The Meeker Marlins USA Swim Team had nine members qualify for the Colorado Scottie Aschermann Seasonal State Championship Swim Meet in Cortez, Colorado, last weekend.
(Back, from left) Rayna VonRoenn, Mrs. VonRoenn, Jonan VonRoenn and Content VonRoenn, coach Shelly Rogers, Amy Chinn, Dan Chinn, Arturo Rodriguez, Holly Knowles, Addie Knowles, Tom Knowles. (Center, from left) Dexter Chinn, Tucker Chinn, Fletcher Chinn, Gael Rodriguez and Tania Valeriano. (Front, from left) Said Rodriguez, Trent Sanders and Hailey Knowles. | COURTESY PHOTO
These swimmers were successful individually and as a team. The Meeker Marlins won the “Small Team” division by scoring a total of 1,125 points. Four swimmers won one or more individual state championships in their age groups: Dexter Chinn, Jonan VonRoenn, Said Rodriguez and Hailey Knowles. Senior Hailey Knowles finished her swim career by dropping time in every event and taking home a state championship in one of the hardest races, the 200-yard butterfly. In addition to the team win, four Meeker Marlin swimmers received high point awards in their age groups. For the 9 to 10-year-old boys, Gael Rodriquez placed second overall. For the 11 to 12-year-old boys, Dexter Chinn placed first and Jonan VonRoenn placed third overall and for the 13 to 14-year-old boys Said Rodriguez placed second overall.
The Seasonal State Championship Meet is the culminating meet of the season. To swim in it, seasonal swimmers must qualify in events. Many of the Marlins qualified in more events than the limit of 10 events. This year, the Marlins, as a team, qualified in a total of 81 (of the 90 allowed) events. The Meeker Marlins USA Swim Team went to swim meets throughout the summer to improve their times and qualify for this state championship meet. All of the swimmers had a great season and improved times in their races.
Coach Shelly Rogers stated, “I am incredibly proud of this year’s swimmers. They get up every morning and come to the pool and work hard. They want to improve their stroke, do their best, and swim best times at every meet; for that reason, they are so easy to coach. These kids are not only top-notch swimmers, they have work ethic, they are great teammates to each other, they show sportsmanship by cheering for swimmers on other teams, and they are polite and respectful people! I couldn’t be more lucky to coach such incredible kids!”
Special to the Herald Times
