New Mexico Swimmers at Winter Junior Nationals Swim Meet in Austin, Texas, Jamin Harlan (Albuquerque), Ethan Manske (Santa Fe), Orion Henderson and Kelly Wetteland (Los Alamos). Photo by Coach Lee Taylor, Charger Aquatics 

Orion Henderson prepares to win his heat in the 100 freestyle (lane 8). Photo by Karen Henderson

SPORTS News:

Los Alamos High School seniors Kelly Wetteland and Orion Henderson were two of four swimmers representing New Mexico last week at the Winter Junior National Swim Meet in Austin, Texas.

Wetteland and Henderson swim for Beast Aquatics and are coached by Doug Forbes. Joining them are Ethan Manske of Charger Aquatics, Santa Fe Branch and Jamin Harlan of Vipers of Albuquerque Swim Team.

Notable accomplishments included Wetteland setting a new New Mexico state record in the 17&18 year old 200 yard breaststroke with a time of 2:14.48. Henderson produced the ninth fastest swim of the meet in the 400 yard individual medley, posting a time of 3:52.84.

Both Wetteland and Henderson are members of the Topper swim team. Wetteland has committed to swim at the Naval Academy and Henderson at the University of Arizona next fall. Ethan Manske has committed to swim at Kenyon College and Jamin Harlan at West Virginia University.

The Winter Junior Nationals is the highest level of swim competition for swimmers 18 years old and younger. This year nearly 1,000 swimmers competed. USA Swimming COVID protocols required that every participant had a negative test.

Kelly Wetteland (gray cap) on the way to winning her prelim heat in the 200 yard breaststroke cheered on by Orion Henderson and Coach Doug Forbes. Photo by Jen Wetteland