Riptides Wrap-up First Year!
MB Riptides Conclude Inaugural Year on Top
The Myrtle Beach Riptides youth swimming team concluded their first year in successful fashion. The Riptides were represented at two different competitions, marking the end of their inaugural year.
MB Riptides’ Swimmers Qualify for US Nationals, Break Record
Four members of the Myrtle Beach Riptides earned selection to represent SC Swimming at the 2009 USA-Swimming Southern Zone Championships in Orlando, FL, July 28-August 1. The meet hosted 13 teams from the entire southern zone of the United States, which represented approximately 600 swimmers. The SC Swimming Zone Championship team consisted of forty-four swimmers, ages 11-18, from around South Carolina.
Four members of the Myrtle Beach Riptides earned selection to represent SC Swimming at the 2009 USA-Swimming Southern Zone Championships in Orlando, FL, July 28-August 1. The meet hosted 13 teams from the entire southern zone of the United States, which represented approximately 600 swimmers. The SC Swimming Zone Championship team consisted of forty-four swimmers, ages 11-18, from around South Carolina.
Representing the Riptides were Senior-aged swimmers Lauren Campbell, Keenan Lineback and Phil Mustert and 13-14 year old Megan Kingsley.
Keenan Lineback set the tone for all swimmers from SC Swimming by winning the 800meter freestyle on the first night of competition. Her time of 9:06 qualifies her to the USA-Swimming short-course Junior National Championships in December. Lineback is the first swimmer from the Grand Strand to ever win an event at the USA-S Southern Zone Championships.
However, Lineback’s time of 5:03.1 in the 400meter Individual Medley qualifies her to compete at the 2009 USA-Swimming short-course National Championships. Lineback is possibly the first female swimmer to ever qualify to US Nationals - one of the highest levels of competition in a non-Olympic year.
“Being proud of Keenan’s performances at Zone’s doesn’t even begin to describe how we all feel about how Keenan did,” said Riptides’ head coach James Smith. “At just over 5 feet tall and less than 100 pounds, Keenan is a dynamo and an inspiration to any child, that the only thing which matters is the size of your determination, not your physical size,” continued Smith.
“Being proud of Keenan’s performances at Zone’s doesn’t even begin to describe how we all feel about how Keenan did,” said Riptides’ head coach James Smith. “At just over 5 feet tall and less than 100 pounds, Keenan is a dynamo and an inspiration to any child, that the only thing which matters is the size of your determination, not your physical size,” continued Smith.
Another first for the Grand Strand came from Megan Kingsley (13-14) who competed in the 200meter Butterfly. Kingsley was one of five girls to break the meet record, swimming a 2:20.7.
“Megan is a great all-around swimmer and is competitive in virtually all strokes and distances, but she just loves the 200 butterfly. Her time of 2:20 should keep her in the Top-10 in the United States in her age-group,” said Smith.
Earlier in the week, Kingsley finaled in the 200meter freestyle and was also an integral part of relays.
Lauren Campbell finaled in the 400meter freestyle and 200meter Individual Medley. Campbell also competed on the 200meter freestyle relay.
Lauren Campbell finaled in the 400meter freestyle and 200meter Individual Medley. Campbell also competed on the 200meter freestyle relay.
Said Smith, “We can always count on Lauren to get the swims done at the right time. She has a knack for coming from behind and finishing her races fast.” Smith added, “Lauren’s times in the 400meter free, 4:30, and 200meter IM, 2:26, qualify her to the NCSA Junior National Championships in March.”
“The goal remains Omaha 2012 – site of the US Olympic Swimming Trials,” commented Smith. “Keenan will be a freshman in college, but Lauren and Megan will still be with the Riptides. Making Trials would be a tremendous achievement, but all the girls are well on their way,” Smith continued.
“The goal remains Omaha 2012 – site of the US Olympic Swimming Trials,” commented Smith. “Keenan will be a freshman in college, but Lauren and Megan will still be with the Riptides. Making Trials would be a tremendous achievement, but all the girls are well on their way,” Smith continued.
Phil Mustert, in his final meet as an age-group swimmer, finaled in the 200- and 400meter freestyle events and competed on both Senior boys’ relays.
“Phil went out on a very high note. He earned 3 USA-S short-course Junior National qualifying times and has set himself up to do well at Emory University next fall”, Smith commented.
“Phil went out on a very high note. He earned 3 USA-S short-course Junior National qualifying times and has set himself up to do well at Emory University next fall”, Smith commented.
Smith continued, “It’s been a tough year for Phil, being the sole graduating Senior boy on our team, preparing for his entry into Emory University and training. But he stepped up when he needed to.”
“The entire Riptides’ organization is very proud of how the kids did in Orlando at Zones. They were able to put it all together at the right time and achieve things never done before and represented the Grand Strand with all the qualities indicative of our program,” Smith added.
Bateson Twins Dominate at Summer Swim League Championships
The City of Myrtle Beach held the Summer Swim League Championships August 1, 2009 at the Pepper Geddings Recreation Center. Fifteen Riptides’ swimmers competed in the annual event.
The City of Myrtle Beach held the Summer Swim League Championships August 1, 2009 at the Pepper Geddings Recreation Center. Fifteen Riptides’ swimmers competed in the annual event.
Chad and Eddie Bateson took the top-prize in all 8 of the 11-12 aged events.
“Chad and Eddie were outstanding,” said Myrtle Beach Riptides head coach James Smith. “Just last week, the boys competed at the 2009 SC Swimming Long-course State Championships and then had to prepare for this meet. Both boys were pretty psyched to do well and they did,” continued Smith.
The Riptides also had best performances from Andi Churchill, Connor Churchill, Ashlyn Dekleva, Dylan Duncan, Danielle Flaherty, Zary Gouin, Breah Harris, Mercedes Henry, Jack King, Sean King, Avery O’Connell, Megan Prouty and Daisy Rutherford.
Said Smith, “Our younger swimmers have learned so much and continue to show great improvement in their swimming. We still have a long way to go, but the future looks promising.”
The 2009 USA-Swimming Southern Zone Championships and City of Myrtle Beach Summer Swim League Championships mark the end of the inaugural season of the Myrtle Beach Riptides swimming team. Since its inception, the Riptides has stayed true to it’s core values to become one of South Carolina’s leaders in programming and performance and is recognized as one of the nation’s finest youth swimming programs.
The 2009 USA-Swimming Southern Zone Championships and City of Myrtle Beach Summer Swim League Championships mark the end of the inaugural season of the Myrtle Beach Riptides swimming team. Since its inception, the Riptides has stayed true to it’s core values to become one of South Carolina’s leaders in programming and performance and is recognized as one of the nation’s finest youth swimming programs.
