For the Cortez Leopard Sharks Swim Club, the 2014 Seasonal State Championship served as the perfect conclusion to a successful summer season. Swimming impressively, as they did throughout the season, the Leopard Sharks finished third overall in the “medium-sized team” classification, a massive accomplishment for a team that had only eight swimmers roughly one decade ago.
Among the many performances by Leopard Sharks swimmers at the Seasonal State meet, none were more impressive than those turned in by 10-year-old Trenton Bagge. Competing in a slew of events, Bagge finished first in the 100- and 200-meter individual medleys, first in the 50-meter backstroke and first in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter freestyle events.
With his first-place finishes, Bagge staked his claim to the title of top 10-year old seasonal swimmer in the West Slope League. Bagge’s swims also left his coach excited for the future.
“I think that Bagge has all the necessary pieces to excel in the sport of swimming,” said Leopard Sharks head coach Kevin Ketterer. “Given a little more time and a little more training, he potentially has a very bright future. He’s maturing as an athlete and as a person.”
Also swimming impressively for the Leopard Sharks was 14-year-old Samantha Bagge. Although Bagge failed to secure a victory, her second place finish in the 200-meter backstroke and her third-place finish in the 100-meter backstroke were outstanding considering the strength of the girls’ 13-14 age division.
Not to be outdone by the strong performances of the Bagge siblings, 12-year-old Ryan Cutrone turned in two top-three finishes of his own. Always a strong breaststroker, Cutrone finished second in both the 50-meter and 100-meter breaststroke events.
Also recording top-three finishes for the Leopard Sharks were 12-year-old Emma Ward, 10-year-old Elizabeth McAlpin and 8-year-old Ellen McAlpin. Ward and Elizabeth McAlpin finished third in the 50-meter backstroke for their respective age groups, while Ellen McAlpin finished 3rd in the 100-meter individual medley.
Other Leopard Sharks swimmers who finished outside the top three in their respective events, yet still swam impressively, were 11-year-old Tyler Cutrone, 8-year-old David Krumpacker, 11-year-old Gavin Quinlan, 12-year-old Nanabah Sam, 13-year-old Gavin Taylor and 15-year-old Madison VanBibber.
Reflecting on his experience swimming in the extremely competitive championship meet, Taylor expressed satisfaction with his accomplishments.
“[The 2013 summer season] was one of my better seasons,” said Taylor. “I had a lot of fun at the [Seasonal State Championship meet]. I was a bit nervous looking at my competitors’ fast times, but I swam well.”
Echoing Taylor’s comments describing the positive experience of swimming in the Seasonal State Championship, VanBibber stated, “Everybody at the meet was super friendly. It’s always fun to travel to new places and meet new people.”
With the successful summer season now behind them, the Leopard Sharks plan to continue working hard in preparation for next season. The summer of 2014 will be an especially significant one for the Leopard Sharks, as the team will host the Seasonal State Championship meet in Cortez. More than 1,500 people are expected to attend the event.
“[The Seasonal State Championship] will bring families to [Cortez] for the weekend,” wrote Leopard Sharks board member Debbie Kill. “[The meet] will contribute to tourism and raise awareness of all the neat things that Cortez has to offer.”
For the time being, Cortez Leopard Sharks swimmers will take pride in all that they accomplished over the course of the summer. Few would dispute that the 2013 summer season was a special one that will serve as a building block for the future.
imaclaren@cortezjournal.com