Dayton Swimmers Wrap Up Season

DAYTON - While the Dayton Swim Team placed third out of seven teams competing in the Annual Jerry Cluckey Swim Meet on August 3, many personal best records were achieved. "It's not about the team get- ting first place," said Coach Rosy Nechodom. "Swimmers 'win' when they do their personal best, and that is exactly what the team did at the County Championship Meet."

Forty- three Dayton swimmers competed in 149 individual races. With up to 21 swimmers competing in each event, the fight to fin- ish in the top six and receive special recognition at the awards ceremony was quite a challenge. And yet, forty- one of the Dayton Swim Team members did just that.

The team also met Nechodom's one goal of the County Championship - that none of her relay teams be disqualified. Dayton was the only team without any disqualifications for their relay events and, in one race, took first place because they were the only team in that event not to be disqualified.

One of the highlights of the meet happened outside the pool rather than in it. It showcased the graciousness of the 13-14 year girls free relay team consisting of Katie White, Robin Kerekula, Taylor Hays and Genevieve Williams. The Dayton team finished second in the event, but was awarded the first place medal when the win- ning team was disqualified because one of their swimmers helped a teammate out of the water.

The Dayton girls disagreed with the disqualifi- cation and decided to give their first place medals to the other team. "These Dayton girls are champions," said Nechodom. "They won in life, not just some race. The reward they received is the pride for doing what they felt was the right thing. They didn't need a medal that will rust or get lost over time, anyway. They earned the respect of many, and that can last a very long time."

Nechedom contends that swim team is about far more than just swimming or win- ning. "Many valuable skills and life lessons were acquired this season, as our 13-14 year girls relay team demonstrated. They knew it wasn't about what place they got. The Dayton Swim Team learns it is about doing their best, encouraging others to do their best, cheering for everyone, not boasting when you win, and racing against the clock and one's personal best as opposed to their peers. With so many personal best records set, no relay team disqualifications, 41 swimmers receiving special recognition and a relay team sharing their gold medal with another team, what more could a coach ask for?" said Nechodom.

Fifty-seven swimmers received recognition at the Dayton Swim Team awards potluck held August 1. Over the course of the season, Dayton swimmers competed in 1,025 individual races, swimming a total of 31.25 miles at the meets. Special awards were given to swimmers who competed in the most events at meets. Swimmers competing in more than 86% of all events included: Kierra Milan, Elieriq and Jeaquel Cole, Alex Jenkins, Nicholas and Tabin McHaffie and Devin Milan. Devin was recog- nized for swimming 114% of the events for his age group because he chose to swim in events designed for older swimmers as well.

Most improved swim- mers were: Jeaquel Cole with 26.15 seconds im- proved, McKenzie Dobbs with 26.62 seconds, Tabin McHaffie with 31.58 sec- onds, Devin Milan with 41.60 seconds, Cierra Milan with 44.16 seconds, Elieriq Cole with 55.04 seconds, and Garrett Buffington with 112.07 seconds improved. The team as a whole improved 792.05 seconds dur- ing their regular season.

"We have had an amaz- ing season. I couldn't be more proud of my team. It has truly been my honor and pleasure coaching these kids this summer," said Necho- dom.