2011 Eastern Zone SECTIONALS

Swimming’s version of March Madness came to a close for the Marlins down in Christiansburg, VA at the Speedo Championship Series Short Course Region 2 (South) meet, AKA Sectionals.  The Marlins traveled with 13 swimmers, the most we’ve taken to the meet in quite some time.  The group was evenly split with seven boys and six girls, with swimmers as young as 14.  The Marlins performed outstanding finishing 24th overall out of 53 scoring teams and finishing 6th out of PVS teams.  Our swimmers achieved 59% best times over the course of the weekend, which as coaches from other clubs commented is unreal for a meet at this point in the season.

Only one swimmer had 100% best times in four or more swims.  Stephanie Clarke swam five best times down at the meet.  She had best times in the 50 free, 100 back (finally breaking a minute – 59.74), the 100 fly (58.90 – also breaking the minute barrier for the first time), 200 back and she led off the 400 free relay with a best time for the 100 free.  Great job, Steph!!

Nic Laffosse went five for eight in best times over the course of the three days.  His best swim was the 200 fly where he finished in 7th place with an NCSA Junior National qualifying time of 1:53.01.  Nic also finished in 16th in the 500 where his morning swim was a 4:44.47.  Other best times for Nic were in the 100 fly (53.23), and leading off the relays with a 50 free split (22.57) and 200 free split (1:45.10).  What a great way to finish your short course career for the Marlins.  We all wish Nic good luck at West Point where he hopes to continue swimming!

Caleb Meindertsma continued his monster spring dropping time in four of his six events.  Caleb went best times in the 200 free, the 1650 free (7th place finish), the 100 and 200 fly.  Caleb also placed 8th in the 1000 free.  These were very impressive swims considering he just had huge drops at Senior Champs just two weeks before.  Keep up the great work, Caleb. 

Lauren Hensley, one of the youngest on the trip, went four for four on best times.  Her first swim was in a time trial in the 100 free where she went 55.46.  Lauren got closer to breaking the 1:00 barrier in the 100 back by going a 1:00.70.  But Lauren saved her best for last by dropping 5.23 seconds in the 200 back (2:08.27) and finishing 16th in finals.  Great job, Lauren, this is just the first of many travel meets for you; I am sure of it. 

Natalie Obando, another of our superstar 14 year olds, had three best times in the 50 free, 200 free and the 200 back.  Natalie’s 200 back was good enough to get her back to finals where she placed 24th.  Other swimmers making finals were Laura Schwartz 12th in the 100 fly, 14th in the 400 IM, 15th in the 500 free, 7th in the 1000 free and 15th in the 200 IM.  Nick Campbell and Colin Chartier both made bonus finals in the 200 back with Nick finishing 21st and Colin finishing 24th. 

It was a great weekend of swimming and team building.  What started back in September with team building at Camp Hemlock was evident on the deck with the swimmers getting up and cheering for each and every swim.  It was very nice to see such a tight group come together from across the Marlins club.                                                                                          

Coach Kevin Ahearn

Photos by Mr. Dimitar Mavrova.