News

Laura Otteson

PALM SPRINGS, CA – July 29, 2019 – ELITE Otters Swim Team, Southern California’s elite swimming team, had three members compete in the 2019 Southern California Swimming Summer Junior Olympic Championships (JOs) in Riverside, CA on July 24-28, 2019. EOST swimmers that qualified for JAGs were: Shayna Hecht (age 10), Owen Otteson (age 8), and Ava Otteson (age 11). Hecht medaled in the girls (5-10) 100 meter backstroke and reached “B” finals in four other events. Coach Laura Otteson said, "Hecht had multiple outstanding performances at JOs! She came to...

Laura Otteson

PALM SPRINGS, CA – June 30, 2019 – ELITE Otters Swim Team, Southern California’s elite swimming team, had three members compete in the 2019 Southern California Swimming June Age Group (JAGs) Invitational meet in La Mirada, CA June 13-16, 2019. Otters swimming at JAGs were Shayna Hecht, age 10, who medaled in four out of five events, Owen Otteson, 8, who raced in four events in the boys 7-10 group, and Ava Otteson 11, who swam in five events in the girls 11-12 group. With every passing meet, EOST swimmers...

Laura Otteson

PALM SPRINGS, CA – May 26, 2019 – ELITE Otters Swim Team, southern California’s elite swimming team, continued to build on its huge string of success since its debut less than four months ago with their outstanding performances at the Palm Springs LC BRW Meet on May 24-26, 2019. The Otters were led by Shayna Hecht and Owen Otteson, who combined for seven new summer Junior Olympic qualifying times. Together with Ava Otteson the Otters now have three swimmers competing in a total of 15 events in July’s summer JO’s....

Laura Otteson

PALM SPRINGS, CA – May 5, 2019 –ELITE Otters participated in the Palm Springs Cinco de Mayo Swim Meet this past Sunday. Owen Otteson swam to two Junior Olympic cuts in the 50 butterfly(5 second drop) and 50 backstroke (4 second drop). Additionally, Otteson swam his first ever 200 freestyle. His performance in the 200 freestyle ranks him as the 20th fastest 8 year old in the nation. Awesome work Owen! Shayna Hecht, who recently joined ELITE Otters and has been training as an Otter for the past 2 months,...

Laura Otteson

PALM SPRINGS, CA – April 17, 2019 –Femke Heemskerk, the Dutch gold medalist and world champion in the 100 freestyle, was swimming while we were practicing today. She said she’s determined to qualify for next Olympics! She was so kind! After her work out she spent 15 minutes talking with our athletes on deck. Then she got back into the water to model all 4 strokes and take a picture with our athletes. She also signed autographs for the kids! Femke is a Dutch competitive swimmer who won a gold...

Laura Otteson

PALM SPRINGS, CA – May 4, 2019 –Ava Otteson aged to the 11-12 group in February. However, that's not stopping her from reaching her Summer JO cut times! At Otteson's 2nd meet as an 11 year old she achieved 4 Summer JO Cuts. Here's the breakdown of her events: 200 free 2:11.35 with a 3.93 drop JO CUT 50 free 27.98 with a 1.07 drop JO CUT 50 fly 30.99 with a .36 drop JO CUT 200 IM 2:37.72 with a 5.14 drop 100 Free 1:00.37 with a 2.24 drop...

Laura Otteson

PALM SPRINGS, CA – March 3, 2019 –Elite Otters participated at the Eastern Committee Championship Meet in Perris, California on March 2 & 3. In practice the swimmers have been focusing on improving technique, increasing endurance and mastering racing skills. Their hard work and determination are definitely showing results in the water! Owen Otteson scored 67 points and earned 4 medals. Istvan Banki scored 46 points and earned 3 medals. Ava Otteson scored 50 points and earned 3 medals. She also rose to the event swimming to 4 summer Junior...

Laura Otteson

PALM SPRINGS, CA – February 11, 2019 –Owen Otteson received 1st place honors (tying with Owen Forget Star Aquatics) and Istvan Banki received 2nd place at the IMR swim meet held im Palm Springs, CA on February 9 & 10. Excellent work representing Elite Otters! Otteson's Events: 100 IM 1:30.27 1st place with 7 second drop 50 Free 32.96 2nd place with 2.72 second drop 25 Breast 24.86 3rd place with drop .51 25 Back 19.70 3rd place 25 Fly 18.05 1st place with drop .1 Banki's Events: 100 IM...

Laura Otteson

Congratulations to Ava for her selection to the 2019 SCS All Star Festival Team. She was one of 32 of the fastest in her age group that was chosen according to her combined results from competitions ranging from September 1-December 17, 2018. The 2019 All Star Festival was hosted by Southern California Swimmer at the Brenda Villa Aquatic Center in Commerce, CA on Sunday January 27th. Excellent job Ava! ELITE Otters Swim Team: Elite Otters Swim Team is dedicated to providing positive encouragement and opportunity for all swimmers to pursue...