MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Iwakuni Tsunami swim team and the Sasebo Riptides competed against each other in a swim meet at the IronWorks Gym indoor pool here Nov. 20.
Competitors were divided into two age groups to compete in five events, 8-10 and 11 and older.
Events included a 50-meter freestyle, 50-meter breaststroke, 50-meter backstroke,
50-meter butterfly and 100-meter freestyle.
First, second and third place medals were awarded to winners of each race. An additional medal was also awarded to each participant.
Anna Hodges, 14, of Sasebo, placed first in each race for her division with a time of 29.19 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle, 42.31 seconds in the 50-meter breaststroke, 39.28 seconds in the 50-meter backstroke, 35.75 seconds in the 50-meter butterfly and 1:11.75 minutes in the 100-meter freestyle.
Adam Brownlee, 13, of Sasebo, placed second in the 50-meter freestyle race with a time of 34.04 seconds.
Madison Beyers, 14, of Iwakuni, placed second in four events with a time of 47.61 seconds in the 50-meter breaststroke, 42.44 seconds in the 50-meter backstroke, 43.97 seconds in the 50-meter butterfly, and 1:20.35 minutes in the 100-meter freestyle Beyers placed third in the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 34.06 seconds.
Uriah Johnson, 14, of Sasebo, placed third in the 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 50.93 seconds.
Emma Peterson, 13, of Iwakuni, placed third with a time of 44.50 seconds in the 50-meter backstroke, 46.19 seconds in the 50-meter butterfly and 1:22.28 minutes in the 100-meter freestyle.
Elizabeth Brownlee, 9, of Sasebo, placed first in each race for the 8-10 age division with a time of 46.22 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle, 1:07.63 minutes in the 50-meter breaststroke, 55.34 seconds in the 50-meter backstroke, 1:08.53 minutes in the 50-meter butterfly and 1:55.78 minutes in the 100-meter freestyle.
Elizabeth Brownlee was decorated with five first place and two participation medals overall.
She said the swim meet was her first swim meet and she loves swimming on the team with all of her friends and practicing to get better.
Dylan Gornto, 10, of Iwakuni, placed second with a time of 47.99 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle, 1:08.76 minutes in the 50-meter breaststroke, 1:14.27 minutes in the 50-meter butterfly and 1:58.36 minutes in the 100-meter freestyle.
Sabrina Herritt, 9, of Iwakuni, placed second with a time of 1:04.59 minutes in the 50-meter backstroke and third with a time of 50.15 seconds in the 50 meter freestyle and 1:15.60 in the 50-meter breaststroke.
William Rudolph, 9, of Iwakuni, placed third with a time of 1:06.59 minutes in the 50-meter backstroke.
Marley Keasler, 8, of Iwkauni, placed third with a time of 1:16.43 minutes in the 50-meter butterfly and 2.07.91 minutes in the 100-meter freestyle.
Cal Rastall, Sasebo Riptides coach, said he was impressed with the performance of each swimmer.
“All of our kids have never swum in a pool this big so this is all pretty new to them,” said Rastall. “For some of the kids, this is their first time on a swim team.”
The swim meet was the second time the Iwakuni Tsunami swim team and the Sasebo Riptides had the opportunity to compete against each other.
The bases alternate venues to give the kids a chance to compete. Last year, Iwakuni traveled to Sasebo to compete.
“It’s about building a relationship between our base and Sasebo’s base with our youth by competing in swim meets,” said Jason McDonough, Iwakuni Tsunami coach. “It’s more of a friendly swim meet than a competition because everybody wins something.”
McDonough said he encourages more children participate in the swim team.
“It’s really fun. We do this on a volunteer basis because we love swimming and we love to pass on the love of the sport,” said Rastall.
For more information about the Iwakuni Tsunami swim team or how to get involved, call 253-4966 or visit the aquatics department at the IronWorks Gym.