The Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center was packed with athletes, coaches and fans representing a total of 11 different schools for the Homer Invitational last week. The pool’s blue water was churned into froth, while shouted cheers and applause kept the 232 competitors pushing for excellence.
The Kodiak girls and boys teams each took first place, giving them a combined first-place team score of 232. The Mariner girls tied with Seward for seventh place and the boys placed fourth. The resulting combined team score put Homer High in seventh place with a score of 31.
“The meet was a big success,” said Homer Head Coach Scott Smith. “I wish I had the ability to compile the number of volunteer hours contributed by people to make a meet this size happen. Besides the kids who put in many great times, the volunteers are the heroes of the meet.”
Before competition in the pool began on Saturday, however, the four seniors on the Mariner swim team were recognized. Receiving hugs and handshakes from parents and the coach, Crystal Crane, Jenna Fabich, Cheyanne Smith and Thomas Vanek were honored.
“This was Homer’s first meet, due to the school closure for the fire alarm installation, where most of the other teams had already swum in two other meets,” said Smith. “I was very encouraged as our kids had many best times, at a time of the year where they are not in their peak physical ability.”
From first-year members of the team to those that Smith called “veteran elite,” the team gave solid performances.
“I’m really looking forward to the weeks ahead when they gain more experience in the competition area with other teams,” said Smith.
The team’s three first-year swimmers — Fabich, Crane and Jarrett Richburg — “had truly excellent swims,” said Smith. “To Homer’s elite Greg Smith, Lauren Kuhns and everyone in between, the Mariners have a lot to be proud of. Everyone had highlight swims. I’m really proud of the team.”
This week, the Mariners travel to Kodiak for two dual meets.
“Kodiak is a high quality swim community and team,” said Smith. “They will produce many top state performers this year, so it is a chance to be able to share a good competitive experience with some of the best swimmers in the state.”
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
2014 Homer Invite
Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center
Sept. 4-6
Team scores
Girls: 1. Kodiak, 88; 2. Soldotna, 76; 3. Colony, 59; 4. Valdez, 43; 5. Palmer, 30; 6. Kenai, 22; 7. Homer, 6; 7. Seward, 6.
Boys: 1. Kodiak, 144; 2. Colony, 70; 3. Soldotna, 55; 4. Homer, 25; 5. Palmer, 17; 6. Kenai, 12; 7. Wasilla, 4; 8. Valdez, 3.
Combined: 1. Kodiak, 232; 2. Soldotna, 131; 3. Colony, 129; 4. Palmer, 47; 5. Valdez, 46; 6. Kenai, 34; 7. Homer, 31; 8. Seward, 6; 9. Wasilla, 4.
Event scores (Homer High School)
Girls 200 yard medley relay: 7. Team of Aurora Shadle, Angie Cardoza, Lauren Kuhns and Cheyanne Smith, 2:11.87
Boys 200 yard medley relay: 5. Team of Greg Smith, Griffin Downey, Leo Castellani and Remi Nagle, 1:53.02.
Girls 200 yard freestyle: 3. Lauren Kuhns, 2:14.15.
Boys 200 yard freestyle: 8. Remi Nagle, 2:04.87; 10. Leo Castellani, 2:07.94; 17. Thomas Vanek, 2:25.59.
Girls 200 yard IM: 9. Aurora Shadle, 2:42.21.
Boys 200 yard IM: 9. Griffin Downey, 2:27.01.
Girls 50 yard freestyle: 7. Cheyanne Smith, 28:61; 17. Jenna Fabich, 32.70; 25. Crystal Crane, 38.59.
Boys 50 yard freestyle: 16. Thomas Vanek, 28:53; 25. Jarrett Richburg, 36.23; 26. Hayden Chase, 40.93.
Girls 1 meter diving: 5. Annali Metz, 119.25; 6. Kimberly Bales, 97.63.
Boys 1 meter diving: 2. Ian Hall, 174.25; 4. Ren Carrol, 162.95; 6. Daniel Weist, 118.25.
Boys 100 yard butterfly: 4. Greg Smith, 1:00.85; 8. Leo Castellani, 1:08.18; 16. Zach Nelson, 1:38.29.
Girls 100 yard freestyle: 17. Angie Cardoza, 1:14.85; 19. Jenna Fabich, 1:17.98; 25. Crystal Crane, 1:28.72.
Boys 100 yard freestyle: 5. Remi Nagle, 55.17; 22. Jarrett Richburg, 1:25.64; 24. Hayden Chase, 1:33.90.
Girls 500 yard freestyle: 12. Cheyanne Smith, 7:00.24.
Boys 500 yard freestyle: 16. Hale Wilkinson, 7:30.97.
Boys 200 yard freestyle relay: 13. Team of Thomas Vanek, Jarrett Richburg, Hayden Chase and Hale Wilkinson, 2:13.55.
Girls 100 yard backstroke: 7. Aurora Shadle, 1:12.88.
Boys 100 yard backstroke: 4. Greg Smith, 1:02.29; 14. Zach Nelson, 1:20.70.
Girls 100 yard breaststroke: 7. Lauren Kuhns, 1:21.76; 9. Angie Cardoza, 1:26.55.
Boys 100 yard breaststroke: 7. Griffin Downey, 1:13.51.
Girls 400 yard freestyle relay: 7. Team of Cheyanne Smith, Aurora Shadle, Angie Cardoza and Lauren Kuhns, 4:29.97.
Boys 400 yard freestyle relay: 5. Team of Greg Smith, Griffin Downey, Leo Castellani and Remi Nagle, 3:49.40.
