Saturday, February 19, 2005

2005

Swimmers set personal best times

The News Herald

The Panama City Swim Team competed in the Auburn Orange and Blue Classic swim meet at Auburn University during Feb. 4-6. Nineteen PCST swimmers ages 8-17 competed in the meet of more than 800 athletes, including 2004 Olympians Mark Gangloff and Bryce Hunt.

Highlights of the team’s performance included 80 personalbest times. Those were:

Nicole Blais (15) 1650 freestyle, 19:18.42; Erik Bournias (15) 100 butterfly, 1:06.46; Becky Broersma (14) 200 freestyle, 2:35.89; Bonnie Broersma (12) 100 IM ,1:22.48; Dekker Broersma (9) 50 breaststroke, 59.70; Beau Brothers (16) 100 backstroke, 1:03.56; Jake Bryant (8) 100 breaststroke, 2:36.03; Josh Bryant (10) 100 butterfly, 1:42.82; Matt Bryant (12) 50 butterfly, 32.79; Nicole Gazia (10) 100 freestyle 1:13.05; Laura Kearns (11) 100 backstroke, 1:19.83; Mary McDermott (12) 500 freestyle, 6:10.71; Carlee McDonald (12) 200 IM, 2:36.03; Jamie McDonald (10) 100 butterfly, 1:25.17; Kyle Olstad (11) 50 breaststroke, 38.04; Taylor Pippens (17) 100 backstroke, 58.15; Kate Rogers (13) 200 IM, 3:14.49; Zach Stein (16) 100 freestyle, 54.49; and April Woodrum (16) 100 breaststroke, 1:23.52.

PCST increased the number of swimmers achieving their Southeastern Short Course Championship cut times, which qualifies them for a championship meet in March.

"It is motivating to see how many more swimmers are achieving their cut times," PCST head coach Nicole Garner said. "I am very pleased with the accomplishments of our swimmers."

During the weekend of Jan. 28-30, PCST took part in the third annual Rick Byers Memorial Invitational swim meet in Fort Walton Beach. The team took 25 swimmers to the meet and placed third.

Some of the results were: Matt Bryant, fifth, boys 11-12; Josh Bryant, second, boys 9-10; Nicole Gazia, sixth, girls 9-10; Mary McDermott, second, girls 11-12; Sara McDermott, first, girls 11-12; Victoria Hove, fifth, girls 11-12; Jake Bryant, fifth, boys 8-under; Jamie McDonald, third, girls 9-10.