200-yard individual medley, 14th in the 100-yard freestyle, and 22nd in the 100-yard breaststroke. Siekawitch took 10th place in the 1000-yard freestyle, 22nd in the 100-yard backstroke, 21st in the 100-yard fly, 24th in the 50-yard freestyle, 26th in the 100-yard freestyle, and 24th in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Most recently, the swim club also participated in the 2019 Alaska Age Group Championship. Roberts said that this competition is open to swimmers from the ages of eight-years-old to 14-years-old that met qualifying times and swam in seven previous events. There were 390 swimmers from 24 teams. Wrangell sent four swimmers. Christina Johnson made six personal bests. Jack Roberts made five personal bests. Renee Roberts made six personal bests. Nikolai Siekawitch made six personal bests. Jack Roberts won the state championship in the 50-yard fly in the 12-year-old boys category. In total, of the 28 swims made by the swim club, there were 23 personal bests.
The Wrangell Swim Club is not slowing down just yet, either. Coming this April, they will be competing in the 2019 Southeast Championships in Juneau. Some members of the swim club will also be participating in the Alaska Junior Olympics near the end of April. Coach Roberts also said that they are planning to hold a fundraiser sometime in March.
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