SWAMIs Race to Wins at Kearns Meet

KEARNS, UT -- It was another strong performance for Race Swami at the 46th Annual Kearns Holiday Open at the Family Fitness Center in the western valley community. 

Amelia Wolfgramm, swimming "unattached" because of the high swimming season, raced to a number of victories in the 15 & Over age group, winning the 50, 100, 200 and 500 freestyles, along with the 100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, 200 backstroke, and 200 I.M. Amelia ended up with the Girls' 15 & Over high point award, given to those who finish with the most points per event they swim.

Autumn Wolfgramm (13-14) had a number of exceptional races, as did younger sister Fanetupou (11-12 age group), and at the end of the day they both finished 2nd in the high point standings in their respective age group. Autumn swam to first place finishes in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 100 back and 100 fly. Fanetupou broke a 1:00 for the first time in the 100 freestyle. She had impressive races in the 200 free, 100 I.M., and 100 fly as she took time off personal bests in just about everything she swam. 

"I had a lot of fun out there at this meet," Fane said. "We just love cheering for each other and I think it really gets me excited and nervous to swim fast when I know all my friends are cheering for me."

Blaire McDowell (11-12) also performed well for SWAMI once again although she is still listed as "unattached" due to the 120 day USA Swimming rule that requires swimmers to swim unattached before they are officially part of a club team. Blaire had best times in all but one event, and took as much as three to four seconds off of some of her races. Blaire finished 6th in the high point standings after finishing in the Top 8 in every event she swam except for one.

"I just love swimming!!" Blaire offered.

SWAMIs 10 & Unders also came out smoking, as Peyton Ledbetter (10-un girls) bested every entered time save the 50 fly and Zerin Wolfgramm (10-un boys) took more than 30 seconds off his 500 freestyle. Peyton had a pair of exceptional IM races, as she improved her time in the 200 IM by more than 6 seconds, and 1 second in the 100 IM. She also had a great performance in the 50 breast and 100 back.

Zerin finished 1st in the 10-UNDER high point standings and finished 1st in half of the events he entered. He took his high point award in stride. "Yeah, it was pretty cool. I think I can take another 40 seconds off my 500 free though, so I'll do better. I just need some pizza right now!"

Judge Memorial swimmer Alandra McDowell also was in the meet and though it wasn't an official award, won the "Iron Woman Award" for having swam both the 1000 freestyle and 1650 freestyle for having raced in both--in the same afternoon!

"Landra is so tough," Amelia (a fellow teammate at Judge) mentioned. "She brings it to every practice, and then she swims these races like they were sprints. I so respect her competitiveness and spirit. We're looking forward to getting back to the high school meets with Judge."

In all, the fledging club looked great at the Holiday Open and the kids look forward to the upcoming meets come the New year. "We all swam pretty good, but most of all, we had a lot of fun," said Peyton. "Happy New Year!"