Swimming: Dolfins strong at state championships

The Douglas Dolfins swim team traveled south earlier this month to compete in the Nevada State Swimming Championships at the Desert Breeze Aquatic Center in Henderson.

Head coach Sarah Davenport declared the meet "a huge success," with eight of the Douglas competitors placing within the top 10 in their events. Each Dolfin who competed also had best personal times, and coaches saw an overall team improvement of 77 percent.

Thirteen Nevada teams participated, with a total of 680 competitors.

Of those who placed in the top 10 against this large group of swimmers were Shelby Koontz, who won a state title in the 50 free, and took second in the 100 free, 50 backstroke, 50 breastroke and 100 individual medley (IM) for girls 9-10 years old.

Haley Von Shottenstein, swimming in the girls 15 and over group, also took second in the 100 breaststroke, as well as third in the 50 free.

Taylor Sullivan, the youngest swimmer to represent the Dolfins at 8 years old, placed third in both the 25 and 50 breastroke and the 100 IM.

Shaelin Morefield, swimming with the girls 11-12, placed fourth in the 50 and 100 butterfly and tied for fourth in the 50 backstroke.

Mary Smithen (girls 13-14) also took a fourth place in the 50 free and fifth in the 100 free. Michelle Forman placed 10th in the 100 breastroke.

Two swimmers in the boys 13-14 group also placed in the top 10. Cameron Morefield took seventh in both the 100 and 200 breastroke. Kyle Johnstone placed ninth in the 500 free, ninth in the 100 fly and 10th in the 200 free.

Several other swimmers saw impressive personal best times in their events.

The biggest improvements in times were from Savannah Chappell (-13 seconds 200 IM, 6.8 percent improvement) Erica Chappell (-10.39 seconds 200 free, 6.8 percent improvement) Shawn Stubnar (-22.21 seconds 500 free, 6.4 percent improvement) Chandra Matheson (-10.95 200 breast, 6.1 percent improvement) Sarah Koontz (-8.14 200 fly, 4.8 percent improvement) and Eric Vanbeuge (-6.63 seconds 200 fly, 4.7 percentage improvement).

Dolfin swimmers continue to train, looking forward to two major competitions in December and a home invitational in February. Five of the 14 and under swimmers will be going to the Winter Junior Olympics Dec. 5-7: Taylor Killion, Cameron and Shaelin Morefield, Shelby Koontz, and Silvin Lawson-Vilches. The following weekend a group will be attending the Senior Winter Championships in Concord, Calif.: Haley VonShottenstein, Eric Van Buege, Michelle Forman, and Taylor Killion.