Six North Whidbey Aquatic Club members competed at the Pacific Northwest Swim Championships Dec. 13-15 in Federal Way and helped NWAC place 26th out of 51 teams.
NWAC compiled 98 points and the athletes achieved an 83 percent success rate.

NWAC was led by junior squad member Olivia Tungate, 13, who placed second in the 200 backstroke (2:07.98), fourth in the 200 butterfly (2:08.94), seventh in the 100 fly (59.92), eighth in the 200 individual medley (2:14.7), ninth in the 100 back (1:01.77) and 11th in the 400 IM (4:45.54).  Tungate’s 200 fly swim placed her 25th in the country for that event. 

Other top-20 finishes for NWAC included Patrick Caldwell (18th, 50 free, 26.83; 19th, 100 free, 59.19), Ashleigh Merrill (ninth, 100 free, 1:06.85; 12th, 100 back, 1:16.53; 12th, 200 IM, 2:46.63; 16th, 50 fly, 34.18; 16th, 200 free, 2:31.40; and Lawrence Zapata, 14th, 50 breast, 40.86; 16th, 100 breaststroke, 1:29.57 . 

NWAC junior swimmers Taliah Black and Jillian Pape also swam multiple events and added to NWAC’s successful results. 

NWAC is a taxpayer-supported program of North Whidbey Park and Recreation District open to youth up to 18 years of age. The team’s mission is to foster the development of Whidbey Island youth as competitive swimmers and well-adjusted individuals.

Tryouts are available by appointment, and the first two weeks of workouts are free.

For more information, contact head coach Bill Patterson at 360-675-7665 or headcoach@oakharborpool.com