KMSC shatters records on way to 9th straight state title
King Marlin Swim Club athletes broke eight state records and the team secured its 9th straight state championship during the 2018 long-course season this summer, the area club announced.
Six Marlins earned high-point awards in their respective age groups at the Oklahoma Swimming Long-Course State Championships at Mitch Park this summer, including Oklahoma City’s Lester Wessels (11-year-old boys), Ryan Healy of Edmond (12-year-old boys), Kate Janzen of Edmond (15-16-year-old girls), and Craig Tompkins of Oklahoma City (17-19-year-old boys). Additionally, Tori Hollen of Norman (15-16-year-old girls) and Maya Ferrell of Edmond (17-19-year-old girls) won the distance high-point awards in their age groups.
Depth across all age groups helped propel KMSC to victory. Marlins won the team awards for several age groups, including 10 and under boys and girls, 11-12 boys and 13-14 girls.
“This championship is the culmination of preparation and focus over the course of several months across all of our training groups,” Senior Head Coach and co-owner John Brown said. “It’s exciting to watch our younger swimmers develop into strong swimmers, while our senior athletes continue to excel.”
The team also set several state records this season, highlighted by the 10 and under boys relay smashing the oldest state records on the books. The relay team of Edmond’s Jonah Beth and Conrad LeGrande, Enid’s Conner Quintero, and Stillwater’s Elias Mendez swam a 2:33.69 in the 200-meter medley relay, beating the previous 51-year-old record. The relay also broke the 400-meter free relay record (5:04.05), which they had set last summer.
“What an honor to watch these boys, who train hard every opportunity they get, break a record of one of my former teammates,” said Head Coach/co-owner Kathy Mendez, who swam for Kerr-McGee Swim Club during her youth. “Over the last few years, our boys ages 12 and under have consistently demonstrated what can be achieved through dedication and commitment.”
In the 11-12-year-old division, long-time teammates Keaton Rice of Edmond and Healy combined to break six state records. Rice set new citizen records (fastest time held by Oklahoma swimmers) in the 200-meter butterfly (2:27.45), 100-meter freestyle (58.84), and 200-meter backstroke (2:25.52). Healy set two citizen marks in the 800-meter freestyle (9:33.02) and 200-meter individual medley (2:21.92). He also set the open state record (fastest time in an Oklahoma pool) in the 400-meter individual medley (5:05.43).
In addition to Healy’s records, he also garnered USA Swimming’s Top 16 national rankings in three events for the 11-12-year-old boys age group. His 200 breaststroke time of 2:40.57 placed him 11th nationally. His 200 individual medley finished 12th and 400 individual medley was 13th overall.
Janzen, who was recently named to USA Swimming’s Scholastic All-America team along with teammate Even Wagner, also competed in USA Swimming’s Futures Championship in Rochester, Minn., where she placed sixth overall in the 200-meter backstroke and earned her first Winters Junior Nationals qualifying time.
KMSC is a competitive USA Swimming team with locations at the Lighthouse in northwest Oklahoma City, Mitch Park YMCA in Edmond, and Stillwater YMCA in Stillwater. KMSC also offers Marlin Swim School for learn-to-swim classes. For information regarding the team, visit www.kingmarlin.com.
