The Springbrook Hogs celebrate victory at City Meet Photo Kelly Wood
After a nail-biting 44th Annual Lafayette City Meet, the mighty Springbrook Hogs - with head coach Molly Quinn - continued their decade-long reign as champions. The Hogs beat the second-place LMYA Dolphins by only 41 points this year, after trumping them by nearly 500 points in 2009. The Sun Valley Rays edged out the Rancho Colorados Wahoos by nine points for an unexpected third place finish.
The tight competition in the 7/8 Girls 25-yard freestyle featured powerful Jewel Roemer of Sun Valley edging out teammate Megan McKenna for the win with a time of 15.29. The 7/8 Boys showcased Murphy Baker of Rancho Colorados and Jack Larsen of LMYA in a heated battle for first place. Baker won by 2/100ths of a second with a time of 15.29 and both tied for the High Point Trophy. The freestyle fury peaked with LMYA 9/10 Girls' Audrey Chang. The unstoppable Chang blazed through the 50-yard freestyle to set a meet record of 28.08.
New meet records were also set by many clubs. In the 15-18 Girls 100-yard Breaststroke, Katie Records of LMYA pulled ahead by nearly four seconds with a time of 1:08.27. Also, the Springbrook 15-18 Girls 200-yard Medley Relay Team added to its collection of past meet records. Nora Vance, Samantha Anderson, Kathryn Hill and Brooke Aiello broke a 2003 LMYA record with a time of 1:55.76.
Stellar performances were seen across the board. Brady Aiello of Springbrook swam a personal best to win the 11/12 Boys 50-yard backstroke with 29.00. Megan Schussman of LMYA led the way in the 13/14 Girls 100-Yard IM with 1:04.34. Las Trampas 11/12 Girls' Ying Stroebe stayed ahead to win the 50-yard Butterfly in 29.70. Rancho Colorados won first through fourth places in the 7-8 Boys 25-yard Breaststroke with Nick Kresnak leading the way. Oakwood 7/8 Boy William Birdsong trailed Jack Larsen of LMYA and Cole Barlow of Springbrook for a third place finish in the 25-yard Backstroke.
Sun Valley's unexpected third place was stunning. Its eight-and-unders were particularly successful in both individuals and relays - winning six-of-eight relays. Sun Valley Co-Director Raja Singh said the team is thrilled and believes it is due to some recent changes. Singh said the team is emphasizing individualized, skill-based workouts rather than focusing on age groups this year. "The coaches are able to optimize their practice plans to a narrower range of skills and are more accountable for the kids' progress," said Singh. Singh also explained that the team made the pool lanes shorter so the kids swim shorter distances but do more repetitions. "They become less tired, and therefore have a better chance of executing the drills correctly," continued Singh. Part of their success is surely their exuberant team spirit and those great tie-dyes.
Katie Records of LMYA, swimming 15-18 girls 100 yd breaststroke. She won the event and broke the
City Meet Record and LMYA Team Record Photo Karen Elliott
Brady Aiello, Springbrook, 11/12 yr old High
Point Boy Photo Kelly Wood
Springbrook 15-18 girls Medley relay broke a record and took Outstanding Girls Relay of the meet: Brook
Aiello, Kathryn Hill, Sam Anderson and Nora Vance (all age 15). Photo Kelly Wood
Caroline Lukins-Bozzini, Katie Records, Marc Cavallero & Kelly Cavallero Photo Gint Federas
The tight competition in the 7/8 Girls 25-yard freestyle featured powerful Jewel Roemer of Sun Valley edging out teammate Megan McKenna for the win with a time of 15.29. The 7/8 Boys showcased Murphy Baker of Rancho Colorados and Jack Larsen of LMYA in a heated battle for first place. Baker won by 2/100ths of a second with a time of 15.29 and both tied for the High Point Trophy. The freestyle fury peaked with LMYA 9/10 Girls' Audrey Chang. The unstoppable Chang blazed through the 50-yard freestyle to set a meet record of 28.08. 
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA