August 8, 2005

Local kids make a splash

By Ken Lotich
Times Intern

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, local kids from San Jose swim teams jumped into the pool at the Aquatic Center of San Jose State University. Many were looking to create some personal best times but ended up with more at the Valley Aquatic League Championships.

The Valley Aquatic League Championships, held on July 23, featured some of the top youth swimming teams in San Jose.

In attendance were the Encore Dolphins, the Los Gatos Aquatics, the Los Ranchitos Sharks, the Pala Rancho Flying Fish and the Westgate Gators.

In the end, seven meet records were topped. In the 15- to 18-year-old girls 200-medley relay, the Gators set a new best meet time of 2:05.28. The previous best was set by the Aquatics in 2004 with 2:06.80.

The Gators’ Amanda Mikeelsson set a new 15- to 18-year-old girls’ 100-yard individual medley record with a time of 1:05.71. Mikeelsson broke her own record, which was 1:06.04 in 2004.

Catelynn Clarkson flew down the lane for the Flying Fish in the 13- to 14-year-old girls 50-yard breast stroke, with a time of 35.17. The previous top time was set by Jennifer Gamurot of the Flying Fish in 2004 with a time of 35.46.

On the guys’ side, John Floersch of the Flying Fish set a new meet record in the boys’ 50-yard freestyle, with a time of 22.02. Nathan Williams, also of the Flying Fish, set the previous best time of 22.30 in 2002.

In the 6 and under girls’ 100-yard freestyle relay, the Aquatics set a new record with a time of 1:23.89. The previous top feat was held in 1996 by Los Ranchitos with a mark of 1:31.56.

In the second to the last race, the Gators set a new record in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:48.19.

One of the biggest accomplishments of the day came from 6-year-old Aubrey Sherry, who shattered a record from 1992 in the 6 years old and under 25-yard freestyle race with a time of 18.84. The previous record was held by Nazaneen Pouya, with a time of 19.68.

Shattering the old record was quite a feat for Aubrey, said her mother, Brigid.

“She’s a really incredible athlete,” Brigid said. “We’re so blessed and amazed at how good of an athlete she is.”

Aubrey, who just started swimming in May, has some big shoes to fill. Her dad, Steve, participated in the Alcatraz Swim a few years ago, taking 32nd place against nearly 500 competitors. Steve formerly swam at Fresno State University, which competes at the Division I level.

Until the next competition, young Aubrey will continue to practice at Los Gatos Swim & Racquet Club, located at 14700 Oka Road in Los Gatos. For more information on the club, call (408) 356-2136 or visit www.lgsrc.com.