Clarence Swim Club sets personal-best times, records in Ann Arbor

WEST SIDE WOMEN STRIKE GOLD - The Junior A (U19) West Side Rowing Club Women's lightweight eight finished first in the U23 Women's Lightweight race at the St. Catharines Rowing Club Invitational Regatta. Members of the team, pictured from left are: Abby Giancola, Anna McCarthy (Williamsville), Lindsay Kreppel (Clarence), Sarah Giancola, Liz Lalonde, Mallorie Reinecke (East Amherst), Kelsey Kean (East Amherst), Amanda Draksic (Tonawanda), and Meghan Jacobs.

Clarence Swim Club took a road trip to Michigan to compete in the 2007 Ann Arbor Summer Invitational.

The meet is swum in a 50-meter pool and required qualifying times are needed to enter. The meet resulted in multiple best times and several new club records.

Andrew Barden, 15, started off the meet with a personal-best time in his 800 freestyle, dropping 7.19 seconds. Barden followed that race with an eighth place, gold level in the 200 individual medley. He then struck silver in the 100 backstroke, 100 and 200 breaststroke, and the 50, 100, and 200 free. Barden also swam the 100 butterfly.

Nine was a lucky number for Jon Beabout, 16, because that is where he placed in both of his gold level 400 and 800 free races ("A" times). Beabout's 800 free performance reset the club record. His 200 free gold level swim just missed the "AA" cut. Beabout sent in silver times in the 200 back, 200 fly, 400 IM, 200 breast and 100 free. The 200 fly, 200 back and the 400 IM times won Beabout three more club records.

Julia Bulmahn, 16, placed eighth while stroking to a "A" level gold time, taking off an impressive 6.96 seconds in the process. She also dropped .63 seconds while streaking to a silver time in the 50 free.

Andrew Cahalane, 10, tore off a total of 5.31 seconds on his way to silver performances in the 50 breast and 100 back and bronze races in the 50 fly and 100 free.

Chris Dugan, 17, set personal-best times in all eight of his races. Tossing aside a total of 10.68 seconds, Dugan motored through the water in the 50, 100, 200, and 400 free, 200 and 400 IM, 100 breast and 100 fly.

Cami Farkas, 15, grabbed gold and a new club record while swimming an "AA" time in the 200 free. Farkas brought home "A" gold level performances in the 100 fly, 800 free, and 200 IM. She also dropped time in the 100 back and swam strong in the 50 free.

Breonna Henningham, 13, chipped away at her best times for a total drop of 10.43 seconds. She shone silver in the 50, 100, and 200 free, 100 and 200 breast, 100 back and 100 fly.

Brittany Henningham, 17, took on her first long course meet in style, swimming with gusto in the 50, 100, and 200 free, 100 back, and 200 IM.

Eric Kowalik, 15, annihilated his best times to the tune of a 76.39 second total drop. Kowalik's silver times included the 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 free races. A strong showing was also seen in the 100 fly and 200 IM.

Tori Mayer, 17, showed her strength by setting personal-best times in every race. Keeping a long distance theme, Mayer swam the 400 and 800 free, the 200 and 400 IM, and the 200 back, fly and breast. The 200 fly brought her a new club record.

Bob Rutkowski, 15, had a fabulous 200 breast race, placing third while obtaining an "A" level gold time and resetting the club record. Gold was also garnered in his sixth place "A" level, gold 100 breast performance. Rutkowski followed up those races with speed in the 50, 100, 200, and 400 free, 100 fly and 200 IM.

Ryan Saenger, 13, had personal best swims and a total reduction of 55.28 seconds. Saenger streaked on through the 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 free, 100 back, and 200 IM.

Danny Salvatore, 17, wowed the crowd with a stunning 47.97 second total drop and all personal-best times. Silver times were had in the 50, 100, 200, and 400 free races. Salvatore also showed his stuff in the 100 fly.

Adam Tou, 18, shined in every long course event, gathering silver times in the 50 and 100 free, 100 breast, 100 fly and 200 IM.

Adam Weber, 16, showed his endurance while streaking to silver times in all nine events swum. These events included the 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 free, 100 and 200 back, 200 IM, and 100 fly.

Swim coach Russ Sampson donned a suit to take fifth place in the 100 fly.

For more information, visit www. clarenceswimming. com.