Several Orcas Record All-Star Times

This past Saturday, the Terra Linda Orcas had their time trials at the .  The time trials mark the first time during the swimming season when swimmers' times are officially measured and will be used to seed them in upcoming dual meets with other swim clubs.  The Orcas will be taking their times to Indian Valley College in two weeks and going up against the Novato Riptide for the first competition of the season. 

There were some standout performances.  For instance 10-year-old Johan Albers posted all-star times in all four strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.  Very few kids start the season as all-stars in any one stroke, much less all of them.

Another outstanding Orca who already qualifies for the all-star competition in late June is 13-year-old Skylar Merwin with great times in both the backstroke and butterfly.  Joining Skylar with all-star butterfly times 12-year-old Deven Lyons, 13-year-old Brynnagh Gallagher, 14-year-olds Natalie Vinson and Zach Kent.  Kent is truly an exceptionally talented swimmer and also qualified in freestyle, breaststroke and individual medley.

Look for great things from the Keith-Brown family this year.  Emma, 8, qualified for the all stars in freestyle while her sister Sophie qualified in backstroke.  The sisters are two of the best swimmers in their age groups.  Like their teammates, they will likely qualify for the all stars in other strokes as the season unfolds.

Not to be outdone or underestimated, young Nicole Chong at only 7 years of age has already qualified for the all stars in backstroke.

Julia Boro, 12, recorded an all-star time in the backstroke.

Kaelin Palavicini, 13, will be swimming the breaststroke in the all stars.

My own daughters Skylee and Sabrina didn’t post any all star times, but both posted the fastest times in their age groups for the breaststroke which is pretty cool.  They’ve worked hard since practices began in the first week of March and to my surprise did not miss one practice or Saturday Swim Clinic!  Considering all the cold, rainy days we had in March I’m extremely proud of them.

If they wanted to miss a practice or two every week I would not have an issue with my daughters doing so, but they seem to really enjoy swimming with the Orcas and the practices have just become part of our routine.  This is our fourth year with the Orca family, and at this point both girls have a lot of friends on the team.  That’s probably the biggest reason why they haven’t missed a practice, because they get to hang out and work out with their friends every evening in the pool.

In 2012 the Terra Linda Orcas slogan on their advertisements has been, “Fun, Fitness and Friends."  This is one case where there is definitely truth in advertising.