July 28, 2010 - 356 words
Dolphins swimmers top the podium
ED GREEN - The Woodstock Independent
Woodstock Dolphins Swim Team speedster Zachary Zankle earned his ticket to the upcoming Speedo Illinois Swimming Long Course Age Group Championship at Stevenson High School during the Summer Short Course Yards Regional Championship at Lake Forest High School July 23 to 25. In all, three swimmers from the Dolphins have qualified for the group championship over the course of the season.
Zankle earned his team's best finish of the regionals, qualifying for state with a first-place finish in the 100-meter backstroke. Zankle will join Tess Devinger and Lexi Olson at the group championship Thursday to Sunday, July 30 to Aug. 1. Devinger and Olson qualified earlier in the season.
Olson took second in the 100 and 200 freestyle and also finished second in the 200 individual medley at the regional. Devinger did not compete because of family commitments, but she will swim in the 100 butterfly, 100 breast and 200 individual medley at state.
"Tess has been swimming since about the age of 7," said Dolphins coach Joe Brasile. "She will be in seventh grade at Creekside (Middle) School this year. She has always excelled at the butterfly, which is probably the hardest stroke to master. Recently, she has really come on in the breaststroke as well."
"Lexi has been swimming since about the age of 8," Brasile continued. "[She] has always excelled at the breaststroke but has certainly become a well-rounded swimmer. She's from Marengo and will be going into eighth grade this year."
Other Dolphins who received medals included Davis Meyn in the 50 and 100 breaststroke, Gianna McGuire in the 50 butterfly, Adam Steinken in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, Izzy Bavaro in the 100 backstroke, and Becca Ortmann in the 100 freestyle.
In total, 20 Dolphins swimmers qualified for the regional and 15 participated in the event.
"The (long-course championship will be held in) basically the same type (of) venue the Olympics are held in," Brasile said. "It's an eight-lane, 50-meter competition pool."
What's next for the Dolphins?
The Dolphins' rookie program begins Friday, Oct. 1.
"We are always looking for new, young swimmers to join the Dolphins program. With our new facility (at Woodstock North High School), we have plenty of room."
For registration information, visit the Woodstock Dolphins website, www.woodstockdolphins.com.
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