July 18 was a day of firsts for many swimmers at the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool.

At the three-way meet against Anacortes and Bellingham the North Whidbey Aquajets fielded its largest contingent ever, with 85 swimmers participating in the meet.

For many of the 85 competitors, it was their first swim meet after joining the Aquajets. Their lack of experience was easily made up for in enthusiasm as they bravely mounted the starting blocks and eagerly launched themselves into their races.

First-time racers for the Aquajets were Ridgely Briddell, Anna Burmeister, Jonathan Cabigting, Jose Cabigting, Mariella Empinado, Breanna Grehan, Tyler Grehan, Rheeno Kwak, Clayton Livermore, Jillian Pape, Justin Sarns, Patricia Sarns and Chris Trisler.

Many of the more experienced NWAC’ers also achieved significant “firsts.”

The following Aquajets powered themselves to 100 percent personal records (PR’s) in both their individual swims as well as their swims on relay teams, These competitors were Jarik Bainco, Irysh Concepcion, Athena De Leon Guerrero, Jerrin Concepcion, Karina Concepcion, Leanne Empinado, Joel Erickson, Jaymee Graves, Michael Jerde, Bryn Langrock, Kailee Jo Marin, Autumn Robinson, Michelle Robinson, Laura Rodeheffer, Kennedy Trisler and Konrad Borden.

Borden also captured his first-ever Swimmer of the Meet title. Competing in only his second meet, he dropped an average of 25 seconds per 50 meters, scored in two of his events and swam two “smokin’ fast” relay splits according to head coach Neil Romney.

Aquajets Mara Powers, age 9, Olivia Tungate age 7 and 12-year-old De Leon Guerrero garnered themselves blue ribbon finishes. They were the only three NWAC’ers to place first in all three of their individual events.

Two NWAC relay teams laid claim to new records.

The boys’ 12 and under 200 medley team of Jarik Bainco, John Rodeheffer, Caley Powers and Dakota Powers set the record with a blistering time of 2:27.48.

The girls’ 12 and under 200 medley relay team members Kennedy Trisler, Laura Rosen, Olivia Meyer and Emily Huffer also set the new standard with a time of 2:27.85.

NWAC places second in Wenatchee

The North Whidbey Aquatic Club Aquajets scored 2,288 points to place second in the team competition at the Third Annual Starlight Invitational Swim Meet July 11 to 13 in Wenatchee.

The Spokane Waves Swim Team won the meet with 2,566 points and taking third in the 11-team competition was the host, Barracuda Swimming, of Wenatchee.

The Aquajets were led by Evan Wilson who won five individual events in the senior men’s division and participated on the victorious 400 medley relay.

Other event winners for NWAC included Price Hu, Joey Jepsen, Olivia Meyer, Caley Powers and Laura Rosen.

Powers and Rosen broke team records in the 11- and 12-year-old boys and girls divisions, respectively.

Powers lowered the freestyle records in the 200 with a clocking of 2:19.98, the 400 at 4:55.55 and the 1,500 in a time of 19:13.88.

Rosen dropped eight seconds off her own 1,500 freestyle record to finish in 18:55.90.

Powers and Rosen also earned three new qualifying times each for the March 2009 Northwest Sectional meet.

Powers qualified in the 200, 400, and 1,500 freestyle events, and Rosen in the 1,500 freestyle, as well as the 200 breaststroke with a time of 3:00.79, and 100 freestyle at 1:04.77.

Josh Jepsen also qualified in the boys 13-year-old 1,500 freestyle.

The Northwest Sectional meet brings together the fastest youth swimmers in eight western states.

NWAC had several victorious relay teams including the senior men’s 400 medley team of Jacob Jepsen, Evan Wilson, Price Hu and Spencer Livermore, and the 11- and 12-year-old mixed 400 medley team of Irysh Concepcion, Olivia Meyer, Lauren Vagt and Kennedy Trisler.

Setting relay team records were the senior women’s 400 medley team of Akasha Trisler, Julia Marriott, Laura Rosen and Rachel Weinstein in a time of 4:58.39 and the senior women’s 400 freestyle team of Karina Concepcion, Marriott, Rosen and Weinstein at 4:25.88.

Pacific Northwest Swimming Championships qualifiers

Boys

9- to-10-year-olds

Joey Jepsen, 100 breaststroke.

11- to-12-year-olds

Dakota Powers, 1,500 freestyle.

Girls

9- to-10-year-olds

Molly Vagt, 100 butterfly, 1:33.88.

Marissa Morris, 200 freestyle, 2:56.32.