LAMORINDA WEEKLY | FAST Swims in Florida


Top row, from left: coaches Sophie and Kevin Lai, Sarah Hamilton, Sophia Kosturos, Margaux McDonald, Lizzy Folmer, Emily Hamilton, Ashleen O'Brien and Max Cruz; bottom row: Alec Baker, Richard Zhang, Will Nagle and Beck Jurasius Photos provided

Orinda Aquatics was well represented at the recent NASA Showcase Classic held April 7-12 in Clearwater, Fla. Considered one of the fastest 14 and under meets of the year, the competition attracted over 950 swimmers from 94 teams across the country. The Junior group swimmers Alec Baker, Max Cruz, Alexis Fok, Lizzy Follmer, Emily Hamilton, Sarah Hamilton, Beck Jurasius, Sophia Kosturos, Margaux McDonald, Will Nagle, Ashleen O'Brien and Richard Zhang represented Orinda Aquatics incredibly well and enjoyed some fast swimming in the hot Florida sun. Highlights of the meet included individual event victories from Ashleen O'Brien (50 Fly, 100 Fly, 200 Fly, 50 Free), Will Nagle (200 Free) plus 46 top 10 finalists overall. In addition, the girls 13/14 200 medley relay of Ashleen O'Brien, Margaux McDonald, Sarah Hamilton and Sophia Kosturos set a new meet record with a time of 1:46.71 and the boys 13/14 400 free relay of Alec Baker, Beck Jurasius, Max Cruz and Richard Zhang set a new Pacific swimming record with a time of 3:16.36. Ashleen O'Brien was named the most outstanding swimmer of the meet for the 14-year-old girls, setting two individual meet records along the way.