.png)
Glacier Swim Club strong in state championship meet
- Klas Stolpe
- May 1
- 12 min read
Team fares well in final club swims in Anchorage
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
Juneau’s Glacier Swim Club traveled to their final meet of the season last week, making an impression in the Alaska Swimming State Championships at Anchorage’s Bartlett High School Pool on April 23-26.
“We had an excellent showing at our state competition. Now we take a week off before we get right back to it,” GSC coach Daemon Vargas said. “The end of the regular season gives way to the beginning of the long course season. Unfortunately, with only one long-course pool in the state we only have one meet to attend. The summertime is a bit of a lull period for the program. Many athletes will go on vacation or dip into other activities, which gives me the time to revise my training plan for the fall season beginning in September. My hope is that next year I can put together a training trip for our athletes so we have an opportunity to make the most of the summer months and compete at more long-course meets.”
The GSC boys placed second to the Chugiak Aquatics Club, out of 18 teams, and the GSC girls placed third behind CAC and Northern Lights Swim Club, among 16 teams. In all combined age groups across both genders, CAC placed first with 5,765 points and GSC second with 2,659, among 20 teams. CAC placed first in average performance points per swimmer among 20 teams, Viking Swim Club second, Baranof Barracuda third, Stingray Swim Team fourth, Ketchikan Killer Whales fifth, Midnight Sun Swim Team sixth, Valdez Torpedoes Swim Club seventh and GSC eighth. GSC was second in points scored, behind CAC and second in total medals (25) behind CAC (36).
“I was really happy with my performance in the 100 back even though I added time,” said GSC’s Liam Kiessling, 16. “It takes practice and determination to swim that race as it consumes some of the most energy out of any of the other races.”
Kiessling made the podium (top three) in eight events. Like many of the older swimmers, he will be training all summer for the start of the high school season in September.
“I’m going into this summer with more motivation as I was unhappy with a majority of my performances at state this year,” Kiessling said. “I will be attending any meet hosted by GSC and will be attending a camp down south to further push myself and improve.”
GSC’s Cora Soboleff, 14, was the only GSC swimmer to be in the top three for an age group (13-14) in total points scored, despite numerous swimmers winning multiple races or placing in the top three in events. Soboleff totaled a score of 132 with 474.1 points for second behind CAC’s Natalie Shaw (126 / 635.9) and ahead of Stingray Swim Team’s Leilani Fant (123 / 644.4). Soboleff won five golds and two bronze placings. Her marks also placed her ninth among all swimmers, boys or girls, at the meet.
“To me, personally, winning high point is an opportunity to stand with your friends who you raced against and be proud of each other,” Soboleff said. “High point is motivation throughout the meet to try your best, working to try and improve your times and swim your best…I am proudest of swimming the mile. I had a harder race last time in Seattle and getting to come back and swim stronger in it really is a reminder that each race is its own adventure…After most swim meets I feel I gain a new confidence to swim and pursue through hard practices. Seeing my swim friends around the state helps me find how the swim community is here for you through it all. This summer I am hoping to get the opportunity to swim at Western Zones again, that is my hope! I would love to see my fellow Alaskan swimmers once again this summer.”
CAC’s Lelaina Trembath, 16, topped the total girls scoring with a 140 scored and 680.1 points, winning 10 golds and one silver, and was highest scoring among all swimmers.
GSC’s Kaden Aldrich, 14, was eighth among all boys with a score of 127 and 734.4 points, and won three golds, four silvers and three bronze. Ketchikan Killer Whales’ Roman Olsen, 12, topped the boys with a 140 score and 946.9 points, winning seven golds, two silvers and two bronze. He placed third overall among all swimmers. CAC’s Blake Fazio, 18, was the second boy and fourth overall with a 137 score and 777.4 points, winning 10 golds and one silver.
GSC’s Valerie Peimann, 17, placed first in the 200 backstroke in a personal best time of 2:03.80. She also placed first in the 50 back, 100 back and 200 individual medley, second in the 100 breast and was on the second-place 400 free relay and the third-place 200 FR. Peimann placed eighth in the 15-19 high point with a 97 score and 772 points, teammate Amy Liddle was fourth with a 113 score and 638.1 points.
“The 200 back is my favorite race to swim,” Peimann said. “I love how it requires a lot of endurance and mental toughness. I have been trying to break 2:04 for the past year or so and I was ecstatic when I saw the time on the board…Heading into summer I am planning to do a lot of cross-training and taking advantage of the weather. I love hiking, trail running and open water swimming in Auke Lake. I’m really looking forward to swimming in college next year, and that excitement motivates me to keep training and pushing through the summer. Right now I have no plans for any meets this summer.”
GSC’s Levi Phelps, 15, had a full slate of events as well and was part of four podium relay teams.
“I think the 400 medley relay went the best for our team,” Phelps said. “My opening 50 of the 100 fly felt strong — I started with a 25.43. In the second 50, though, I began to feel more tired, and my stroke felt choppy instead of smooth like the first half. I was still able to close it out with a 30.87 for a total time of 56.30. I did add some time, but overall I’d say it was a decent race.”
In individual events, Phelps did not podium but planned to rectify his results.
“Working hard at just one practice a week is not going to get you where you want to be — consistency is key,” Phelps said. “I did not enjoy how this year played out, but I am going to come back stronger, faster and better as a person next year. Having a down year is the motivation I need to give it my all in training this summer and push toward state next season.”
Phelps was still within seconds of his personal best times in numerous swims.
The success of the meet for swimmers is not only winning or hitting personal best times but, more importantly, attempting to do so among friendly competition.
“I dropped time in every event I swam,” said GSC’s Keagan Andrews, 15. “Oh gosh, no state records. Best times, though. I had best times in everything I swam. It was super fun. My first state championship meet and I am really glad that I went. It was kind of a last-minute thing that my mom had me do, but I appreciate it. It was just really fun. And it is really fun to be on the Glacier Swim Club. It is a good community. I think I have said this before, but there is someone for everyone. Just a great community. We have great coaches and people who care.”
The GSC boys 12U 400 medley relay team of Austin Treston, Keenan Phelps, Sam Thatcher and Oliver Albrecht placed second in their swim with a 4:36.20. That time is a new team record.
“I have been training hard at practices and breaking 30 seconds during the 50-meter sprints,” Treston said. “I attended six practices a week and woke up early twice a week to go to dry land practices before school. I also limited the amount of candy and sweets I ate since January. I usually try to reduce my candy intake before age groups, which is in February, and maintained that all the way through this meet.”
In the early April home Savannah Cayce Southeast Champs meet, Treston, Thatcher, Molly Woodruff and Grace Propsum set state records in the mixed 200 free relay and mixed 200 MR.
Treston said his goal now is to continue his practice routine and noted, “I like to ride my bike and go on runs with my dog in the summer. My goal is to eat more protein and do pull-ups this summer to get stronger.”
Many of the GSC swimmers will be participating in their annual Aqualaps Swimathon fundraiser on Sunday at Augustus Brown Pool. The start time is 7 a.m. The GSC Annual Award Banquet is at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, at Chapel by the Lake, Smith Hall.
GSC INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Oliver Albrecht (12), boys 12 and Under/11-19 age group (100 Breast 5th 1:20.19; 50 Free 6th 27.47; 50 Back 6th 33.65; 100 Fr 8th 1:02.96; 50 Fly 7th 32.73; 100 IM 5th 1:10.93).
Gabriel Aldrich (16), boys 19U/15-19 (50 Fr 45th 25.77; 100 Fly 18th 1:01.34; 50 Bk 14th 28.87; 100 Bk 18th 1:04.76; 50 Fly 24th 27.61).
Kaden Aldrich (14), boys 19U/11-19 (50 Fr 2nd 22.19; 200 Bk 3rd 2:10.75; 400 IM 1st 4:25.14; 100 Fly 2nd 53.72; 100 Fr 1st 48.69; 100 Bk 2nd, 56.91; 200 Fr 1st 1:49.31).
Sarah Anderson (15), girls 19U/11-19 (100 breast 26th 1:24.58; 50 free 57th 29.10; 50 back 35th 33.99; 100 free 58th 1:06.87; 50 fly 28th 30.26)
Keegan Andrews (15), boys 19U/11-19 (50 free 39th 25.48; 50 breast 13th 31.04; 100 free 31st 54.39; 200 IM 16th 2:24.91; 100 IM 11th 1:01.80; 200 free 32nd 2:08
29)
Coleen Chuidian (12), girls 12U/11-19 (50 free 10th 29.28; 50 breast 4th 36.07; 100 fly 2nd 1:09.09; 200 IM 4th 2:35.64; 100 back 1st 1:08.38; 50 fly 2nd 30.30; 100 IM 2nd 1:08.90)
Maia Cole-Undurraga (11), girls 12U/11-19 (100 breast 17th 1:36.46; 200 back 5th 2:45.96; 50 back 14th 37.30; 100 back 13th 1:18.97; 50 free (time trial) 5th 31.64; 50 fly (time trial) 1st 38.98)
Reid Cummings (12), boys 12U/11-19 (50 Free 14th 29.64; 50 breast 9th 41.93; 200 back 5th 2:33.75; 50 Back 7th 33.75; 100 Fr 13th 1:03.34; 500 free 6th 6:13.13; 100 back 8th 1:14.90).
Joshua Edwards (17), boys 19U/11-19 (100 breast 7th 1:03.79; 50 breast 10th 29.37; 100 fly 4th 53.54; 200 IM 3rd 2:03.90; 200 breast 2nd 2:19.87; 200 free 9th 1:53.77)
Joshua Ely (14), boys 14U/11-19 (50 free 30th 27.44; 100 free 26th 59.98; 200 IM 11th 2:37.86; 50 fly 25th 31.73; 200 free 19th 2:13.58)
Bailey Fisher (17), girls 19U/11-19 (50 free 12th 25.67; 200 fly 22nd 1:08.30; 100 free 13th 57.44; 500 free 7th 5:47.90; 50 fly 27th 29.95; 100 IM 36th 1:12.93; 200 free 14th 2:09.43)
Katya Foy (15), girls 50 free 17th 26.41; 200 back 11th 2:20.86; 50 back 14th 29.40; 100 free 42nd 1:01.29; 200 IM 11th 2:25.20; 100 back 12th 1:04.27; 100 IM 14th 1:06.53)
Lily Frances (17), girls 50 free 3rd 24.6; 50 back 10th 28.64; 100 free 10th 56.60; 100 back 10th 1:03.11; 50 fly 13th 28.54; 200 free 13th 2:07.76)
Liam Kiessling (16), boys (200 back 3rd 2:01.59; 100 fly 3rd 52.79; 50 back 3rd 24.60; 200 IM 2nd 2:02.87; 100 back 3rd 53.94; 50 fly 5th 23.89; 200 free 6th 1:52.72)
Amy Liddle (16), girls (200 fly 3rd 2:15.49; 400 IM 3rd 4:48.95; 100 fly 3rd 59.23; 200 IM 2nd 2:11.84; 50 fly 4th 27.00; 100 IM 2nd 1:00.52; 200 free 3rd 1:59.33)
Madeline Rose Manlulu (15), girls (100 breast 13th 1:15.06; 50 free 32nd 27.11; 50 breast 8th 33.95; 50 back 21st 31.73; 100 free 34th 1:00.08; 50 fly 19th 29.7; 100 IM 16th 1:07.02)
Kennedy Miller (16), girls (100 breast 6th 1:10.45; 50 free 20th 26.50; 50 breast 3rd 32.17; 100 fly 9th 1:01.36; 50 fly 5th 27.06; 200 breast 2nd 2:32.13)
Val Peimann (17), girls (100 breast 2nd 1:06.37; 200 back 1st 2:03.80; 50 back 1st 26.79; 200 IM 1st 2:08.00; 100 back 1st 57.67)
Gemma Peterson (12), girls (100 breast 6th 1:23.81; 50 breast 7th 37.94; 200 IM 10th 2:42.52; 500 free 6th 6:31.44; 200 breast 5th 2:59.96; 100 IM 8th 1:17.57; 200 free 9th 2:24.25)
Keenan Phelps (12), boys (100 breast 4th 1:19.49; 50 free 12th 28.82; 50 breast 5th 36.09; 100 free 14th 1:04.49; 200 IM 5th 2:37.59; 200 breast 3rd 2:54.21; 100 IM 7th 1:12.00)
Levi Phelps (15), boys (50 free 16th 23.75; 200 fly 5th 2:16.51; 100 fly 9th 56.76; 100 free 24th 53.26; 200 IM 11th 2:12.71; 50 fly 8th 25.64; 200 free 15th 1:56.22)
Grace Propsom (12), girls (50 free 2nd 27.34; 200 back 3rd 2:37.77; 50 back 1st 32.07; 100 free 3rd 1:00.32; 200 IM 9th 2:43.13; 100 back 3rd 1:11.08; 200 free 5th 2:17.18)
Maddox Rasmussen (16), girls (1650 free 6th 20:41.19; 200 back 13th 2:23.23; 500 free 9th 5:51.05; 100 back 20th 1:06.97; 200 free 18th 2:09.85; 1000 free 3rd 12:05.45)
Cerys Savikko (12), girls (100 breast 12th 1:28.34; 50 free 16th 30.71; 50 breast 17th 41.28; 50 back 10th 35.21; 100 free 14th 1:07.18; 100 IM 12th 1:17.29)
Avery Smith (16), girls (200 fly 4th 2:24.05, 200 back 7th 2:19.52; 400 IM 7th 5:07.24; 100 fly 11th 1:02.91; 200 IM 7th 2:25.50; 100 back 18th 1:06.36; 100 IM 17th 1:07.37)
Cora Soboleff (14), girls (1650 1st 19:47.82; 100 breast 3rd 1:13.11; 400 IM 1st 5:09.72; 200 IM 3rd 2:23.30; 500 free 1st 5:50.28; 200 breast 1st 2:37.85; 1000 free 1st 11:59.56)
Mateus Suarez (9), boys (50 free 12th 34.68; 50 breast 9th 48.41; 100 back 5th 1:25.33; 50 back 9th 38.94; 100 free 9th 1:16.92; 100 breast 2nd 1:38.33; 100 IM 6th 1:26.00)
Matisse Suarez (11), girls (400 IM 6th 5:51.87; 100 fly 6th 1:17.15; 50 back 11th 36.57; 200 IM 12th 2:48.11; 100 back 9th 1:17.07; 200 breast 10th 3:12.41; 100 IM 15th 1:18.08)
Anabelle Sullivan (12), girls (50 free 17th 31.03; 50 back 2nd 32.49; 100 free 15th 1:07.25; 200 IM 13th 2:48.18; 100 back 6th 1:12.17; 50 fly 8th 33.06)
Kaelyn Szefler (17), girls (50 free 33rd 27.13; 100 fly 14th 1:04.20; 50 back 25th 32.14; 100 free 29th 59.62; 100 back 22nd 1:08.63; 50 fly 26th 29.84; 100 IM 29th 1:10.89)
Henry Thatcher (14), boys (100 breast 7th 1:12.85; 50 free 17th 26.08; 50 breast 5th 31.85; 100 free 12th 56.25; 500 free 7th 5:41.99; 200 breast 4th 2:42.32; 200 free 16th 2:12.13)
Sam Thatcher (12), boys (50 free 5th 26.91; 200 fly 1st 2:25.89; 400 IM 2nd 5:19.25; 100 fly 2nd 1:05.18; 100 free 3rd 58.10; 500 free 4th 5:59.46; 50 fly 2nd 29.32)
Charlotte Trigo (12), girls (50 free 20th 31.69; 100 free 21st 1:10.43; 100 back 11th 1:17.20)
Austin Treston (12), boys (1650 free 2nd 19:49.83; 200 back 3rd 2:23.85; 400 IM 1st 5:06.26; 100 free 5th 58.21; 500 free 3rd 5:37.10; 200 free 4th 2:05.71; 1000 free 1st 11:51.03)
Leon Ward (13), boys (50 free 35th 28.38; 100 free 27th 1:00.64; 50 fly 23rd 31.11)
Annabelle Woodruff (15), girls (50 free 23rd 26.70; 200 back 17th 2:26.15; 100 fly 7th 1:02.47; 50 back 23rd 31.95; 100 free 24th 59.26; 50 fly 5th 27.06; 200 free 22nd 2:14.83)
Molly Woodruff (12), girls (100 breast 2nd 1:15.52; 50 breast 2nd 33.61; 100 fly 1st 1:08.71; 100 free 2nd 59.94; 200 breast 2nd 2:45.54; 200 free 1st 2:09.46)
GSC BOYS RELAYS
12U “A” - 200 Medley Relay 2nd 2:07.54 (R. Cummings, O. Albrecht, S. Thatcher, A. Treston).
19U “B” - 200 MR 12th 1:56.11 (B - L. Ward, H. Thatcher, K. Andrews, G. Aldrich).
19U “A” - 200 MR - DQ (L. Kiessling, J. Edwards, L. Phelps, K. Aldrich).
12U “A” - 400 MR 2nd 4:36.20 (A. Treston, K. Phelps, S. Thatcher, O. Albrecht).
19U “A” - 400 MR 2nd 3:41.28 (A - L. Kiessling, J. Edwards, L. Phelps, K. Aldrich)
12U “A” - 200 Free Relay 2nd 1:49.24 (S. Thatcher, K. Phelps, O. Albrecht, A. Treston).
19U “B” - 200 FR 14th 1:40.42 (G. Aldrich, H. Thatcher, L. Ward, K. Andrews).
19U “A” - 200 FR 3rd 1:29.25 (K. Aldrich, J. Edwards, L. Phelps, L. Kiessling).
12U “A” - 400 FR 2nd 4:04.35 (S. Thatcher, O. Albrecht, K. Phelps, A. Treston).
19U “B” - 400 FR 14th 3:46.09 (K. Andrews, H. Thatcher, J. Ely, G. Aldrich)
19U “A” - 400 FR 3rd 3:19.27 (K. Aldrich, J. Edwards, L. Phelps, L. Kiessling).
GSC GIRLS RELAYS
12U “A” - 200 Medley Relay 2nd 2:08.55 (G. Propsom, M. Woodruff, C. Chuidian, A. Sullivan).
12U “B” - 200 MR 4th 2:19.36 (M. Cole-Undurraga, G. Peterson, M. Suarez, C. Savikko).
19U “B” - 200 MR 6th 1:59.28 (K. Foy, C. Soboleff, A. Woodruff, B. Fisher).
19U “C” - 200 MR 11th 203.26 (K. Szefler, M. Rose Manlulu, M. Rasmussen, S. Anderson).
19U “A” - 200 MR - DQ (L. Frances, V. Piemann, K. Miller, A. Liddle)
12U “A” - 400 MR 1st 4:48.11 (A. Sullivan, M. Woodruff, C. Chuidian, G. Propsom).
12U “B” - 400 MR 4th 5:14.43 (M. Cole-Und, G. Peterson, M. Suarez, C. Savikko).
19U “B” - 400 MR 5th 4:26.13 (A. Smith, C. Soboleff, A. Woodruff, K. Foy)
12U “A” - 200 Free Relay 2nd 1:52.78 (M. Woodruff, A. Sullivan, C. Chuidian, G. Propsom).
12U “B” - 200 FR 5th 2:02.26 (C. Trego, G. Peterson, M. Cole-Undurraga, C. Savikko).
19U “A” - 200 FR 3rd 1:3947 (B. Fisher, V. Peimann, A. Liddle, L. Francis).
19U “B” - 200 FR 7th 1:44.33 (K. Miller, K. Foy, M. Rose Manlulu, A. Woodruff)
19U “C” - 200 FR 11th 1:51.20 (C. Soboleff, S. Anderson, A. Smith, K. Szefler).
12U “A” - 400 FR 2nd 4:09.15 (G. Propsom, A. Sullivan, C. Chuidian, M. Woodruff).
12U “B” - 400 FR exhibition 4:34.98 (G. Peterson, M. Suarez, C. Trego, C. Savikko)
19U “A” - 400 FR 2nd 3:41.05 (A. Liddle, V. Peimann, B. Fisher, L. Francis).
19U “B” - 400 FR 7th 3:54.41 (K. Miller, A. Woodruff, K. Foy, K. Szefler).
19U “C” - 400 FR 14th 4:10.67 (A. Smith, M. Cole-Undurraga, S. Anderson, M. Rose Manlulu)
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@gmail.com.
%20(3).jpg)