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The Kaiserslautern Kingfish swim team put another tick in the “W” column Oct. 20, when they hosted the Stuttgart Piranhas at the Ramstein Aquatic Center in a dual meet between the two of the largest teams in the European Forces Swim League.
The Kingfish won the meet 491-305 in their 23rd team victory over the course of the last two seasons.
“Again, another great meet with Stuttgart,” said Head Coach Bob Clinton.
Standout swims from William Griffin, 15 (breaking 5:00 in the 400 Free), Bobby Gaston, 15 (three first place finishes), Danielle Davis, 13 (commanding win in the 100 Fly), Emily Ettrich, 12, and Mackenzie Walton, 11, (five personal best times each) led the Kingfish to another win.
A team record-breaking swim by Ann Johnson, 14, in the 200-meter backstroke (2:43.64) added an exclamation point to the victory. Clinton’s emphasis on personal best times paid off, with a total of 77 swimmers turning in at least one personal record.
The Kingfish showed great depth in their under-10 age groups, with 10 swimmers taking at least one first place swim in those age groups. Annika Zimmerer, 8, set a new Kingfish and RAC record in her 400-meter freestyle, coming in at an impressive 7:51.01.
The Kingfish swimmers’ focus, as always, was also on qualifying for the league championships and Long Distance Championships. Four swimmers, Jacob Gibbs, Andrew Hendrickson, Jenna Macias and Cooper Peterson, added to the Kingfish roster of 74 of the 115-strong team now qualified for the championships. With the time trials held Oct. 20, a record 62 swimmers have now qualified in at least one event for the Long Distance Championships. Allie Elliot (10), Danielle Davis (13), Sam Bassett (14), Everett Plocek (16), Nagisa Reed (11) and Connor Davis (18) all set RAC records in those time trials.
The team has been preparing well for the long distance meet, which will be held over Thanksgiving weekend in Antwerp, Belgium. With the strength and depth of this squad, the team is poised to take yet another trophy.
The next meet is scheduled for Nov. 3 in Geilenkirchen. The Kingfish are looking forward to continuing their winning streak there.
(Courtesy of the Kaiserslautern Kingfish swim team)
