Two North Whidbey Aquatic Club members met Pacific Northwest Swimming qualifying standards for the first time in the Fall Divisional Championships at Kamiak High School Dec. 4 and 5.
Among the many outstanding performances by NWAC swimmers, Michael McGinnis in the boys 13-and-over 50 free (24.23 for first place) and 100 breast (1:09.13 for second place) and Brett Vagt in the boys 13-and-over 200 fly (2:19.56 for first place) earned their first PNS championship qualifying marks.
Ethan Tack, boys 9-10, continued his stellar season by sweeping all five individual events to win the boys 10-and-under pentathlon. He set team records in the 50 fly (30.65) and 50 free (28.92), the latter breaking a 14-year-old mark
Other Aquajet event winners included Michael Johnson and Lucas Tack.
Ten-year-old Olivia Tungate added the 50 back (34.86) to her list of qualifying times for the Western Zone Championships in Fresno next August.
New PNS Gold times were met by Angela Johnson, Lucas Tack and Brannigan Vogt; while new PNS Silver times were recorded by Branden Barnes, Harrison Tack, Kelsey Vogt and Lawrence Zapanta.
Barnes, Michael Johnson, McGinnis, Harrison Tack and Lucas Tack hit 100 percent preliminary personal records; and Lauren Vagt and Nicole Vogt had 100 percent final PR’s.
NWAC Swimmer of the Meet honors went to Angela Johnson who qualified for five finals, swam PR’s in four finals, achieved new PNS Gold cuts in the 100 breast (1:22.36) and 200 individual medley (2:38.36) and broke 28 in the 50 free (27.75).
The Aquajets next compete at the 14-and-under PNS Championships Dec. 10-12 in Federal Way. They will field a team of 20 swimmers.
The North Whidbey Aquatic Club is a competitive swimming program of the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District. It includes swimmers of all abilities and ages from 6 through college.
Tryouts occur Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at the city pool from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. New swimmers should be able to swim a length of the pool in freestyle and backstroke. The first two weeks are free.
For more information, please call the pool (765-7665) to speak with head coach Neil Romney or view the team’s website at www.teamunify.com/pnswznwac.
