Riptides impress at Capital City Invite

MB Riptides impress in Capital City Invitational swim meet

The Myrtle Beach Riptides swim team travelled to Cary, NC for the Capital City Invitational June 11-13.  Seven members of the Riptides made the journey to the two-year old Triangle Aquatic Center.  The Riptides placed 8^th overall, leading all participating SC-based swim teams.  The Riptides garnered 36 personal best times, 21 new SC Swimming State Championship qualifying times, 20 team records and the admiration of many college coaches visiting the meet from the University of North Carolina, NC State, Duke University and Clemson University.

Chad Bateson, (11-12), earned 9 best times, 8 new SCS q-times and 4 team records in the 50- and 100-meter breaststrokes and 100- and 200-meter freestyle events.

Eddie Bateson, (11-12), earned 9 best times, 8 new SCS q-times and 4 team records in the 50- and 100-backstroke events, 200-m Individual Medley (IM) and 400-m freestyle.

Garrett Beauprez, (11-12), earned 2 best times, 4 new SCS q-times and 3 team records in the 50-m free and 50- and 100-m butterfly events.

Head coach of the Riptides, James Smith, said of the 12/Under boys, “I was very impressed with their swimming this weekend.  The boys have been working very hard this season and facing some very difficult training.  But the work is worth the reward.”

Julia Campbell, (13-14), earned 6 personal best times, including a team-leading 21-second improvement in the 1500-meter freestyle.  Campbell returned to Finals in the 100- and 200-butterfly events.

Lauren Campbell, (Senior), returned to Finals in 5 events.  Campbell swam well, earning a personal best time in the 200-butterfly.

Megan Kingsley, (13-14), earned 9 personal best times and 9 team records.  Kingsley had especially great swims in the 200- and 400-IM events, 200-backstroke and butterfly events, barely missing the USA-Swimming Summer Junior National Championship q-time.  Kingsley also earned the 13-14 highpoint award.

Keenan Lineback, (Senior), returned to Finals in four events.  Lineback was just off of her best times in most events and did earn a best time in the 200-butterfly.

“The girls competed in their first prelims-Finals formatted event of the summer,” said Smith.  “It was a tough meet, with so many events to do in such a short period of time, but they did very well.”

For Smith, the biggest compliment came from several of the collegiate coaches who were enjoying the meet.

“The college coaches who were there were very taken by the technique displayed by the girls.  Some of the skills demonstrated by the girls were far superior to the college-aged swimmers and so the coaches would ask how we have developed the skills to become habits,” said Smith.

At this time of the year, the older swimmers of the Riptides can train between 6 and 10 times per week.  As part of their summer training, more pool time and/or strength sessions are added to the normal regiment in order to improve strength and conditioning.

“When most kids are enjoying their summer off, Riptides’ swimmers are doubling up on their training,” commented Smith.

 
“Our swimmers have set lofty goals.  They want to set the bar for competitive swimming along the Grand Strand.  And considering the results, they are achieving everything they have set out to do,” continued Smith.