After a quality showing at the Western Slope Championships, the Durango Swim Club took four swimmers to the State Long Course meet last Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Grand Junction.
Haley Benjamin, Mira Joyner, Brooke Kniffin and Anne Mummery participated for the local squad in the final meet of the summer.
While nobody came home with a state championship, DSC head coach Suzanne Schieltz was pleased with the output and performances.
“Although we were a small contingent, we raced well,” Schieltz said in an email to The Durango Herald. “These girls have spent a lot of time in the water this year, and they all have high expectations of themselves.”
Benjamin, who recently turned 13 years old, participated in the 400-meter individual medley, the 200 IM, the 200 freestyle, the 400 freestyle, the 800 freestyle, the 1,500 freestyle and the 200 butterfly. She placed 12th in the 400 IM, 10th in the 1,500 free, eighth in the 800 freestyle and eighth in the 400 free.
“She blew my expectations out of the water,” Schieltz said.
Kniffin, a state qualifier for Durango High School this year, swam the 100 and 200 backstroke and 50 free. She placed third in the 100 back in 1 minute, 9.81 seconds to go with a seventh-place finish in the 200 backstroke.
“Brooke really shines in meets. She has the best attitude and stands with poise and confidence even when she is nervous,” Schieltz said.
Mummery, also coming off a strong state-qualifying season at DHS, participated in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle races along with the 100 and 200 backstroke. She recorded a personal-best 2:22.82 in the 200 freestyle and finished 14th overall in the 100 back.
“Anne has a solid foundation of swimming. She has put in some serious base yardage, which will help her in the long run,” her summer coach said.
Joyner, also 13, qualified in the 100 backstroke, although a spot of bad luck after slipping on the starting block cost her a spot in the consolation heat.
“This was a great way to wrap up our season, and I look forward to the next year for our club and the great potential we have for a strong year,” Schieltz said.
The Durango Swim Club will return for the fall/winter season Sept. 3. For more information or to join, contact Schieltz at 779-8643 or at suzanneschieltz@hotmail.com.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
Durango swimmers impressive at Western Slope Championships
The Durango Swim Club took 17 swimmers to the Western Slope Championships in Grand Junction on July 19-21 and came away with plenty of quality finishes and state-qualifying times.
Haley Benjamin, 12, added three state times in the 100-meter freestyle, 200 backstroke and 200 butterfly. Brooke Kniffin, 17, chipped in a state time in the 200 backstroke, as did Anne Mummery, 14, in the 200 free and Josh Miller, 17, in the 1,500 free.
Miles Bronson, 11, turned in what head coach Suzanne Schieltz called his “best performance of the season,” turning in personal bests in the 100 backstroke, 200 freestyle, 50 freestyle and 50 backstroke.
Steevie Delio, 12, turned in personal bests in the 100 and 200 backstroke, the 200 individual medley and just missed the state time in the 50 butterfly.
“She has put in her time and deserves to swim fast,” Schieltz said in an email to The Durango Herald.
Bryn Joyner, 16, had best times in five events: the 100 free, 200 free, 100 butterfly, 200 individual medley and 50 free. Her younger sister, Mira (13), was third in the 200 IM, second in the 100 breaststroke and won the 100 backstroke event.
Angela McManus, 9, topped her best times in the 100 free, 200 free, 100 back and 100 breaststroke, while Ben Miller, 15, was fourth in the 400 free, eigthth in the 100 butterfly and ninth in the 200 IM.
“He has a strong work ethic and a great attitude, and in a year or two, he will be incredible,” Schieltz said of Miller.
Tommy Pannell, 15, had best times in all of his events, which were the 100, 200 and 400 free, the 100 back, 100 breaststroke and 200 IM. Quinn Schmidt, 10, added a fourth in the 200 free and third in the 200 IM.
And, as an added bit of intrigue, solo swimmer Robert Stafford, 54, trained with the team for two weeks in order to swim the 1,500 freestyle at the Colorado Mesa pool simply for the experience.
“He was extremely happy with his time, and there were a lot of people at the meet impressed that he swam,” Schieltz said.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
