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STHS swim team collects more zone qualifying times

Chad Sellmer, Tribune staff writer

Despite an overall team loss at home Saturday against rival Galena, the South Tahoe High School swim team’s effort had several bright spots, including a number of swimmers registering zone qualifying times.

The team was also presented with the NIAA’s annual sportsmanship award during its first home meet at the South Tahoe Recreation Center pool by NIAA swimming official Bill Hess. The award is for the swim team’s last season.

“I was really excited because to me that’s more important than winning,” said Vikings coach Dale Bogard from Minnesota. Bogard was out of town for the meet and replaced by assistant coach Ann Bratton. “Sports is important in young people’s lives, and sportsmanship is the most important part of that, as far as I’m concerned.”



In the dual meet, the Vikings came up short on team scores because it lacks a diving squad. The boys lost 149-133, while the girls were defeated 190-111.

“We did great considering they are a strong team and they have divers,” Bratton said.



In boys’ action, the 200 medley relay team broke another school record, which was just broken at the team’s previous meet.

The team of Devin Blann, Zack Powers, Tim Powers and Jason Schmedes set a new record of 1 minute, 53.53 seconds, erasing the previous best of 1.53.88.

“They broke the record last week with one different person and then they broke it again this week,” she said. “They might break it again at the next meet.”

The boys’ 200 free relay team also took first at the meet. That team consists of Andrew Contreras, Erik Gallanty, Jordan Sharpe and Tim Powers.

In individual boys’ results, Contreras got a first in the 200 freestyle and a second in the 100 freestyle. Tim Powers was second in the 200 individual medley and second in the 100 fly. Brian Collins, in his first-ever meet, got his first zone qualifying time with a second in the 50 freestyle.

Zack Powers was first in the 500 freestyle and second in the 100 backstroke. Gallanty was first in the 100 breaststroke. Sharpe, Schmedes and Blann all received zone qualifying times in their events as well.

On the girls’ side, Caitlin Robinson was first in the 200 freestyle and second in the 100 freestyle. Bailey Flood was second in the 50 and 500 freestyle. Natalie Turner had two first-place finishes in the 100 fly and 100 breaststroke. Jorie Turner was second in the 100 fly and Melissa Anstett was second in the 100 backstroke.

The girls’ 200 freestyle relay team also took home first place. That team consists of the Turners, Brittany Barth and Lindsay Best. All the girls received zone qualifying times for their efforts Saturday.

“I think on the whole we did great,” Bratton said. “We had a lot of swimmers in their first meet and they did a great job. Everybody took off some time and that’s what they shoot for, to keep shaving time each week.”


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