Gold Medal Announces January Swimmers of the Month

Gold Medal Swim Club Swimmer of the Month

Age Group Two-Ahwatukee

Cullen Kelly

Cullen has excelled by engaging in our team training principles of attitude, attendance, and achievement during the month of January. Cullen kicked off the month of January representing Gold Medal on the Arizona All Star Team in Yuma. While in Yuma he set three new PRs and followed up this performance in Yuma with three additional PRs at the Phoenix Dual Meets. You can find Cullen ready to race and cheer for his teammates. 

Age Group Two-Chandler

Joelle Vandenbark

Joelle shows up to practice with a champion mindset and gives 100% effort at every practice.

Age Group One

Grant Rathjen

Grant Rathjen always has a great positive attitude at every practice and at meets. In addition to coming to see the coaches before and after all his races, he also does a great job at encouraging his teammates at meets and at practice too. Grant has also had a great season so far, achieving 4 State times in his first full season in the 11-12 age group, with hopefully more to come. 

Gold

Dana El-Rayes

Dana has a great attitude at practice and gets to work right away, every day. Dana is the only one in the group who goes to two morning practices a week. Dana had 7 best times at the Tri Meet, highlighted by breaking 19 minutes for the first time in the 1650 (18:56), by dropping 22 seconds, as well as dropping 53 seconds in her 500 free.

Senior Two

Evan Beck

He always has a positive attitude at morning or evening practice. Evan is willing to make changes and has made efforts to be more consistent with them. Evan had 5 best times at the Tri Meet, notably breaking 5 minutes for the first time in the 400 IM (4:59) and dropping 10 sec in 200 back (2:21).

Senior Three

Alex Gonzales 

Alex continues to grow and develop as a swimmer.  Alex rarely misses a practice and is always willing to try and push himself.  If he does face a challenge, he will confront it and do his best.  We are looking forward to seeing what Alex can do at the end of the season meets! Great work Alex!

Blue

Paige Downey

Paige achieved five best times at the dual meet championship weekend. Paige also qualified for Sectionals in the 200 fly with a two second improvement. Paige has excellent attendance and is one of the leaders in whatever lane in which she swims.

Senior One

Ava Elliott

Ava achieved a new Futures cut in the 1000 free at the Dual Meet Championships. Her race was one of the best split distance races this season, swimming 5:10 on the first 500 and 5:09 on the second 500. This was sensational as her best time in the 500 free is a 5:07. She also improved her 200 breaststroke significantly which will further strengthen her 400 IM. Ava had 100 % attendance in January and is one of the hardest workers in the group.