The Salem and Glenvar swim teams will be at the Gator Center in Roanoke Saturday to compete in the annual “All-Timesland Invitational” meet.
The huge meet includes schools throughout the Roanoke Valley and beyond as they jam into the Gator Center for some excellent competition.
Salem swam against Patrick Henry High School last Wednesday at the Kirk Family YMCA. It was a great chance for the Spartans to swim against some really good competition. The PH girls are the defending state champs and the boys are very talented as well.
Salem’s boys were defeated with a final score of 96-74.
“It was a pretty close meet and came down to them being able to get a couple more wins than us as well as finishing 2nd, and 3rd on the events we did win,” said Salem coach Jake Van Roekel.
Highlights from the meet included the team of Jake Bowery, Shayom Debopadhaya, Nick Lawson, and Jake Lawson winning the 400 free relay in a time of 3:55.68. Jake Lawson won the 50 free in a time of 23.40 and placed 2nd in the 500 free in a very close race, finishing in 4:43.05.
Nick Lawson won the 100 free in 54.08 and was followed closely by Ben Shenal, who took 2nd in the event in a time of 55.16. Nick also placed 2nd in the 200 free in a time of 1:57.50. Debopadhaya also took 2nd in both of his events, finishing 2nd in the 200 IM in 2:10.08 and the 100 Back in 59.86.
For the girls, Salem fell to PH wi
th a final score of 129- 41.
Ellyn Anama, Anna Clare Fleenor, McKenna Habeeb, and Sandy James took 2nd in the 200 Medley relay in a time of 2:02.23. Fleenor placed 1st in the 200 Free in a time of 2:02.33 and took 3rd in the 100 Free in 56. 96.
“These are both under the State Qualifying time, so she has qualified for states in these events as well as the 200 IM,” said Van Roekel.
James placed 3rd in the 200 IM in a time of 2:37.70, and Anama placed 3rd in the 50 Free in 27.04.
“This was a very talented team that we competed against,” said Van Roekel. “I would have liked to have seen the score be closer than it was, but overall I thought there was a lot of effort from our team. We need to continue to learn how to race, no matter who our competition is, and have a competitive mindset.”
The Glenvar team participated in the Annual “Swim for a Cure” meet at Hollins University last Friday. James River has sponsored this invitational meet for the past five years.
The Glenvar boys placed 2nd overall with some notable swims from Alec Thompson, who placed 2nd in the 50 free. Daulton Palmer placed 3rd in the 100 free and Zach placed 3rd in the 200 and 500 free. Austin Whitlow placed 3rd in the 200 IM and 100 breast.
“This was the highest place finish for our boys team,” said coach Keith Gaines.
The girls were third of six despite missing some swimmers. Carly Griffith placed 1st in the 50 free and 100 back and Cassie Wheeler placed 1st in the 200IM and 100 breast stroke.
The team was scheduled to be at the Kirk YMCA for Senior Night on Wednesday.