By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
Over the weekend, the Baranof Barracudas swam with Juneau’s Glacier Swim Club here in Sitka. Swimmers from young children to high schoolers competed in front of packed bleachers at the Blatchley pool.
Barracudas Coach Kevin Knox said that “there were some pretty fun, exciting races among the younger kids, I think that’s what made it a really fun swim meet.”
With 116 events in the meet, it was a busy weekend in the water.
In the age 8 and under girls 25-yard backstroke event, it was a tight race won by Barracudas’ Addie Marx.
Zach Martens, swimming with age 10 and under boys, swam hard and placed well in many events, winning the 10 and under boys 200 individual medley.
Knox added that overall, the Barracudas set 42 percent of their new best times. He said that’s “a really high percentage… that was fun for me to see.”
Barracudas’ Makenna Stevens swims breatstroke, at Blatchley, Saturday.
(Photo provided by BBSC/Carolyn Black)
Sydney Davis swam a best time in each one of her events, and Knox said that she “averaged 12.5 seconds off of every event.”
With the younger age groups, events are often less about competition than they are about camaraderie. Knox said that for many swimmers, this was their first real meet after time trials, and “the kids (got) super jazzed about being in a swim meet.”
Sitka High swimmers Sam Jones and Ben Turner also took part in the meet. Knox said that it was good to see “the rest of the Sitka swimming world supporting them (the kids).”
Knox said many kids signed up for events only on Saturday, but after enjoying the first day of the meet asked “‘can I come back tomorrow? This is really fun!’”
The Barracudas have some time before their next meet, which will be in Ketchikan in December.
