Lovelock and Yerington swimmers get ready to compete in the Lovelock swim meet last Saturday at the town pool.
On Saturday June 29, Lovelock hosted their league's last swim meet of the summer.
Even with hundreds of swimmers and 66 events, the day was a success thanks to Pat Rowe, the athletes, lifeguards and volunteers.
The swimmers ranged in age from toddlers to teens. The Lovelock team wore red and black. Yerington (the Desert Foxes) wore purple. Both squads looked at home in the water.
"We had a great meet and finished in record time. The new computer system is all run electronically by the wonderful Borsinis from Yerington," said Rowe. "Our team performed well, and, of course, I was proud of them all."
Jim and Pat Rowe opened the pool on July 4, 1974. Many former team members now watch their children swim across the Olympic sized pool.
Jordan McKinney (Class of 2002) swam on the Lovelock Swim team as child.
This year, two of McKinney’s children - Jacobi and Romin - competed in multiple events.
Romin placed first in the 7-8 boys 25-yard breaststroke and second in the 25-yard butterfly.
Jacobi competed in the 11-12 girls 50-yard breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle and backstroke.
“We always have such a good time at the swim meet. It’s a well-oiled machine that goes so smoothly. It’s fun to see our community kids getting out there and having fun competing against Yerington and each other,” said McKinney.
Lily Reynolds placed first in the 11-12 girls 50-yard breaststroke, 100-yard individual medley, and 50-yard butterfly. She came in third in the 50-yard freestyle.
In the 50-yard butterfly, Reynolds and her teammate Stella Hughes were neck to neck.
Reynolds clocked in at 57.04 with Hughes at 57.32. Hughes took first place in the 50-yard freestyle (46.88).
Rylie Burt won the 13-14 boys 50-yard backstroke (45.71).
Samael Diarte represented Lovelock in the 15-18 boys 50-yard freestyle, backstroke, 100-yard individual medley, freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, and two relays.
This season's lifeguards include Taylor Garland, Hunter Nolf, Lily Burt, Josiah Hunt, Yasmine McKinney, Justin Carruth, Mallory Evenson, Grace Kalsem, Madyson Grenz, Hayley Montes and Izayuh McGlothin.
The pool has trained and employed over 400 lifeguards since its opening.
In May 2020 a magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit near Mina, about 180 miles south of Lovelock.
The tremors created cracks in the pool and caused leaks severe enough to shut it down.
The town rallied, raised thousands of dollars, and attracted the attention of the William N. Pennington Foundation.
The philanthropic organization awarded a $178,000 grant to save one of Lovelock's most precious gems.
"It's such a great atmosphere," McKinney said. "I'm sad the swim team is over for the year and am looking forward to next year."