Three hundred and fifty-five swimmers from all over Northern Nevada and California braved the snow and rain of President's Day weekend to compete in the Douglas Dolfin's St. Valentine Meet.
About 75 percent of Douglas' swimmers participated, which newly appointed head coach Kat Matheson said was remarkable after a respiratory virus swept through the team the week before.
Matheson also credited the Carson Valley Swim Center and all of the Dolfin family volunteers, especially meet directors Linda Koontz and Lorna Johnston, for the success of the event.
Nearly all the Douglas swimmers improved their times and some had an exceptionally strong meet.
A young, emerging talent, 8-year-old Taylor Sullivan, dominated every event she swam with the girl's 7-8 group, earning the spot of top point scorer for the team.
No. 2 scorer, Shelby Koontz, 10, also placed in the top three in all of her 10 events. Shawn Stubnar, 16, earned the third-highest points.
Several other swimmers achieved top times in the meet: For the girls, Silvia Lawson-Vilches, 10, took second in the 200 freestyle and third in the 50 butterfly, 100 butterfly, 100 IM and the 200 IM.
Erica Chappell, 12, placed second in the 50 freestyle, Mary Smithen, 14, placed third in the 50 freestyle, Shaelin Morefield, 13, placed third in the 1,000 freestyle, and Taylor Killion, 14, second in the 1,650 freestyle.
For the boys, Kyle Johnston, 13, placed third in the 1,650 freestyle and Cameron Morefield, 14, placed second in the 100 breast and third in the 100 back.
The St. Valentine Meet is considered a "last chance" to obtain qualifying times for the Short Course Junior Olympics held in San Ramon, Calif., on March 20-24. Five Dolfin swimmers achieved this goal and now 14 Dolfins will be competing in that event.
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