PALM SPRINGS, CA – September 20, 2021 – “From small beginnings come great things.”  Walking into the Cynthia”Sippy” Woodhead pool this weekend it was easy to be reminded of this oft-quoted line from the movie ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.

It was at this humble, municipal pool in Riverside, CA where Woodhead began her phenomenal swimming career that led to her winning three gold medals in the 1978 World Championships when she was only 14 years old, and by age 16 she was the world-ranked number one and favored to win the 100-, 200-, 400-, and 800-meter freestyle races in the US-boycotted, 1980 Summer Olympics at Moscow.  She went on to set seven world records during her career and won the silver medal in the 200 freestyle at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

There is still some magic left apparently in the aging pool as the young Elite Otters put on a dazzling display of swimming this weekend at the RAA B/R/W Short Course Swim Meet.

Istvan Banki, age 11, thoroughly dominated the Boys 11-12 age group by winning all eight of his individual races.  He had substantial drops in four events and is off to a great start in pursuit of his self-stated goal of reaching the Junior Olympics next year.

Seven year-old Eli Otteson won six of his races in the Boys 5-8 age group and dropped his personal best times in four events. 

Eight year-old Olivia Sullivan won all three of her events and seven year-old Zander Lopez-Evanson won both of his races, as well.

Dani Scott, age 11, won the 100 yard breast and the 100 Free in the Girls 11-12 age group, and dropped in six out of her eight races.  Shayna Hecht won two out of five races and dropped in four out of five races including an impressive ten-second drop in the Girls 11-12 500 Freestyle from which she had set a personal best just three weeks earlier.

Casey Hecht, age 10, added to his huge summer accomplishments by reaching Speedo Far Western times in the 200 IM and the 100 IM.  This adds to his 100 Butterfly cut, giving Casey three qualifying times for next April’s Speedo Far Western Championship.  Coach Laura Otteson commented, "Casey Hecht will be the first swimmer in the Coachella Valley to qualify for Far Westrern Zones as a 10 year old in many years. This is a great accomplishment!"

Owen Otteson won the Boys 7-10 50-yard Breaststroke and had six top-three finishes.

Iris Alcorn, age ten, made her competitive debut for the Otters in four events.

Yet, the most awesome performance had to be Ava Otteson’s swim in the 1,650 yard Freestyle Friday evening at CCAQ in Eastvale, CA.  This was Ava’s first mile swim and her goal was to finish in under 20 minutes by swimming 35-second laps.  Ava smashed that goal and completed the mile swim in 18:48.32.  Ava perfectly paced herself by swimming 30 of the 33 laps in under 35 seconds.

Otter parent Hagit Hecht exclaimed, “She’s a jet!” as Ava finished with a flourish on her last lap.  It was truly jaw-dropping to witness.

Perhaps someday one or more of these young Elite Otters will fulfill their Olympic swimming dream that “Sippy” Woodhead first displayed in that Riverside pool many years ago.

About ELITE Otters Swim Team:

ELITE Otters Swim Team is dedicated to providing positive encouragement and opportunity for all swimmers to pursue excellence in a safe environment, while also working to build self-discipline, sportsmanship and integrity.  Our primary focus is teaching proper stroke technique, racing skills and building endurance so our swimmers can compete and excel at ELITE levels.  Coaches believe communication, high expectations, and setting goals are critical components in achieving success in life and in the pool.  For more information please visit the team’s website at www.ELITEOtters.com