Kachemak Kings slip by Soldotna Silver Salmon

The Kachemak Swim Club Kings outswam Soldotna to win the Turkey Time Invitational 504 to 408 points during Friday-Saturday competition at the Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center. Third place was secured by the Peninsula Piranhas with 149 points. The Anchorage YMCA also participated.

Meet highlights include the following:

Competing in their first swim meet: Jai Badajos, Olivia Etzwiler, Kera Jones, Mattie Moyer, Jerrin Norcross;

100 percent individual PRs: Jamen Anderson, Gabriel Bales, Adeline Berry, Briar Boyd, Bethany Engebretsen, Aria Hill, Piper Kassouni, Walden Kraszeski, Eric Matthews, Hayden Milliken, Jakob Nelson, Luke Nelson, Skyler Rodriguez;

100 percent relay PRs: Ethan Benedetti, Theodore Castellani, Griffin Downey, Bethany Engebretsen, Aria Hill, Bristol Johnson, McKensey Johnson, Walden Kreszeski, Brianna Miller, Lucas Nollar, John Roedl, Willem Strydom, Selah Weisser;

100 percent individual and relay PRs: Bethany Engebretsen, Aria Hill, Walden Kreszeski;

Individual event winners: Clayton Arndt, Jaclyn Arndt, Briar Boyd, Theodore Castellani, Griffin Downey, Iris Downey, Kane Graham, Lauren Kuhns, Nathan Overson, Sailey Rhodes, John Roedl, Madison Story, Wynand Strydom;

New Alaska Age Group Champion-ships qualifying times: Kaylin Anderson, Clayton Arndt, Ethan Benedetti, Theodore Castellani, Griffin Downey, Iris Downey, Bristol Johnson, Hartley Miller, Carly Nelson, Luke Nelson, Nathan Overson, Sailey Rhodes, Madison Story;

New Alaska Junior Olympic Championships qualifying times: Clayton Arndt, Griffin Downey, Lauren Kuhns, Carly Nelson, John Roedl, Wil Roedl;

New Great Alaskan Open qualifying times: John Roedl;

Minute Club (breaking 60 seconds in the 100 freestyle) inductees: Griffin Downey (57.94).

Special meet awards

•Team spirit: Jake Nelson cheered vociferously from ends and sides of the pool;

• Sportsmanship: Piper Kassouni raced aggressively and congratulated her competitors;

•Meet help: Clayton Arndt set up, collected data and fixed computer problems;

•Relay Big: Ethan Benedetti anchored the 200 medley (28.92) and 200 free (28.72) relays with blistering performances, dropped approximately five seconds on each occasion and had precision relay exchanges;

•Swimmer of the meet: Aria Hill for her team-first attitude, dropping three seconds in the 25 back (31.71), dropping 11 seconds in the 25 free (30.99); dropping 25 seconds in the 50 free (1:05.09), and dropping 12 and 8 seconds, respectively, leading off (29.25) and anchoring (32.03) the 8-and-under 100 free relay.

The Kings compete in the Candy Cane Invitational in Seward, Dec. 6. 

KSC is a nonprofit youth sports organization that practices in the Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center and competes around the state. Anyone age 6 or older who can swim the width of the pool in freestyle and backstroke is encouraged to try out.

For information, contact Neil Romney at neilromney@gmail.com or 405-795-3392, or visit the club website at ksc.tundratechnologies.com.

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