The Delhi Dolphins Swim Team Closes on Their Competition

The Dolphins hosted another event on December 7^th at their home pool against the Amsterdam Sea Rams and the Canajoharie Crocodiles.  Most swimmers lowered their times and both teams edged ever closer to beating their rivals in total points scored!

 

In the 8-and-under category, Hans Hilson-Schneider captured his first of three wins at the meet with a personal best in the 25 backstroke.  He followed that with 2 more firsts in the 25 free and 25 breaststroke.  His fellow Dolphin Zach Burrows made his meet debut with a second in the 25 free--great job Zach!

 

The 8-and-under girls also came away with big successes.  Autumn Dorr won the 25 back in a gripping finish against an Amsterdam swimmer, and 7-year-old Sarah Roberts placed third in this close race.  Both girls lowered their times by over 5 seconds each and solidified their titles as backstroke specialists!  Autumn also won the 25 breaststroke and took second in the 25 free with a personal best time.  Sarah won the 7-and-under 25 free and 5-year-old Sienna Dorr took a whopping 7 seconds off her 25 free time and placed second.  Sarah, Autumn, and Zach teamed up for the 8-and-under free relay, finishing 3^rd.  Sarah swam two legs of the relay and had energy to spare.  These kids are the future of the team!

 

In the 9-10 category, the threesome of Sam Bowker, Amelie Legg and Susan Frazee blazed through their events with some personal best (PB) times.  All three set new PBs in the 50 back (placing 2^nd, 6^th, and 7^th, respectively).  Amelie lowered her 50 breaststroke time by 7 seconds, placing 5^th, and Sam took 1 second off for a 6^th place finish.  Sam also placed 3^rd in the 50 free with a PB, Amelie placed 6^th, and Susan set the most-improved time of the team with a 12-second improvement and a 7^th place finish! 

 

All three girls joined Hans in the 9-10 mixed free relay, finishing 3^rd.  Hans swam a Junior Olympic qualifying time in the lead-off leg of the relay—way to go Hans! 

 

In the most competitive age group, the 11-12 year-olds, the Dolphins held their own.  Alyssa Frazee started things off with a 4^th and a PB in the 50 fly, then followed with another PB and 4^th in the 50 breaststroke.  Candice Caruso and Amy Burrows placed 5^th and 7^th in that event, respectively.

 

In the 50 back, Amy set a PB and came away with a 2^nd place finish.  Candice was a close 3^rd with another PB.  Brooke Hunter placed 4^th for the Dolphins and Katherine Roberts earned a 6^th while setting a PB!  All girls swam the 50 free:  Brooke was the high Dolphin finisher (2^nd), Candice was 3^rd, Alyssa was 4^th, Amy was 5^th, and Katherine was 6^th.  Brooke then added a 3^rd in the 100 IM.

 

On the 11-12 boys’ side, the team’s high-scorer, Brandon Mole, won all three of his individual events (the 50 back, breast, and free) in impressive fashion.  Josh Shepard, returning to the sport after a year-long hiatus, placed 2^nd in both the 50 free and 50 back.  Chet Mills contributed two 4^th place finishes in the 50 back the 50 free, where he also set a PB. 

 

The Dolphins entered 2 teams in the 11-12 mixed free relay.  Alyssa, Candice, Josh, and Amy finished a strong 3^rd, and Chet and Katherine were joined by Sam and Amelie to round out the Dolphins with a 4^th place finish.  Great swimming, guys!

 

Two Delaware Academy stand-outs, Chandler Shepard and Amy Merriman, joined the Dolphins after the completion of their high school season.  Both contributed many first place finishes and JO qualifying times in this meet:  Chandler in the 50 free, 100 back, and 100 breast, and Amy in the 100 fly and 200 IM.  Amy also added a 2^nd in the 100 back and both girls swam a strong free relay with the help of Brandon and Brooke.  With the addition of these two girls, the Dolphins were able to edge closer to their Central Valley League competitors.  A league championship title is a possibility!!!