Rapids compete at the three big summer meets

Every summer there are three big meets, Grand Challenge, Swim Meet Of Champions, and Los Angeles Invite, where many Olympians and collegiate swimmers compete. Swimmers from universities such as CAL, USC, UCLA, UCSD, UCSB, Stanford, San Diego State, U San Diego, UNLV, Wyoming, Alabama, Texas A&M, Texas, Indiana, Ohio State, Denver, and Minnesota compete at these meets. National team athletes from the USA, China, Israel, , Canada, , and also competed. (two time gold medalist), (silver and gold medalist and current 100 back world record holder), Ryosuke Irie (bronze and silver medalist), (three time gold medalist and current 100 back world record holder), Josh Prenot (silver medalist), (gold medalist), (gold and silver medalist), Connor Dwyer (bronze and two time gold medalist), Vlad Morozov (bronze medalist), and Katinka Hosszu (silver and three time gold medalist and current world record holder in the 200 IM and 400 IM) were several of Olympic athletes that competed. This year the Rapids had seven swimmers compete in the three meets.

The summer started off with the Speedo Grand Challenge on May 25 to May 27 at Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine, CA. Alex Jiang, Connor Lee, Allysan Tse, and Sophia Yao represented the Rapids.

Alex swam in the 12 and under division. He placed 8th in the 50 breast, dropped 1.07 seconds and placed 3rd in the 100 back, placed 7th in the 100 breast, 3rd in the 50 back, and dropped 3.81 seconds in the 200 IM with a 4th place finish.

Connor swam the 50 free and 100 fly.

Allysan swam the 200 back, 100 back, and 100 free.

Sophia swam in the 200 breast.

The second meet of the summer was the Swim Meet Of Champions (SMOC) held on June 21 to June 24 at Marguerite Aquatic Center in Mission Viejo, CA. Zach Larrick, Connor Lee, Jacob Mullin, Jaden Mullin, and Allysan Tse competed for the Rapids.

Zach, first time SMOC qualifier, swam the 200 back, dropped 1.90 seconds, and moved up 35 spots. He moved up 19 places in the 100 fly. In the 200 IM he moved up 58 places with a 1.28 second drop for a 2:20.05 qualifying him for the LA Invite.

Connor placed 16th in the 200 fly, 13th in the 100 fly, and 14th in the 50 fly. He also swam in the 100 free, 200 free, 50 free, and swam a best time in the 100 breast. He scored 5 points.

This was Jacob’s first meet after coming back from Cornell. He competed in the 50 back, 100 free, 200 back, 50 free, 100 back, 100 fly, and 100 free.

Jaden, first time SMOC qualifier, swam in the 100 back, 100 fly, and 200 IM.

Allysan swam in the 200 back, 50 free, and 100 back. Allysan’s best time in the 100 back moved her up 38 places.

The final meet was the Los Angeles Invite that was on July 12 to July 15 at Uytengsu Aquatic Center on the USC Campus. Zach Larrick, Connor Lee, Jacob Mullin, and Allysan Tse swam for the Rapids.

Zach, first time LAI qualifier, swam in the 200 back, 100 back, and swam a best time in the 200 IM.

Connor swam in the 100 free, 50 free, and a best time in the 200 free. He placed 17th in the 200 fly and 9th in the 100 fly. He scored 9 points.

Jacob swam the 100 free, 200 back, 100 fly, and the 100 back.

Allysan swam the 200 back and swam a best time in the 50 and 100 free.

Nice work guys!