Mountain Club had 23 swimmers participating in this meet with four relays. The club earned 672.50 points, and finished in second place. The first place was Charger Aquatics, which had 991.50 points with 77 swimmers. Courtesy photo

For the 8 & under boys division, Captain David Robel (8yr) earned 60 points, and led his teammates Owen Herring (7yr), Logan Haigh (8yr), and Leandre Capolungo (6yr) in two relay races, which placed first for 100IM relay. Courtesy photo

SPORTS News:

Mountain Club Coach Anna Zhang would thanks parents for supporting swimmers throughout the 2021-2022 season.

“Our swimmers couldn’t do this without their parents help!,” Coach Zhang said. “The swimmers in the club worked hard for the last five months, and their accomplishments should be applauded!”

The Beginning Group

The Club had a few kids joining the club during the season, welcome! The coach hoped the club had provided a positive environment to enhance their learning experience. Most newcomers started to swim independently, and are ready to learn more basic skills.

Some of the swimmers in this group will start competition this summer, and some will be moved to the  Advanced Group for more adventure after the spring break.

Advanced Group 

Swimmers in this group were motivated, participated in several swim meets, and got the official times needed to qualify for two New Mexico Championship meets:

• The 2022 NM Swimming Short Course B Championship held in Los Alamos at Larry R Walkup Aquatic Center from Feb. 26 to Feb. 27.
• Mountain Club had 23 swimmers participating in this meet with four relays. The club earned 672.50 points and finished second. Charger Aquatics finished first with 991.50 points and 77 swimmers.

The five captains of the Mountain Club for this meet led their teams, and performed very well during the competition:

• For the mixed 11-12 girls and boys division, the Captain Shilo Bartram (12yr) earned 26.50 points, and led her teammates Damian Scammell (11yr) and Natan Svyatsky (11yr), not only competed their own events, but also encouraged our younger teammates during the meet. 
• For the 10 & under boys division, the Captain Javier Cuesta (10yr) earned 68 points, and led his teammates Ethan Herring (10yr), Smieon Capolungo (10yr), Jimmy Haroz (9yr), Benji Minko (9yr), and Christopher Torres (9yr) raced two relays, which placed first for 200IM relay and second for 200Free relay.
• For the 10 & under girls division, the Captain Leia Lin (9yr) earned 49 points, and led her teammates Rachel Bowlan (10yr), Abby Gellis (10yr), Sequoya Ke (9yr), and Aniuta Dziuba (9yr) raced two relays, which placed the third for 200IM relay and second for 200Free relay.
• For the 8 & under boys division, the Captain David Robel (8yr) earned 60 points, and led his teammates Owen Herring (7yr), Logan Haigh (8yr), and Leandre Capolungo (6yr) raced two relays, which placed first for 100IM relay. The team touched the wall first for 100Free relay, but was disqualified due to a mistake by the coach. Sorry, boys!
• For the 8 & under girls division, the Captain Alice Nam (8yr) earned 63 points, and led his teammates Charlie Dixon (8yr), Melia Arbuckle (8yr), Kristy Torres (8yr), and Eleanora Minko (6yr) raced two relays, which placed first for both 100IM relay and 100Free relay. 

Combined, swimmers of the Club were awarded 20 individual First place, 19 Second Place, 18 Third Place, 14 the Fourth Place, 5 the Fifth Place, 11 the Sixth Place, 6 the Seventh Place, and 6 the Eighth Place.

During this meet, Javier C, the son of Isabel Cuesta and Luis Chacon, picked up the 100Free qualify time for the New Mexico 10 & under boys division. Rachel Bowlan, daughter of Pamela and John Bowlan, had the 50Back qualify time for the New Mexico 10 & under girls division.

Jimmy Haroz, son of Erik and Ellaine Haroz, made the most improvement this season.

The 2022 New Mexico Short Course State Championship held at Albuquerque Academy Natatorium from March 3 to March 6:

Mountain Club had 5 qualified swimmers participating in this meet without any relay events. They earned 155 points through their individual events.

Emilie (10 yr), the daughter of Jerome and Hajnalka Daligault, led this team by finishing 45 points and tied the third place for an individual high point. Together with her teammates, Toma Daligault (12yr), Sonya Pakin (11yr), Magnus Leitner (10yr), and Justin Lei (9yr), these five swimmers were awarded 2 medals for the First Place, 9 medals for the Second Place, 3 medals for the Third Place, 2 medals for the Fourth Place, 8 medals for the Fifth Place, 3 medals for the Sixth Place, 2 medals for the Seventh Place, and 1 medal for the Eighth Place.

“After enjoying these wonderful achievements, we MUST put this achievement on the side and start our journey from zero tomorrow. If we don’t keep moving forward, someone will pass us.” Coach Zhang said. “I sincerely thank parents for their trust, giving me the opportunity to coach these wonderful swimmers.”

Mountain Club had 5 qualified swimmers participating in this meet without any relay events. They earned 155 points through their individual events. Courtesy photo

Combined, swimmers of the Club were awarded 20 individual First Place, 19 Second Place, 18 Third Place, 14 Fourth Place, 5 Fifth Place, 11 Sixth Place, 6 Seventh Place, and 6 Eighth Place. Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo