Three Portage swimmers took firsts and made age group state times this weekend at the Northwest Divisional Championships held at Crawfordsville High School in Crawfordsville, IN.
CC Ball, 10, got her first-place medal in the 10 and under 200-yard individual medley (2:44:67). Ricky Del Real, 10, took first in both the 10 and under 100-yard butterfly (1:21:95) and the 10 and under 50-yard butterfly (35:06), while Michael Kinasiewicz, 12, won the 12 and under 100-yard butterfly (1:08:37), the 12 and under 100-yard backstroke (1:08:72) and the 12 and under 50-yard butterfly (30:58).
Thirty-nine members of the Portage Porpoise Swim Club qualified to participate in 169 events in the divisional championships this year, with ages ranging form 8 to 17.
“It's the most swimmers we've ever had go to divisionals,” said Kyle Smith, head coach of the Porpoises. “The kids have really put a lot of effort into this year.”
The final challenge of the season will be the Age Group State meet, held at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis the weekend of March 19. Ball, Del Real, and Kinasiewicz, who already have 2, 3 and 7 state times respectively, along with 7 of their teammates who have already qualified for state, will compete against 1,100 other swimmers from all over Indiana.
“We're a small team, comparatively, but , the team is really positioned well to make a Top 20 run at the Age Group State Meet” said Smith.
The Portage Porpoise Swim Club summer season begins April 5. Registration and try-outs for new swimmers will be March 30th and 31st from 5:30 to 7:00 and April 3 from 9:00 to noon at Portage High School, door O. Interested swimmers should bring a suit, towel, and goggles.
Contact
Portage Porpoise Swim Club
Kyle Smith
coachkyle33@hotmail.com
www.ppscswim.com