Juneau’s Open Water swim series ends with four champions

Miller, Kirk, Lacey, Wheeler win age group titles across six races in six weeks

Participants in the Glacier Swim Club 2026 Open Water Series pose for a photo after swimming in the season finale race at Auke Lake on Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Photo courtesy Scott Griffith)

By Klas Stolpe  

Juneau Independent

The Glacier Swim Club's roughly month-long 2026 Open Water Series on Juneau’s Auke Lake ended on Saturday. The final series point totals saw Giselle Miller, John Kirk, Jeannette Lacey and Marc Wheeler earn age group championships among 27 competitors.

This was the fourth year of the GSC-sponsored series. It was founded by former GSC coach Scott Griffith to create more interest in open water swimming and keep the GSC masters swimmers in the water. Swimmers are awarded points based on finishing placings in each of six series races.

“It is special because it has to be one of the most scenic open water swims anywhere,” race director Griffith said. “And you have to be tough…cold dark water, often raining. Anyone can compete if you can remain composed in the conditions. This year was probably the coldest average water temperature. It also is a great way for people to prepare for the Aukeman, Change Your Latitude open water swims in Sitka, or other triathlons.”

Miller won the female 16-49 age group with 18 total points accrued in four of the six races.

Kirk won the male 16-49 age group with 14 points accrued in three races.

Lacey won the female 50-99 age group with 27 points accrued across all six races. She also was the only competitor across all genders and age groups to finish all six.

Wheeler won the male 50-99 age group with 24 points accrued in five races.

The six races were #1 - 6/20/26 - 1000 meter time trial; #2 - 6/27/26 - 1000m; #3 - 7/5/26 - 1500m; #4 - 7/11/26 -  4a 500m or 4b 2000m; #5 - 7/18/26 - 4a 1000m or 4b 2500m; #6 - 7/25/26 - 4a 1500m or 4b 3000m.

It was noted that the final race in the series (#6 - July 25 - 3000m) was won by Colorado’s Steve Zawaski, who had the fastest time across all genders and age groups. It was also noted that 14-year-old Cora Soboleff won two races (#2 - 6/27 - 1000m, and #3 - 7/5 - 1500m) with the fastest time across all genders and age groups, without a wetsuit.

Racers must be 16 or older unless they are year-round swimmers or have open water experience.

Participants in the Glacier Swim Club 2026 Open Water Series pose for a photo after swimming in the second race at Auke Lake on Saturday, June 25, 2026. (Photo courtesy Scott Griffith)

Following are the age group race results (name, total points, race number/time/points).

FEMALE 16-49

Giselle Miller, 18 total points. #1 - 18:10 - 6pts; #2 - 16:56 - 3pts; #5a - 17:48 - 6pts; #6b - 56:07 - 3pts.

Kim Campbell, 17 TP. #1 - 20:18 - 4pts; #2 - 17:56 - 1pt; #4b - 44:24 - 4pts; #5b - 52:58 - 6pts; #6b - 1:02:26 - 2pts.

Emily Haskell, 14 TP. #2 - 15:07 - 4pts; #3 - 24:08 - 4pts; #6b - 49:00 - 6pts.

Abbey Cummings, 13 TP. #3 - 24:18 - 3pts; #4b - 32:33 - 6pts; #6b - 51:09 - 4pts.

Cora Soboleff, 12 TP. #2 - 14:12 - 6pts; #3 - 23:11 - 6pts.

Corinne Bullick, 12 TP. #1 - 21:11 - 3pts; #2 - 19:43 - 1pt; #3 - DNF; #4b - 44:24 - 4pts; #5b - 53:30 - 4pts.

Ruth Kostik, 9 TP. #5a - 21:41 - 3pts; #6a - 34:17 - 6pts.

Ila Mannino, 6 TP. #4a - 13:22 - 6pts.

April Rezendes, 4 TP. #5a - 20:48 - 4pts.

Alisha Falberg, 4 TP. #2 - 17:02 - 2pts; #6b - 56:41 - 2pts.

MALE 16-49

John Kirk, 14 TP. #1 - 16:16 - 4pts; #3 - 24:50 - 6pts; #6b - 53:16 - 4pts.

Tommy Vrabec, 13 TP. #1 - DNF; #4b - 28:50 - 4pts; #5b - 47:22 - 6pts; #6b - 58:52 - 3 pts.

Andrew Ferris, 10 TP. #3 - 26:48 - 4pts; #5b - 35:44 - 6pts.

Mason Emery, 6 TP. #1 - 14:00 - 6pts.

Steve Zawaski, 6 TP. #6b - 41:59 - 6pts.

FEMALE 50-99

Jeannette Lacey, 27 TP. #1 - 24:29 - 4pts; #2 - 23:01 - 6pts; #3 - 36:11 - 4pts; #4a - 12:09 - 6pts; #5a - 24:57 - 4pts; #6a - 37:08 - 3pts.

Cathy Tide, 16 TP. #4b - 41:15 - 4pts; #5b - 46:55 - 6pts; #6b - 56:35 - 6pts.

Michele Shirakura, 13 TP. #2 - 22:26 - 4pts; #3 - 39:16 - 3pts; #4a - 13:02 - 4pts; #6a - 37:22 - 2pts.

Jeanette Gann, 12 TP. #1 - 18:46 - 6pts; #4b - 40:38 - 6pts.

Melanie White, 12 TP. #3 - 34:11 - 6pts; #6a - 34:46 - 6pts.

Lisa Jones, 10 TP. #5a - 22:15 - 6pts; #6a - 36:03 - 4pts.

Lisa Eagan zlagerquist, 4 TP. #4a - 13:53 - 3pts; #6a - 37:39 - 1pt.

MALE 50-99

Marc Wheeler, 24 TP. #1 - 18:57 - 6pts; #2 - 17:04 - 4pts; #3 - 29:35 - 4pts; #4b - 39:08 - 4pts; #6a -28:32 - 6pts.

Ken Platt, 16 TP. #2 - 18:17 - 3pts; #3 - 28:41 - 6pts; #4b - 39:17 - 3pts; #6a - 29:07 - 4pts.

Chris Krenz, 12 TP. #2 - 13:10 - 6pts; #4b - 29:25 - 6pts.

Jim Grammel, 12 TP. #5b - 47:42 - 6pts; #6b - 59:08 - 6pts.

Jeff Sauer, 9 TP. #1 - 24:40 - 4pts; #4b - 52:42 - 2pts; #6a - 36:52 - 3pts.

In the photo above and below, two swimmers compete in the Glacier Swim Club 2026 Open Water Series at Auke Lake. (Photo courtesy Scott Griffith)

• Contact Klas Stolpe at sports@juneauindependent.com