For the last couple of years, Carl Sallee has tried in vain to break his mom’s mark in the pool in the 200-yard butterfly.

To do that, the 17-year-old son of Cece and Scott Sallee had to break 2 minutes, 10 seconds.

On Dec. 2-4 at the prestigious four-state High Desert Classic in Albuquerque, the Durango High School senior did just that: “I am so happy I went under 2:10,” he said in a news release to The Durango Herald.

Sallee swam a personal best 2:09.18 to win the event, and he swam personal bests in the 100 backstroke and 200 individual medley.

Sallee’s swim was one of several impressive performances in the pool from the Durango Swim Club at the invitational.

“This is always a great meet for our group to go to a competition at a much higher level, and it raises the bar for our swimmers,” DSC coach Suzanne Schieltz said.

At the High Desert Classic, the DSC swam against teams from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. Individuals had to qualify for the eight-person finals through preliminary swims.

Anne Mummery, the 13-year-old daughter of John and Mary Mummery, “has been dealing with some shoulder pain this season, but it really hasn’t slowed her down,” Schieltz said of Mummery, who qualified for five finals.

Mummery finished fourth in the 200 back, fifth in the 100 free with a personal best 59.05 and eighth in the 200 free, 100 back and 50 free.

Casey Hamilton, the 11-year-old son of Bobbie and Clayton Hamilton, “once again shined at the big meet like he always does,” Schieltz said. “Casey really thrives on competition and gets very excited for the big meets.”

Hamilton finished fourth in the 100 back in 1:07.33 and fourth in the 50 back. He finished seventh in the 100 freestyle and eighth in the 500 fre in 6:11, 15 seconds better than his previous best.

Jesse Rubenstein also qualified for the finals in four events.

Rubenstein, the 15-year-old son of Jay and Sarah Rubenstein, placed fifth in the 500 free and sixth in the 100 free, 200 fly and 50 free.

Josh Miller, the 15-year-old son of Debbie and Rich Miller, “had an absolutely amazing meet,” Schieltz said. “I was really impressed with the way Josh stepped up.”

Miller finished sixth in the 400 IM, dropping 18 seconds off his personal best; he finished eighth in the 100 breaststroke; he finished eighth in the 200 breast; and he swam a personal best in the 200 IM.

Elli Earl, the 13-year-old daughter of Jim and SueB Earl, finished fifth in the 100 breast. She also swam personal bests in the 200 IM, 200 free and 200 breast.

Haley Benjamin, the 11-year-old daughter of Arin and Gwen Benjamin, “is still very new to swimming but is improving by leaps and bounds.” She swam personal bests in the 100 back, 100 free, 50 back, 50 fly and 50 free.

Matt Erickson, 17, son of Cindy and Mark Erickson, swam a “great” 100 back, the DHS senior’s coach said, and dropped three seconds off his personal best in the 200 free with a 2:01.5.

Mira Joyner, 11, daughter of Shalley Parmenter and Todd Joyner, said, “I always swim fast at this meet,” then she turned in good swims in the 100 IM, 50 breast and 100 breast.

“Her breaststroke really has come a long way,” Schieltz said. “In the end, I think she will turn into a great individual medley swimmer.”

The DSC, which hosts tryouts from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Monday and Thursday at the Durango Community Recreation Center, will host a dual Jan. 21 at its home pool.

heraldsports@durangoherald.com