Four local youth have qualified to participate in the Nevada State Short Course Championships this month.
Swimmers Nathan Perkinson, Charles Gronin, Claudia van der Veen and Colette van der Veen will travel to Carson City to compete in their respective divisions November 9-12.
All four athletes qualified for the state contest at the King of the Hill Challenge October 13-15, also in Carson City.
Nathan Perkinson (16-years-old) placed seventh in the 15-16 boys division 100 breast with a time of 1:13.19; Perkinson also placed 28th in the 13-18 boys division 50 free challenge 50 free with a best time of 26.10.
Charles Gonin (13-years-old) placed 11th in the 13-14 boys division 400 IM with a best time of 6:21.19; he placed ninth in the 13-14 boys division 200 free with a best time of 2:15.17; he placed 16th in the 13-14 boys division 100 breast with a best time of 1:34.73; and, he placed 39th in the 13-18 boys division 50 free challenge 50 free with a best time of 27.22.
Claudia van der Veen (11-years-old) placed 16th in the 11-12 girls division 50 free with a best time of 32.74; she placed 12th in the 11-12 girls division 50 breast with a best time of 45.70; and, she placed 10th in the 11-12 girls division 100 IM with a best time of 1:22.83.
Colette van der Veen (9-years-old) placed third in the 9-10 girls division 100 free with a best time of 1:19.97; she also took first in the 9-10 girls division 50 breast with a best time of 44.34.
All four swimmers compete with the newly formed Winnemucca Aquatic Club, a year-round competitive swim team coached by Madison Jensen.
Jensen said meets like the Carson Challenge are not mandatory for team members, “but they do offer an additional level of competitiveness that appeals to some of our swimmers.”
Jensen added, “I am really proud of Nathan, Charles, Claudia and Colette. Meets can be intimidating with so many swimmers and such tight competition, but they all kept their cool and, as you can see from their times, they really gave it their best effort.”
