Courtesy photo- The Hawthorne Stingrays swim team competed at its first meet of the season in Yerington on Saturday.

Courtesy photo-
The Hawthorne Stingrays swim team competed at its first meet of the season in Yerington on Saturday.

Nearly 20 swimmers participated in the first meet of the season at the Yerington Swimming Pool on Saturday, June 11. Two weeks of practice and longer training sessions paid off for the Hawthorne team. Coach Jim Bennett has arranged for earlier practices (4:30 p.m.) and has been working hard with the swimmers.

Competing in the 7-8 category was Ginger Pritchard; Girls 9-10: Megan Dragon; Boys 11-12: Andre White; Girls 11-12: Sofia Castillo-Trujillo, Farrah Bryant, Jovie Riccio, Ryann Nelms, Naliyah Jenkins and Aalijah Dancer; Girls 13-14: Madisyn Carlson and Erika Lightfoot; Boys 13-14: Miles King and David Nichols; Boys 15-18: Dylan Crittendan, Michael Wadlow, Damien Montoya and Tyler Arson; Girls 15-18: Trinity Mitchell and Madeline Bennett.

In addition to several swimmers competing for the first time ever, the team’s veteran swimmers proved that they were a force to be reckoned with. Dylan Crittenden placed in the top three in every event, winning the coveted Individual Medley. Damien Montoya and Michael Wadlow also placed in the top three with new swimmer Tyler Arson rounding out the field. Madaline Bennett placed in the top three in most events with Trinity Mitchell placing third in the 50 meter breast. Sofia Castillo-Trujillo placed in the top three in the large field of 11-12 year old girls with the remaining team members finishing strong. Miles King and David Nichols came in second and third in the 50 meter backstroke; Miles was second in the Individual Medley. Andre White took first in the 50 meter breast stroke and all of Hawthorne’s relay teams placed in the top three.

Each swimmer is encouraged to establish personal best times in their races and strive to surpass those times. In addition, new swimmers become a part of the team immediately and experience the thrill of the meet. The next meet is scheduled for Lovelock on Saturday, however pool equipment problems had their closed the pool on Monday. Hawthorne is scheduled to hold the medal meet on Saturday, June 25 beginning at 8 a.m.

Volunteers and spectators are needed, please contact Kathy Trujillo, Coordinator/Coach at 316-0388 if you have any questions.