Seven Sweet Home Swim Club athletes are headed for the 11 and Over State Championships this weekend at Amazon Pool in Eugene, two of them having just swum at the Speedo Long Course Senior Sectionals at Mt. Hood Community College July 16-20.
Jayce Calhoon and Kieran Schaefer both swam in the sectionals, which included swimmers from 16 western states.
Calhoon, 16, swam the 100 and 200 backstroke and the 200 intermediate medley, with a highest placing of 39th, Coach Junia Calhoon, who is also his mother, said.
“He didn’t go his best times at his meet,” she said. “I’m hoping another week of tapering will help with state this weekend.”
Schaefer swam the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle at the sectionals, swimming consistent times, but not his best, Calhoon said.
“I’m anxious to see what happens with another week of rest,” she said.
Other swimmers headed for the state meet this weekend are: Naomi Gunselman, 13, who will be swimming the 100 and 200 butterfly events; Michael Simmonds, 16, who will swim the 400 medley and 400 freestyle relays; Gabriel Gunselman, 15, who barely missed barely missed the cut in the 100 and 200 fly events, and will swim the two relays; Zac Pearce, 14, who will swim five events – the two relays, the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke; and Joel Gunselman, 18, who will compete on both relay teams.
To make the junior nationals meet, which will be held in Minneapolis, Minn., swimmers have to clock qualifying times at the state meet.
“We have a good shot,” Junia Calhoon said.
Two Sweet Home club swimmers competed July 12-13 in the 10 and Under Long Course State Championships in Albany. Esther Gunselman, 10, swam the 50 and 100 butterfly events. Lucy Davis, 9, posted personal bests in all five events she swam., the 200 freestyle, the 100 backstroke, the 100 breastroke, the 100 freestyle and the 50 backstroke.