LUCKY IN LINCOLN
It’s never too late to celebrate success….So here is the recap for the Capital City Classic in Lincoln, NE.
Our first bus trip was a fantastic success! We took 36 great young swimmers on the trip. Lincoln served as a great host for Ad Astra and the meet also served as a great opportunity to race in a prelims/ finals format. This will surely be a trip AAAA swimmers will never forget. At the meet, our team was loud and cheered on all of our swimmers. Our chaperones (Lyne Tumlinson, Karen Dean, Edith Eskilson and Eric Eskilson) were awesome! They took care of all of our team needs and were great leaders for our organization all weekend. A special thank you to Peter Jones for officiating at the meet. Ad Astra finished third overall against teams from South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan and Colorado.
Below is a detailed recap of the overall team results and individual results for each athlete. At the end of the recap there is a special note from our Board of Directors Member Lyne Tumlinson.
Swimmer of the Meet:
The swimmer of the meet is given to the athlete who had a positive attitude during competition and off the pool deck. This athlete was polite, encouraging, and motivating at all times to all coaches, athletes, parents and officials. They defined what it meant to be a model AAAA swimmer. The swimmer also had to place in the Top 3 in an individual event and swim an A Time Standard.
Female: Payton Krug and Emily Venters
Male: Josh Florence and David Christie JR.
Honorable Mention: Tyler Jones
Top Point Scorers for Ad Astra:
1st- Payton Krug- (9-10)- 168 points
2nd- Canaan Campbell (15 and Over)- 144 points
3rd- Emily Venters (13-14)- 129 points
4th- Josh Florence (11-12)- 127 points
5th- Claire Campbell (13-14)- 98 points
Event winners:
Canaan Campbell
David Christie JR
Top 8 Finishers: (number signifies how many swims in the Top 8)
Payton Krug-11
Canaan Campbell-9
Emily Venters-8
Ainsley Krug-8
Josh Florence-8
Claire Campbell-5
Evan Eskilson-5
Eric Sparks- 3
Stephen Johnson -3
David Christie JR- 2
Elijah Florence-2
Gretchen Frick -2
Sydney Sirimongkhon-Dyck- 2
Kathryn Bach-1
Cierra Campbell- 1
Tyler Jones- 1
9-10 Swimmers
Adin Florence
Adin swam 5 personal bests over the weekend scoring points for Ad Astra by finishing in the top 16 in the 200 free, 100 breast, 100 free, 100 fly, 50 breast. Adin- our youngest boy competitor did a great job of working on his breathing pattern and racing. He never held anything back on the first 50 of any race. We appreciate his ability to go for it!
Payton Krug
Payton was second for high point in 10-Under Girls Division. She dropped 19 sec in her 400 free -- WOW! Payton achieved AA Times in the majority of her races and came very close to AAA Times. Payton was on fire as she had all Top 8 finishes over the weekend. Payton was Ad Astra’s highest point scocer with 168 points.
Tyler Jones
Tyler swam really well over the Lincoln weekend. He got 4 new LSC Championship times. Way to go! Tyler took a step forward in his swimming and was dropping chunks of time. His focus before races was much improved and he was on a mission. He had a Top 8 finish in the 100 fly as he cut 10 seconds.
Iris Sherron
Iris was one of our three 10 and under girls competing this weekend. Iris swam personal best times 50 free, 200 free, 50 back, and the 50 fly. Reflecting on Iris' past year- she has taken several steps forward and has made huge improvements in her freestyle. Iris achieved D2 times over the weekend.
Karsyn Robertson
Karsyn represented our 8 and under age group. For the first time ever she competed in the 200IM. She was our youngest participant. Swimming a 200IM is a hard event- even for our older swimmers. Karsyn swam all personal best times and we are proud of her for trying new events.
11-12 Swimmers
Kathryn Bach
After spending June in Hawaii, Kathryn didn’t skip a beat- She went personal best times and swam the 200 Fly for the first time. As a 12 year old and competing long course- this is a challenge and she did great! Even better she scored points for the team finishing 5th. Kathryn also achieved D1 times in her races over the weekend.
Ava Cormaney
Ava competed in the 200 breaststroke for the first time and it was a success as she finished 9th and scored points for the team. Her time was a D1 Time for 11-12 age group. Ava also finished 12th in the 400 Freestyle. Ava swam four personal best times over the weekend. Ava swam AA and A time standards in her freestyle races.
Josh Florence
Josh swam a ton of best times and new national age group time standards. He had new AAA times in the 50 fly and the 400 free, as he already had his 100 and 50 free before the meet. Josh made it to finals in 8 events and finished the meet with seven Top 3 finishes (the most of anyone on the team). Josh was our forth-highest point scorer. Josh also finished in the Top 3 for high point in the boys 11-12 Age Group. Congrats!
Maddie Dean
Maddie swam four personal best times over the weekend. Maddie helped Ad Astra in the team running’s by scoring points in the 200 backstroke as she finished 12th. Maddie’s 200 backstroke was a D1 time for the 11-12 age group. Maddie’s championship season is looking bright!
Noah Florence
This Lincoln meet was a debut for Noah in the 11-12 age group. Noah just aged up a week before Lincoln. Noah held his own when competing against the older boys and swam a personal best in the 100 breast, 400 free, 100 back, 50 back and finished in the Top 16 in the 400 free, 50 fly, 100 breast, 50 breast, and 100 fly.
Greta Hayden
Only being involved with swimming for less than a year Greta was a pro on the training trip. Dealing with a prolonged ankle injury, Greta rose above and competed hard in each of her races. Greta swam four personal best times over the weekend while competing in five races.
Ainsley Krug
Ainsley was our top 11-12 female point scorer. Ainlsey had the opportunity to compete in a swim off to race in the 50 free in the finals. She won the swim off and went a best time which was only .02 away from a AAA time. Ainsley swam AAA times in the 200 free, 200 back, and 400 free. Ainsley swam a handful of personal best times. This prelims/finals format is great preparation for Ainsley heading into LSC Championships and Zones.
Morgan Jones
Morgan started the weekend off with a personal best in the 400 freestyle. Every time she swims the event she cuts time. Morgan achieved an AA time standard. Morgan finished in the top 16 in 400 free, 200 free, 100 breaststroke, 50 breaststroke, and 100 fly. Morgan’s desire and determination to swim fast is contagious on the pool deck.
Justin Lee
Justin achieved his first ever Division 1 time in the 50 breaststroke. He dropped 4 seconds in the 50 breast, finishing 9th, just missing finals. Justin went personal best times in all of his events. Justin Lee also qualified for D1 (LSC Championships) in the 100 breaststroke- this was his first time competing in this event.
13-14 Swimmers
Emily Venters
Emily had a great meet, attaining personal bests in all but one event. She was 3rd for high point in the 13-14 age group. Emily achieved new AAA Times in the Mile, 200 Free, 400 Free, 200IM, 400IM. Her mile time was a 40 second drop achieving the Sectional Cut Long Course. Emily was our 3rd highest team point scorer. Emily qualified for finals in all of her events and did a wonderful job of representing Ad Astra the whole weekend.
Stephen Johnson
Coming off an injured toe, Stephen swam best times over the weekend and he made it into the finals in the 400 Free, 100 Fly, 200 Back, 200 Free, 100 Free, 200 Fly and the 200IM. This being Stephen’s first season in the 13-14 age group, he is racing well against his competitors and holding his own.
Simone Herlihy
Simone started the meet on Friday with all best times. Simone made it back into finals in the 100 back, 100 free, 200 back, and 50 free. Simone swam fast in the mornings to make it into the Top 16 in a tough 13-14 age group. Simone achieved new LSC Championship times that she did not already have.
Susan Frick
Susan had a great attitude throughout the whole weekend. Every time she hit the water, you could see her racing with 100 percent effort. Susan swam a personal best time in the 100 freestyle. Susan was always having a good time in Lincoln.
Elijah Florence
Elijah exploded when given the opportunity to swim in finals. Elijah capitalized and qualified Top 8 in the 400 IM and 200 Fly. He placed 3rd in the 200 fly and 8th in his 400IM. The special moment for Elijah was dropping 14 seconds in the 400IM. We feel this was a breakout meet for Elijah.
Grace McCalla
Grace had a weekend where she rose above her illness. Despite being sick for weeks before Lincoln, Grace raced hard in all of her events. Grace will be ready to race when she comes back this fall.
Evan Eskilson
Evan was a big point scorer for AAAA in the boys 13-14 age group this past weekend. He had lifetime bests all weekend and was a consistent swimmer in finals at night qualifying for finals in all of his events. Six of his swims were best times. His highest finish came in the 100 and 200 fly finishing 5th in both.
Claire Campbell
Claire swam eight personal best times over the four-day weekend, making it to finals in eight events. Claire’s personal best times also accounted for four AAA Time Standards for the 13-14 age group, as the other four were AA Time Standards. Claire was our fifth highest point scorer with 98 points. Claire had a great meet landing all lifetime bests except in the 50 free. She won the 200IM in the B final in dominating fashion.
Kiran Cordes
After travelling to Illinois for the Diversity Meet, Kiran was ready for another travel Trip. Kiran competed in five individual events and went four personal best times. Kiran was a great asset to the trip and had a positive attitude the whole weekend!
Sydney Sirimongkhon-Dyck
Sydney went in season best times at Lincoln. This was great for Syd as she swam personal bests at the diversity meet in Chicago. In her favorite race-the 50 free- she finished in 2nd place. She also qualified Top 8 in the 100 fly finishing 5th. Sydney swam a personal best in the 100 breast and 200 breast (13 second drop) and placed in the Top 16.
Isaac Springe
Isaac's decision to attend the travel meet was last minute, but it was a good one. Isaac swam a personal best time in the 200 free dropping 12 seconds. He also swam a best time in the 100 breaststroke qualifying for the Top 16 in the boys 13-14 age group. This was Isaac’s first time competing in a finals session.
15 and Over Swimmer
Brandon Bunting
Brandon had a successful weekend of swimming on his first travel trip with Ad Astra. Brandon swam personal best times in all five events that he competed in. In the 400 freestyle Brandon dropped over one minute. Brandon’s attitude and effort over the weekend were contagious!
Benjamin Stallbaumer
Ben swam 3 personal best times. This was Ben's first long course season with Ad Astra. His improvement is evident as he is thinking about stroke technique and racing in each event. Having just aged up to 15 and over, he is close to achieving D2 times in the long course pool. Ben did a great job in the medley relay swimming a best time in the 100 breast by 3 seconds.
Gretchen Frick
Gretchen raced hard while attempting to work on her stroke technique. Over the four-day meet she scored in the Top 16 in 1500 free, 400 Free, 100 Breast, 200 IM, 400IM, 200 Fly, and 800 Free. Gretchen used this meet to get ready for racing in the championship season.
Canaan Campbell
Canaan was one of two Ad Astra swimmers that was an event winner. Canaan took home first in the 400 and 800 Freestyle. Canaan competed in ten individual events, and placed in the Top 3 in five events. Canaan was our second highest point scorer with 144 points. Canaan was second place for high point in the 15 and over age group. He had strong showings in finals, getting second swims in everything.
Cierra Campbell
Cierra had a full schedule at Lincoln with all distance freestyle events. Using the meet as a training meet, Cierra got stronger and stronger as the meet went on. Cierra placed in the Top 8 in the 800 Free where she finished 5th.
Lucy Sirimongkhon-Dyck
Lucy had some great swims in Nebraska! She had best times in her backstroke - both the 100 and 200. This is great in season. Lucy had a positive attitude and was a great teammate in Lincoln. Lucy finished 10th in both backstroke races. Look for good things to come at the end of the season for Lucy.
David Christie Jr.
David has continued his trend of swimming personal best times at every meet this summer. David was one of our two swimmers winning gold at the meet. David won the 200 Butterfly for the 15 and Over age group. Congrats David! David also finished in 5th in the 100 Fly. David’s breaststroke was right on target swimming best times and competing in finals.
Miranda Rohn
Getting ready for college, Miranda used this meet to get in shape and be ready for the fall. We appreciated her senior leadership on her last travel trip. We are excited to see her succeed at the collegiate level.
A Special Note from Lyne Tumlinson
From my point of view, the results of the Lincoln travel trip were more than the swims, more than the kids, more than the trophies we brought home. Don't get me wrong - those all played important roles in the overall teambuilding that is key to our success!
Who we are as a team really showed when Patrick said everyone would go to finals - whether to swim or to cheer. Katie inspired us with some (silly) gear and off we went. Even those swimming in finals and the other parents who drove up on their own added to the crowd bunched up at the end of the 50-meter pool wildly cheering the announcement of a Quad-A swimmer's name, and on through the race. By the third day, several other teams were up doing the same thing - there's a movement afoot!
And we had swimmers in almost every final heat. I wish you all could have been there, just to see that staging. One or two parents with heat sheet in hand, "ok, next is Ainsley in lane 4!" Then our crowd would shuffle down to lane 6 for the next swimmer. And back to lane 2, etc. Those teams in Nebraska (and a few states beyond) certainly know now about Ad Astra. We made our mark.
You know how the noise in Allen Fieldhouse is inspiring to the KU players? We saw similar effects in our swimmers in Lincoln. A swimmer who didn't want to attempt a swim-off to get into finals was the clear winner at the end of that race. Others were inspired to give all they had - so many of our swimmers moved up to a higher place in the finals than where they'd qualified!
In the end, the trip made all of our swimmers better - regardless if they got best times, made the finals, or even won their heats. We learned from the few glitches we experienced and next year's travel meet will be even better. This trip showed why Ad Astra is the Premier Swim Team in Lawrence - Missouri Valley - and beyond!
