MEEKER | The Meeker Marlins swim team have been off swimming at meets since May 4, when they competed in their first meet of the season in Montrose. Most recently, they returned to Montrose for the Montrose Marlins Summer Open, held June 27–28. Over two days, the Meeker Marlins posted strong times and impressive results.
Adrian Baumgart led off the boys team, competing in the 9–10 age group and winning the 25-yard free (16.49) and 50-yard free (39.08). In the 13–14 age group, Sebastian Baumgart finished second in the 50 free (28.62), with teammate Tristian Borchard fourth (29.61) and Isaiah Gianinetti seventh (31.13).
In the 15–16 division, Tucker Chinn placed first with a time of 23.50, while his younger brother Dexter finished ninth (29.14). In the girls 50-yard free, Evelyn Borchard finished 10th in the 9–10 group (42.48), and Aerie Smuts also placed 10th in the 11–12 division (35.53).
In the boys 100-yard free (9–10), Fletcher Chinn won the event (1:25.28), followed by Adrian Baumgart in second (1:27.89). In the 13–14 division, Sebastian Baumgart took third (1:03.88), and Tristian Borchard was eighth (1:09.46). Dexter Chinn placed 10th in the 15–16 group (1:03.52). Tinlie Strate swam a 1:11.76 in the girls 13–14 division.
Adrian Baumgart also won the 200-yard free (3:24.56). Strate reflected on how practice has helped her prepare for the swim meets throughout the season.
“Coach Shelly has pushed us hard and helped us refine our strokes. After those practices, race day feels easy,” said Strate.
Isaiah Gianinetti placed fourth in the 13–14 division (2:42.64), and Tucker Chinn earned third in the 15–16 group (1:59.54). Strate also took sixth in the 200-yard free (2:41.44) and seventh in the 500 (7:16.62).
In the 25-yard backstroke, Evelyn Borchard took third (23.70). Fletcher Chinn placed fourth in the 50 back (46.61). Smuts took sixth in the 100 back (1:37.00, 11–12 age group). In the 9–10 100 back, Fletcher Chinn won (1:43.54), with Adrian Baumgart second (1:46.29). Sebastian Baumgart and Borchard placed third (1:15.45) and fifth (1:20.98), respectively, in the 13–14 division. Tucker Chinn took second in the 15–16 division (59.28).
In the 200-yard back, Sebastian Baumgart placed third (2:40.98), Borchard was eighth (3:06.17), Tucker Chinn second (2:09.89), and Dexter Chinn sixth (2:38.29).
Evelyn Borchard finished fifth in the 25-yard fly (26.42), while Fletcher Chinn took first in the 50-yard fly (49.75). Smuts placed 10th in the 11–12 division (45.55). In the boys 100 fly, Fletcher Chinn won (1:51.88), with Adrian Baumgart second (2:04.52). Tucker Chinn won the 15–16 race (55.93), and Dexter Chinn placed seventh (1:18.08). Strate took seventh in the 100 fly (1:33.59), and Sebastian Baumgart won the 200 fly (2:45.14).
Chinn reflected on his 100 fly and how he approaches meets.
“I cut two seconds off my time and made a national zonal qualifying time,” he said. “Sometimes I just want to cut time, and other times I’m focused on winning.”
In the 25-yard breaststroke, Evelyn Borchard took third (26.69). Fletcher Chinn placed third in the 50 breast (51.81), and Evelyn placed eighth in the same event (58.33). Fletcher was also second in the 100 breast (1:56.98).
Sebastian Baumgart placed third in the 13–14 division (1:21.93), and Dexter Chinn was fifth in the 15–16 group (1:22.66). Strate placed fourth in the 100 breast (1:33.73) and fifth in the 200 (3:18.19). Sebastian also placed third in the 200 breast (3:05.40).
In the 100-yard IM, Evelyn Borchard placed sixth in the 9–10 division (1:54.50), and Smuts was ninth in the 11–12 group (1:39.41). Fletcher Chinn won the 100 IM (1:41.63), and Adrian Baumgart was second (1:48.03). Strate took seventh in the 200 IM (3:02.79) and shared her reflections on the meet.
“I swam really well in Montrose. My 500 free went great, and I cut time in almost all my events. I’m proud I placed in the 500—it was my first time swimming it,” she said.
In that same event, Adrian Baumgart won the 9–10 division (3:49.33), Tristan Borchard placed fourth in 13–14 (2:58.23), and Tucker Chinn took second in 15–16 (2:17.51). Chinn also reflected on what’s been working in practice.
“I’ve worked a lot on pacing and negative splitting, and it’s paid off in my middle-distance races. I try to set the tone as a leader at practices and meets,” he said.
Sebastian Baumgart took first in the boys 400-yard IM (5:49.82), and Dexter Chinn was fourth (5:54.98). Baumgart shared his approach and goals.
“I go into harder events with confidence. I’ve learned to be OK with not always winning, and I stay positive thanks to my coach and team,” he said. “My goals for Western Slope are to swim hard and help my team however I can.”
The Marlins did not compete over the holiday weekend but are back in action this weekend. From July 11–13, they’ll compete in the Western Slope League Championships at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction.
Strate said she’s excited to compete alongside her teammates.
“My favorite part of the team is how supportive everyone is—it’s like a family,” she said. “I’m confident we’ll all do well because we’ve worked hard these last two weekends.”
Tucker Chinn is also looking forward to the meet.
“I’m excited to finally swim in a long course pool this season. My focus is getting more qualifying times for Long Course State and the zonal meet in California,” he said.
Head coach Shelly Rogers said the week off was a good reset and praised the team’s work ethic.
“We’re swimming more yards than we have in the past,” she said. “A long course pool has fewer walls, which are the fastest part of a race. I’m proud of how the team has stepped up. Some of our older swimmers even come in early to get extra yards. I expect many of them to hit or get close to their best times this weekend.”
Good luck to all the competitors this week—and go Meeker Marlins!
By JARED HENDERSON |
Photo courtesy of Shelly Rogers.