Kingfish come out on top in season home opener

In the Kaiserslautern Kingfish Swim Team’s first meet of the season, swimmers broke four team records and had the top score of the meet. The team headed the Rolling Hills Athletic Club in Baumholder for the first meet, Sept. 22 and competed against swimmers from the Heidelberg Sea Lions, Eifel Sharks, Bamburg Aqua Barons, Lakenheath Barracuda and Wiesbaden Wahoos.

***image1***Coach Bob Clinton selected team captains for the start of the season: Ramstein American High School senior Olivia Grazak as captain, Kaiserslautern American High School senior Megan Williamson and RAHS junior Blake Davis as co-captains.

The meet started off at a fast pace with the medley relay event, which showcased the Kingfish team’s spirit and sportsmanship. As the meet progressed, many swimmers posted outstanding individual times and excellent swims for the first meet of the season. Isabella Bishop broke records in the 50m fly and the 100m individual medley events, Sarah Mallette broke a seven-year standing record in the 50m backstroke, and Blake Davis set the newest record in the 50m freestyle at 26.25 seconds.

 “The team had an excellent performance to start off this year’s season with several swimmers accomplishing lifetime personal best times,” said Richard Peters, assistant coach. “The Kingfish displayed great sportsmanship, encouraging their teammates and competition. We are all looking forward to continued success throughout the season, and ultimately repeating as the European Forces Swim League Champions.”

The Kingfish swimmers gave their best effort to ensure the team came out on top with a win. The final score was Kaiserslautern Kingfish 1,164, Heidelberg Sea Lions 1,040, Wiesbaden Wahoos 365, Bamberg Aqua Barons 317, Eifel Sharks (Spangdahlem) 270, and the Lakenheath Barracudas 138. The Kingfish Swim Team has 65 swimmers between the ages of 6 and 19 from the KMC. They practice three to five times a week to compete in the European Forces Swim League, which includes 18 teams scattered throughout Europe swimming in two divisions. The Kingfish will travel to Sigonella, Italy, Saturday and have a home meet Oct. 13.

(Courtesy of Kingfish Swim Team)