Starks makes Waves at Sectionals!

Sam Starks, from the National group, was the lone swimmer who qualified for the CA/NV Gold Sectional meet, and so traveled with Coach Brad down to Santa Clarita to compete with over 800 top athletes from all of California and Nevada last weekend. This was Sam's first experience traveling to this high-level meet, and he did a great job representing our team and had a phenomenal individual performance. The team really rallied around Sam, showing a great outpouring of support as the swimmers wrote notes and letters wishing Sam good luck, and a few of the swimmers even made some great posters to show their support for Sam! I was extremely impressed with the amount of team spirit.

At the meet, Sam swam 3 individual events - 200 breaststroke, 400 IM, and 200 IM. We also had the opportunity to swim two exhibition time trial events, and Sam competed in the 200 backstroke and the 100 breaststroke. Sam ended up going 5 for 5 best times! A perfect meet! He had 3 outstanding performances in the 200 backstroke (where he dropped over 8 seconds), the 400 IM (a 7 second drop), and the 200 IM (a 2.5 second drop)! His breaststroke races were also new best times.

In addition to his great swims, Sam was able to put his skills on display for several college swim coaches while at this meet, which I am sure will help him as he begins his planning for his college search!

Congratulations to Sam on a fantastic meet!

Go Waves!