Jason Sugihara, a member of the Pre-Senior Group at Gold Medal Swim Club, was named Honorable Mention 11-12 Swimmer of the Year, by national publication, SwimSwam. Each year, SwimSwam recognizes top swimmers in different categories, through their Swammy Awards. Below is the summary of his accomplishments that helped him win the award. A link is also below, if you wish to read the full article. https://swimswam.com/2020-swammy-awards/ Jason Sugihara – Gold Medal Swim Club-AZ: Sugihara ended 2020 ranked #2 in IMX points for 11-year-olds in the SCY 2019-20 season, and #3...

Fall Gold Medal Swim Club Swimmer Recognition The coaching staff wanted to recognize outstanding achievements for the period of August to December. Those swimmers who are recognized below in either category can see Coach Mike for an award for their hard work and outstanding performances. There were many outstanding performances this Fall from multiple swimmers in all the groups, making the selection of the top athletes very difficult. Everyone on the team should be very proud of their effort in these difficult times. Senior Group Outstanding Swimmers Abby Raclaw: Best...

Gold Medal Swimmers swam in three different meets this past weekend. Almost every swimmer on the team was involved in a meet. Once again there were so many outstanding swims, it will be impossible to mention them all, but this news story will hope to mention as many as possible. From Coach Christine for Age Group 2/3: This past week we had so many great achievements. They did a great job and performed exceptionally well despite being windy and cold. Kailey Albright had 6 best times and achieved 6 JO...

Gold Medal Swim Club swimmers competed in two meets the first weekend of December. Members of the Senior Group competed at the MAC Senior Challenger and members of most groups competed at the Neptune Holiday Festival. The team continued with some amazing results. There were so many best times and top performances at both meets, they can't all receive mention here. At the Holiday Fest, Cohen Gunsalas was a top male performer with 16 best time swims between his prelim and finals swims. He also broke a minute for 100...

Gold swimmers achieved 26 new State Age Group times at the Mesa and Neptune meets this past weekend. Leading the way with three new State times was Ellie Kayser and Markus Quillinan. Those achieving two new State times included: Anthony Kummet, Tori Ngyuen, Grant Rathjen, William You, Sasha Volkova, Tila Tometich, Markus Crawford, Mackenzie Feirstein and Jonathan Zinger. Senior/ Pre-Senior group swimmers achieving the most best times include Kendall Alexander with six, Clare Luken with six, Leah Green with five, Cohen Gunsalas with six, Paige Downey with six, Colin Campbell...

Gold Medal Swim Club Swimmers had an outstanding weekend at the various high state championships. Jack Luken won the 500 free in 4.34.0 and achieved third place in the 200 free with 1.42.10. Other top eight finishers included Max Nielsen in the 6th in the 50 free and 2nd in the100 free, Ryne Davenport 7th in the 100 free and 4th in the 100 back, Colin Campbell 5th in the 200 IM and 6th in the 100 breast, Colorado Stanley 4th in the 100 back, and Seongju Song 7th in...

Cactus Swimmers showed major improvements at the Neptune Autumn meet in October. The team recorded 41 new State Age Group qualifying times and numerous new JO times. Jason Sugihara broke the state records for 11-12 boys in the 100 IM, 200 free, and 100 fly. There were so many great performances, it is impossible to mention them all in this new report. however, the following swimmers achieved 100% best times. Madison Ricks, Tori Ngyuen, Cohen Gunsalas, Evan Beck, Zachary Basha, Shae Braley, Markus Crawfor, Carl Digiovine, Alex George, William You,...

Jason Sugihara broke the 11-12 year old boy Arizona state record in the 400 IM at the Neptune Distance Invitational on October 16. Jason's time of 4:23.18, broke the old record of 4.24.90. This time was a 17 second improvement for Jason. Cactus achieved 38 best times out of 43 swims at the meet. This included two sectional level times and 22 Arizona state level times.

Cactus Aquatics placed fifth at the Age Group State Championships at Oro Valley. The team was lead by Jason Sugihara who won the 11-12 boys high point trophy by winning all six of his events. The team had many point scorers in scoring the largest number of points in team history.

Cactus Aquatics placed ninth at the State Open Championships. Cactus was led by Jack Luken, who achieved his first Futures Meet qualifying time in the 1650. Other top performers included Max Nielsen, Katy Clausen, Ava Elliot, Colin Cambell, Colorado Stanley, Kinsey Miller, Alyssa Clausen, and Finn Crawford.