Back to Archive List The Strawberry Seals made the trek up to Indian Valley College for a face-off with the yellow and black clad Novato Riptide. An away meet with Novato is always enjoyable with arguably one of the best venues in the MSL with an eight lane format and ample space on both the pool deck and the adjacent field. The newer swimmers were introduced to the "Big Pool," but seemed to make the adjustments quickly during the warm ups as the sound system surprisingly played a throwback song from REO Speedwagon. I guess the DJ was taking a page from Craig Dykman. In addition to the music, the Novato Swim Community provided wonderful hospitality to the team. The events moved with the precision of a Swiss Time Piece and the tri-tip sandwiches at the concessions stand were delicious!!

Welcome to the A Team
For you kids, the A Team was a popular action series in the 1980s with former military personnel who would help those in need. The most memorable character was BA Barackus played by Mr T. Mr. T would say, "I pity the foo (not a typo, there was no "l" when he said it!) who doesn't respect the Strawberry Seals." Several swimmers captured their first all-star times for the year. Colin Drechsel backstroked his way onto the A Team. Allison Curtis had an action packed day doubling up on All-Star Pins in backstroke and breaststroke and also finishing with 3 best times. Her 15-18 teammates, Nicole Ezcurra and Trevor Goetz joined her qualifying in butterfly and backstroke, respectively. Ironically, the conversion van driven by the A-Team in the 80's action series was red and black.

Little "E" is one Fly Guy
Ethan Zener seems to be a permanent fixture in the meet wrap up because every week he is doing something "E"xceptional meriting an honorable mention. This week, he outdid himself in the butterfly shedding over six seconds as his buddy Luke Klopfer pushed alongside him. Another "E" in the 8 and under boys, Eddie Schulz has made progress weekly. Eddie swam his fastest backstroke and breaststroke this week. Other notable butterfly performances were Rachel Ahn and Skylar Calandra who lowered their best time by almost fifteen seconds and five seconds, respectively. For the girls, Elena Dworak, Emily Berlinger, Emilia Michel, and Emilie Hofele all swam faster backstrokes in Novato. Estelle Boo went quicker in the fly and won her heat in the process.

IM, We are the Strawberry Seals
Our brave under ten swimmers do not avoid the demanding Individual Medley; in fact, they are eager to take on the event. There were plenty of eight and under and 9-10 girls taking the four stroke plunge. Hannah Rose Grant finally jumped over the high bar she set herself in the time trials swimming almost three seconds faster and winning her heat. Her friends, Jada Andrews, Olivia Cooke, and Nora Reidinger joined her in the heat. Nora had the largest improvement swimming seven seconds faster. The party continued into the second heat with four more Seals. Kalia Firmage, Veronika Miller, and Meya Saenz Zagar joined Shannon Watridge, now a regular in the event, for the 100 meter race this week. Birthday boy Jackson Culhane led the Seals 8 and under boys finishing almost three seconds faster than his previous best.

In the 9-10 girls, Zoey Smith, Trinity Dohoney, Sabrina Haechler, and Mara Pulgram routinely swim effectively in the Individual Medley, but Kate Miekley was the real story this week taking over eleven seconds of the IM and also cutting time in the free-style. Sofia Kashefi won her heat in the IM by taking almost six seconds off her personal best Shayna Bomfim-Finkel put some pressure on her during the race and improved her time as well. Coco Miya Lemberg also swam her fastest IM of the year. Madeline Hess followed up her three best times performance last week with a five second improvement in the IM and further lowered her backstroke time.

Nicky Chan finished first and landed an All-star time for the 11-12 boys and Riley Sikes followed up with a similar performance in the 13-14 boys. It almost seems to be a misprint to see Jack Sandage's time which was thirty three seconds faster than the previous post. Another 13-14 boy who had a fantastic day was Dillon Schow who finished with three best times. Nicholas Farr carried the torch for the 15-18 boys in the Individual Medley improving by eight seconds.

The Outstanding Olivias
There may be two "O"s in Novato, but Strawberry literally has a handful of Olivias. Olivia Cooke spun her arms faster than the Tazmanian Devil in backstroke chipping away at her already impressive time. Olivia also "cooke"d on her Individual Medley taking another three seconds off. The 9-10 girls have a pair of Olivias. Olivia Harband had a good day with two best times in Breaststroke and Freestyle and Olivia White improved her butterfly by almost three seconds. Olivia White's sister Gwen also had a good day beating her best freestyle time. Olivia Forshan played a big role for the 11-12 age group scoring points in her butterfly and performing well in the Individual Medley. She has been very reliable in relays during the year as well. The Larocca's were rocking this week led by Olivia Larocca who jammed in the fly beating her personal best by six seconds. Yvonne Larocca followed her big sister's lead improving in breaststroke and butterfly. She took first in her breaststroke heat and added points in freestyle.

"Q" before "U"
Several swimmers flirted with Q times this week that are worth mentioning including Gracie Durham, Wyatt Renner, Mateo Curtin Savala, and Leo Thomas. Gracie has quietly built up to a really good year for her. She won her freestyle heat and swam the fastest Seals breaststroke this week for the 9-10 girls; conversely, the always energetic and animated Leo Thomas, aka Braveheart, just missed in Butterfly and Freestyle.

ZOINKS!!
Shaggy must have given Madison Norris, aka Scooby, her Scooby snacks this week as she finished with three best times and won her butterfly heat along the way.

Built Ford Tough
The "greatest show in H2O" are the 15-18 girls' events which are always nail biters. Riley Ford repeated a three blue ribbon performance taking first in the freestyle, butterfly, and Individual Medley, but Ali Coopersmith and Kristen Sato did not surrender fighting valiantly to the wall. Caitlin Firmage had a huge day winning the breaststroke and swimming to a "Q" time in backstroke. Caitlin must have been inspired by her sister, Michaela, who won in the earlier 11-12 breaststroke. Cousin Kalia Firmage got into the act as well winning her IM heat and shedding twenty seconds off her previous best time in the process.

Flying Solo
A perfect contrast to the 15-18 girls photo finishes was Ian O'Haire's solo flight in butterfly which was equally entertaining. Some swimmers coast when they are just chasing the clock, but Ian pushed himself to his limit destroying his previous best by fifteen seconds. Coach Tarka beamed with pride when asked about this first year Seal's performance. Coach Steve Marais, a former breaststroker, probably took pride in Jake Buxton's seventeen second improvement in the stroke.

Playing with the Queen of Hearts
Maya Homsy King is making a case to be the queen of three best times for the 9-10 girls, but she is getting stiff competition from Haley Book and Jasmine Fairchild along the way. Maya Homsy King reduced her IM and Butterfly personal records by nine seconds. Hannah Berg and Jack Barbar also finished with three best times for the 9-10 age group.

The Comeback Kid
Zack Glenn is making a habit of taking over opponents in his freestyle leg of the 9-10 medley relay. He also is showing improvement every week. Annie Whalen quickly transitioned to the 11-12 group shoring up the freestyle relay team. She passed by the leading Novato swimmer in the third leg to give a lead to the fashionably fast Armani Roots who anchored the winning team.

The Russell's Hustle
Joseph Russell surged in Novato with three best times. His largest improvement was in Butterfly as was Veronica's, his sister, who reduced her time by over 22 seconds. They obviously are chips off the old block as their dad, Mike, is one of the hardest workers at closing time and set up. The other pair of Russells, Tom and Kate Russell, were key point contributors in their events. Tom won his freestyle heat. Everybody make sure to wish Kate a happy birthday next weekend.

Mining for Gold
Several of the newer swimmers have been chipping away at their times positioning themselves for future Q times. Talia Tarrant and Maia Asiano have transformed into very solid swimmers in very little time. Young Alexa Karman and cheery Mikala Krag seem to make progress every week. Sisters, Arista and Adrina Andrews and Sabrina and Mia Ciauri are also steadily improving. Birthday Mia took considerable time off her backstroke as did Michael Pemberton.

Everybody is a Winner in Novato
The top finishers may be able to take pride in finishing first, scoring points or landing Q times, but may be a little jealous of the unique sixth, seventh, and eighth place ribbons which come in Carolina blue, burnt orange, and lavender.

Gone, but Not Forgotten
Emre Kor swam his last race as a Strawberry Seal this year as he moving to the heart of Dixie Auburn, Alabama also known as the Loveliest Village on the Plains. WAR EAGLE! Before leaving, Emre lowered his freestyle time to under 26 seconds. Christina Watridge will also be out of the pool for a while as she recovers from hand surgery. She will likely be cheering her friends and little sister Shannon in the following weeks. Thanks Christina for all your hard work this year and get well soon. We look forward to you leading the 9-10 girls next year.

The Legends of Sleepy Hollow
The word, "legend" should not be used lightly, but definitely applies to the Sleepy Hollow Sea Lions. Coach Mark Anderson runs an excellent program in San Anselmo which has led to a virtual dynasty of the MSL constantly repeating as the Champions. The Sea Lions will provide stiff competition, but our Strawberry Seals will not roll over for anyone. Coaches Anna Tarka, Steve Marais, Marta Sato, and Nick Wooters will have the Seals prepared to swim even faster next week.