Back to Archive List Spirits were already high the evening before due to the Pep Rally of unprecedented numbers. Let's give a big thank you to Leslie Culhane who spearheaded the event. The meet against the Orcas couldn't have started any better on Saturday kicking off with a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangle Banner sung by Arya Guinney that almost invoked tears in some of the spectators. She then proceeded to land two best times on the day. As always, the first event was the 8 and under medley relay and our 8 and under Medley Relay Team A (Luke Klopfer, Kimi Wu, Hannah Rose Grant, and Ethan Zener) continued their win-streak.

The big story of the day was the return of our high school swimmers. The 15-18 boys were anchored by Taylor Gamboa and the Patino twins' big brother, Nick. Taylor has been an almost permanent fixture of the Strawberry Seals still holding records in the eight and under age group. Taylor is one of the most animated and exciting swimmers. Even before he steps on the blocks he delights us as he bounces around resembling a prize fighter waiting for the bell to ring. His personality continues as the gun is fired by Eric Zener or Craig Miller and he lunges forward with his signature dive often without goggles or cap. Although he is not built like a stereotypical swimmer, his sheer will and power more than compensate for it as he won the 100 free and 50 butterfly. Nick Patino arrived almost unrecognizable compared to last year as a result of a high and tight buzz cut and about twenty pounds heavier. He showed no growing pains with the age up to 15-18 taking first in all his events and anchoring the relays. Daniel Pulgram also provided admirable service to the team shedding considerable time in all three of his events. Every team in the MSL would be overjoyed to have 2-3 senior boys on their team but the Seals are anchored by not only those mentioned above but also Wyatt Renner, Jack Budish, Demetrius Borge, Trevor Goetz and Jeremy Tsyporin.

On the ladies circuit, the 15-18 girls- provided a lot of fireworks too with one of the most thrilling races as Ali Coopersmith, Kristin Sato, and University of Hawaii bound Nicole O'Dea battled Ms. Cacciatore of the Orcas to a photo finish in the 100 yard free. It almost appeared as if those three were trading first place finishes during the meet. Katherine Takeshita, Shannon Sparks, and Caitlin Firmage also provided solid point contributions throughout the meet giving more support to Nicole Ezcurra, Kerry Norris, Charlotte Rosenfeld, Kamiah Mills, Baylin Vreeland and Mirisa Booth. Maggie Whalen also returned this week for the 13-14 age group. She put down her oars after a very successful year of rowing and provided contributions on relay teams and in individual events. It is great to have the Whalen sisters reunited on the pool deck. Welcome back, Maggie!

Very special congratulations to all our senior swimmers who are graduating: Nicole Ezcurra, Nicole O'Dea, Taylor Gamboa and Wyatt Renner. Which leads to a super Seals thank you to Jesse Tan-Alper who graduated last year, still qualifies as a 15-18 and came back from her first year at Boston University to swim on Saturday! Now that's a Seal!!

While the return of the high schoolers was a feature presentation, the junior age groups were by no means upstaged. The highly spirited Leo Thomas roared on the blocks like "Braveheart" before battle. Laced with adrenalin, Leo won his 50-free heat in dramatic fashion taking a couple seconds off his best time. Races with Nicky Chan always seem to keep us on our seats and the Orca meet was not an exception. He was just touched out by an Orca in the backstroke, but returned the favor in the breaststroke. Froggers Mara Pulgram and Alexa Zener continued to show their breaststroke skills. Fantastic finishes were almost expected in the 9-10 girls heats featuring some of our former eight and under superstars that are now dealing with flip-turn filled races. Christine Watridge barely touched out CoCo Lemberg. Hayley Book and Gemma Calandra followed in a subsequent heat pushing each other to a one-two finish in their heat. It was great to see the always beaming Hayley Book return to the blocks after scratching last week due to illness. Zoey Smith and Mckenzie Cooke captured the top two spots in butterfly and eclipse the Q-time in the process. The 9-10 boys also kept it interesting as Curtis Klopfer, Jimmy Thomas, and Alex Mortimer swept the butterfly. Alex and Zach Glenn also dominated the backstroke. Veronika Miller and Olivia Cooke had been toying with Q times in the previous weeks and broke through against the Orcas. Olivia captured Qs in back and freestyle. Veronika also beat the backstroke Q time. First year swimmer, Jackson Culhane had a very productive day on Saturday both in the water and on the diamond. He won his freestyle heat, then left to belt a homerun in a rookie minors' game, and returned to land a Q time.

Family matters

One observation worth noting is that it seems that family members feed off each other in the pool during the swim meets.

The Curtin-Savala boys, Anton and Mateo posted great days. Anton crushed his butterfly time by almost thirteen seconds and has become a reliable source for points in the individual events and 8 and under relays. Big brother, Mateo often appears very casual as he approaches the blocks, but he is all business when he hits the water. He was a real standout performer in the 9-10 boys age group last year and has quickly transitioned to the 11-12 age group this year providing valuable points Saturday was a great day for Mateo as he achieved a Q time in his bread and butter stroke, butterfly and landed three best times.
Sibling rivalry is a positive motivator in the Takeshita household as both Alex and Katherine took considerable time off their events, winning their respective heats in breaststroke, and capturing Q times.
The Towle family should also be celebrating. Grace Towle lived up to her first name as she often appears to glide effortlessly through the water. She captured three best times and winning heats in the process. Natalie has been one of the biggest surprises of the season. She is a game-day type of performer. Often easy going during the week, but doesn't mess around come the day of the meet. She has steadily improved in the freestyle flirting with Q times and elevated to a new level on her butterfly cutting almost fourteen seconds off only hundreds of a second from that Q time. While she and powerful Jada Andrews are already three year veterans, both will continue to wreak havoc against MSL competitors next year in the 8 and under age group.
The O'Haires and Pembertons, newcomers to the Seals, also had great days. Ian O'Haire had a breakout performance in both the backstroke and breast giving Anna Tarka much needed depth for the 8 and under boys. His sister, Lucy, also saw improvement in the IM and Free. Georgia Pemberton captured three best times likely motivated by her always energetic parents and brother, Michael.

Emerging superstars

Coach Tarka was already spoiled with an almost embarrassing riches of fast 8 and under girls and many more are emerging to take over as several graduate next year to flip-turn events. Sophie Klein swam a wonderful free-style shedding almost ten seconds. Six year old sensation, Shannon Watridge looked like a mini version of her sister Christine swimming in the grueling Individual Medley winning her heat with an impressive time of 2:15. Five year old phenom, Emma Dignan also showed a lot of promise in freestyle and on her back.

Happy birthday and best wishes

Dakota Juarez, Taylor Bontz, and Olivia White celebrated birthdays this week and received best times as presents. The birthday gifts apparently extended to the brothers as Dakota's brother, Hunter, and Taylor's brother Cooper also had good days. Dakota took almost ten seconds off her backstroke. Cooper Bontz swam an exceptional freestyle leg in the medley relay overcoming a large Orca lead and securing a third place finish for team B and went under 33 seconds on his free style.
The always improving Josh Lovejoy and Collin Hackett age up this week to 11-12 boys. Before our meet against the Waves, make sure to wish a Happy Birthday to Alison Miller, Kiana Lowry, Ron Jackson, Sara Slain, Olivia Forshan, Joe Russell, Sabrina Haechler, and Chloe Carney.
One of the few times mentioned last, but definitely not least, last years' Most Outstanding Swimmer, Annie Whalen, ages up to 11-12 next week providing space for other swimmers in Lane 4. Thanks for all the memories in 9-10 and good luck with 11-12. Trinity Doheny and Sabrina Haechler look ready and willing to step in to fill the gap in the Individual Medley and Backstroke.

Special recognition to some of our volunteers

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Seals organization. The Takeshitas, Chans, and Firmages are the backbone on race day. You never know what Craig Dykman will say or play at the meets. Bob Savala stepped in (literally) nicely organizing the trailer in Jamie's absence. Kathleen Mortimer also filled a huge void in Randy Sparks absence as Head Referee. A lot of parents provided support at the pep rally especially Rebecca Grant, Suzy Hendrics, Chris Pemberton, Kathy Mcleod, Stacy Ciauri, Thom Calandra, Kelly Haechler, and Annika Miller. The swimmers also helped a clean up; most notably was Sean Haechler who was a chair stacking machine.