Challenger

The Apollo swim team had their last meet of the season on February fourth and fifth in the regional swim meet. Preliminary competition was held on the fourth in which the top twelve swimmers of each event qualified to participate in the finals held on the fifth. Only the top two in each final event would qualify for state. The next fourteen best times in the state are allowed to swim in the state meet.

Ten of the twelve members of the swim team qualified to compete in the finals of the regional competitions. Ian Flener, Alyssa Mayes, Mitch Sharber, and Lauren Freels qualified individually to compete in the finals. The boy and girls qualified for two relays each. The girl relays were the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay consisting of Alyssa Mayes, Lauren Freels, Kourtney Page, and Brehtt Morcz. One of the boys’ relays was the 200 freestyle including Justin Schwartz, Ian Flener, Logan Neal, and Mitch Sharber. The other boys’ relay was the 400 freestyle relay. Members included Mitch Sharber, Wesley Whistle, Ian Flener, and Logan Neal.

Mitch Sharber, a senior, swam the 100 yard freestyle and the 100 yard breast stroke in the finals. He finished ninth overall in both events.

Ian Flener, a freshman, swam the 200 freestyle placing eleventh. He also tied for eighth in the 500 yard freestyle while breaking his own personal time in this event.

Lauren Freels, a freshman, swam the 100 breast stroke and placed twelfth.

Alyssa Mayes, a sophomore, swam the 50 freestyle and the 200 individual medley, while placing fourth in both events. Alyssa is allowed to swim in the state meet because she had one of the top fourteen times in the state. Alyssa will be swimming in both of her individual events.

The relay teams put forward their best foot in their events. The girls’ relay team finished in tenth in both the 200 medley and the 200 freestyle relays. The girls showed tremendous effort in their achievement. The boys’ relay teams recieved eleventh in the 200 yard freestyle relay and ninth in the 400 freestyle.

The swim team’s season ended after four months of vigurous practices. Several members of the team broke their personal records in each event that they swam. Justin Schwartz and Mitch Sharber, the two senior leaders of the team will greatly be missed. Mitch has swum for the swim team for seven years beginning when he was only twelve. This season would be Justin’s first year of competitive swimming. Congratulations to all the achievements and accomplishments made by the swim team.