Competing at the Western Slope Championships in Grand Junction, July 16-19, members of Cortez Leopard Sharks swim club produced several solid finishes.
Leading the way for the Leopard Sharks, 11-year old Trenton Bagge swam to two top-three finishes, including a first place finish in the 200-meter freestyle (2:33.36) and third in the 100-meter freestyle (1:15.21).
By virtue of his impressive time in the 200, Bagge qualified for the Colorado Long Course State Championships, which will be held in Fort Collins, July 25-27.
Also swimming well for the Leopard Sharks, 12-year-old Tyler Cutrone, finished third in the 50-meter breaststroke (42.26), third in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:35.20) and third in the 200-meter individual medley (3:06.45).
Cutrone will compete in 50-meter breaststroke at the Long Course State Championships.
Other standout Leopard Sharks performers included 11-year-old Victoria Duran, who finished first in the 1500-meter freestyle (22:24.47), 10-year-old Cody Farias, who placed first in the 50-meter freestyle (38.75).
Fourteen-year-old Leopard Sharks standout Caisey Duran placed third in the 200-meter backstroke (2:46.73) and was named outstanding female swimmer of the meet.
Rounding out the Leopard Sharks top finishers, 8-year-old Benjamin Lewis turned in finished fourth in the 25-yard backstroke (26.50).
“It was fun,” said Lewis, who has been swimming for two years. “I swam as fast as I could.”
In all, fourteen Leopard Sharks swimmers competed in the Western Slope Championships.
Next up for the Leopard Sharks will be the Colorado Seasonal State Championships, which will take place in Cortez, Aug. 1-3.