Kingfish dominate at long distance championships

Let’s talk distance ― long distance. Distance and sprint events are completely different beasts. Sprinting requires short, fast strokes where distance swimming requires long, powerful strokes ― not to mention incredible endurance.

On Nov. 11 and 12, the Kaiserslautern Kingfish took to the 50 meter pool in Longare, Italy. Swimmers had to swim the 1500 free, 800 free and 400 IM ― 2,700 meters of fast swimming ― in just two days. Once again, the Kingfish showed they are the team to beat in the European Forces Swim League.  

“The Kaiserslautern Kingfish prevailed at the distance champs and did it in top form,” said head coach Bob Clinton. “The team concentrated on personal improvement, sportsmanship and competitive drive. Our team had incredible race focus and displayed positive sportsmanship after each race.”

The 2012 Long Distance Championships were full of fast competition and was by far the toughest meet for the Kingfish to date. Fourteen teams competed with a strong field of competitors and it was once again the Kaiserslautern Kingfish swimmers on top of the leader board. With just 29 swimmers competing in the competition, the Kingfish won the meet with a 213 point lead over second place Stuttgart and with all 29 swimmers earning points toward the team victory.
Danielle Davis, 12, set an EFSL record in the 12-year-old category with a time of 20:39.15 in the 1500 free, breaking the record of 21:07.90 set by Greta Kinsey of Sigonella in 2010. 

Top Performers of the meet were Connor Davis, 17, Davis and Henry Cummin, 11, with three gold medals; Andy Cummin, 17, with two silver medals and one bronze; Peter Cummin, 15, and Penny Washington, 10, with one silver; Amy Roth, 14, and Elizabeth Gorske, 11, with one silver and one bronze; Holly Roth, 15, with one silver and two bronze; Nikolas Hokaj, 15, with three bronze; and Erick Johns, 13, and Amy Johnson, 13, with two bronze. 

Even though competition was tough, the win for the Kingfish team marked their seventh for the season.

(Courtesy of the Kaiserslautern Kingfish)