Blue Heron trio combines to claim 15 wins / NWAC

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Three North Whidbey Aquatic Club swimmers accounted for 15 of the Blue Heron’s 17 individual event wins at the season’s second Winter Challenge Jan. 28 and 29 in Bellingham.

In addition, eight NWAC athletes combined to post 26 new club top-16 times; also a slew of personal bests were established.

Kiersten Tyson, 10; Ashleigh Merrill, 13; and Hailey Borja, 9; won seven, six and five events, respectively, and were named Tri-Swimmers of the Meet by coach Dick Taylor.

Lola Chargualaf, 10, and Kyle Coonan, 15, also picked up individual wins.

Seven efforts were singled out by Taylor as Fast Swims of the Meet: Chargualaf (200-yard freestyle, 2:24.62); Madelyn Coonan, 12 (100 breaststroke, 1:45.06); Ava Davis, 8 (100 free, 1:34.83); Caitlin Dennen, 13 (100 breast, 1:23.89); Cassidy Drown, 9 (100 breast, 1:47.62); Lilah Forbes, 9 (100 free, 1:39.57); and Robin Zemlo, 12 (100 breast, 1:28.59).

The most noteworthy PRs, according to Taylor, were set by

NWAC Most Improved Swimmers of the Meet Mia Ackerman, 13; Kyle Coonan; Cole Davis, 11; Hailey Ewert, 8; Lily Hawkins, 12; and Ethan Nix, 15.

Next up for the Blue Heron is a trip to Bainbridge Island Feb. 11 and 12.