Local clubs swim in Speedo championships

Two Valley swimming clubs -- the Wasilla Waves and the Palmer Polar Bears, competed against swimming clubs from around the state in the 2002 Speedo Alaska Junior Olympics championships at Bartlett High School over the weekend.

"This is the championship for Alaska club swimmers," said Waves coach Bobbi Hamilton. "The winners here are considered the fastest swimmers in the state."

Sarah Brettrager helped the Waves to a strong performance by winning the girls' 15 and older 50-yard freestyle and adding a second-place finish in the 100 free. Brettrager also finished third in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke.

During Friday's preliminary events, Hamilton said she hoped for the Waves to get a top 10 finish. The Waves have only 11 swimmers in their program, compared to other clubs that have as many as 100 swimmers. The Waves finished 11th among 23 swim clubs.

"We have a pretty diverse group of swimmers that do well at all events," Hamilton said. "We concentrate on swimmers being good in all events instead of focusing on one event."

Kelly Cross earned team points for the Waves with an eighth-place finish in the girls' 15 and older 100 butterfly and 11th-place finishes in the 100 backstroke and 200 individual medley.

Elise Long finished second in the girls' 13-14 year old 500, 1,000 and 1,650 freestyle events and fourth in the 200 individual medley, with Nancy Long finishing fourth in the 500 free and third in the 1,000 and 1,650 freestyle events. The Longs teamed with Katie Shadrach and Azzy Brown to take third in the 400 freestyle relay and sixth in the 200 medley relay. Shadrach finished sixth in the 200 breaststroke.

Ben Harris finished second in boys' 13-14 year old 100 and 200 butterfly, third in the 50 free, fourth in the 100 and 200 freestyle events.

Christian Long finished first in the boys' 10 and younger 500 free, fourth in the 200 free, sixth in the 100 butterfly and ninth in the 50 free.

Jeff Frey finished third in the boys' 10 and younger 100 freestyle and butterfly and fourth in both the 50 freestyle and butterfly events.

Four swimmers qualified for the meet from the Palmer Polar Bears, who finished 22nd among competing clubs.

Lucy Spann finished fourth in the girls' 13-14 year old 200 butterfly and 16th in the 200 breaststroke.

Joseph Spann finished seventh in the boys' 13-14 year old butterfly and Justin Kaucic finished 11th in the boys' 15 and older 200 breaststroke.

Brandi Day finished 23rd in the girls' 11-12 year-old 100 freestyle, shaving three seconds of her personal best time.

"The kids swim in meets all year leading to this event," said Polar Bears assistant coach Joe Spann. "They really work hard for this but it is also a lot of fun for them."