Records Fall As Sea Lions Take On League

Ripon Record Sports
Tani Hanes
The Hughson Invitational, which finally took place on July 12th, after being postponed for two weeks due to bad air quality and the 4th of July holiday, was another banner meet for the intrepid Sea Lions.  The meet began at 8:00 AM, and went well into the evening, ending after 7:30 PM, but it was worth the wait.  In addition to the high point winners, Sea Lions broke no fewer than FOURTEEN records, more than double all of the other teams put together.

To get things rolling, the 15-18 Boys’ Medley relay team went head to head with the freight train Oakdale Gators relay, the same relay that had beaten them by a heartbreaking .34 seconds just weeks before.  Back stroker Wesley Eisenga exploded out of the water for his start, and they were off. He came in with a good half body length lead to hand the relay off to breast stroker Spenser Vaughn (who would break his own breast stroke record later in the day).  Vaughn had a fantastic start (called a “pull downý in breast stroke), and came in off his second lap at least two and a half body lengths ahead of the breast stroking Gator in the next lane.  Next in the water was Jesse Powers, who swam a powerful butterfly, leaving every other team in the dust, so to speak.  By the time Delayne Mack dove in for the free style race, it was obvious who was going to win.  It wasn’t until Mack touched the wall, however, that they knew that they’d broken a record, by over two seconds.

Next came the Individual Medley, and Annika Rigney, who has been having the best year of her swimming career.  Her powerful dive put her out front, and she never lost the lead as she came in with a 1:05.74, beating the five year old record by over two seconds. More about young Ms. Rigney later.
Next came eight year old Andrew Britton, the  youngest of the Britton family, who swam the 50 yard freestyle in 32.95 seconds, beating the old record of 33.27, set 26 long years ago.  Again, he led from the beginning, extended his lead with his turn, and never looked  back, trimming over a quarter second off the old record.

The next Britton to break a record was Christian, the ten year old “bigý Britton brother, who came in for his 100 yard free style with a 1:03.33.  He touched the wall an astounding 17 seconds sooner than his next closest competitor, and broke the old record by three seconds in the bargain.
Mere minutes later, big sister Katelin Britton swam her 100 yard free style.  She out dove, out turned, and just plain out swam her competition.  Her time of 57.95 was seven seconds faster than the second place finisher, and four seconds faster than the old record.  There was just no stopping her.

The other teams in the league were given but a brief reprieve, until the 7-8 girls 25 yard butterfly.  Andria Martin, who looks elfin, but swims like Michael Phelps, swam a 16.78.  She actually tied the record for the 25 fly, which was set 10 years ago.

In the very next event, the boys 25 yard butterfly, Andrew Britton once again broke a record, swimming a 16.37.  The old record was broken by .12 seconds, which is not a huge chunk of time, but anyone who’s been watching the Olympic trials knows that in swimming, tenths are huge.

Annika Rigney once again took to the water for the 50 Fly, and once again, a record came tumbling down, this time one which has stood for 13 years.  She swam a 28.07, beating the old record by over one second.  Her arms and legs were but a blur as she blew by her competition.

Christian Britton jumped into the water next as he prepared for his 50 yard back stroke. He led from the starter’s buzzer, and touched the wall with a 34.28, nearly a full second faster than the old record. 
Like clockwork, Katelin Britton burst off the wall for her 50 yard back stroke, and like clockwork, she broke another record, this time by nearly 3 seconds.  She swam a 30.43, beating her next closest competitor by six seconds.

Once again, Annika Rigney hit the pool for her 50 back, once again taking down a 13 year old record.  She came in with a 31.10, beating her closest opponent by three seconds, and beating the old record by .7 seconds.  This would be her final record of the day, fortunately for the other 15-16 girls swimming against her!

Now we come to the 15-16 mens’ breast stroke, and Spenser Vaughn, who swam a 1:06.38, beating a record that he set himself just last year.  The victory was no less important, as his closest competitor was over five seconds behind him.

Next came Christian Britton, swimming in his last event of the day, the 50 yard free style.  He pulled down a time of 29.34, slashing over half a second off of the old record, which had stood for nineteen long years.  He was also four seconds ahead of the second place swimmer.

Two events later, big sister Katelin, swimming in her last event of the day, broke yet another record with her time of 26.18, breaking a 14 year old record.  Then, finally, she too was finished.

There were many other Sea Lions who had incredible days; 6 year old Jason VanDerWeide took home the high point trophy for his age bracket, as did 16 year old Jesse Powers and 7-8 girl Andria Martin.  Cassie Apple earned 14 points, Gracie Barbieri 7 points, Gregory Clark 6 points, Daniel Esenwiein 13 points, Wesley Eisenga 17 points, Emma Lewis 10 points, Delayne Mack 7 points, Cierra Reed 11 points, Derek Price 9 points, Zach Pratt 15 points, Morgan Sheaffer 12 points, Rosie Vaughn 17 points, Chloe Winter 7 points, and Corey Winter 4 points.

Fourteen records being broken at one meet by a single team is unheard of, the Sea Lions did an outstanding job at this weekend’s meet.  Maybe it’s something in the water.  Next Saturday is the Mid Valley Swim League’s Championships, which will be held right here at the Ripon Aquatics Center.  Swimmers hit the water 8:00 sharp.