With the temperatures rising to triple digits, Oakdale’s youth swim club, the Gators, cooled off by hosting a meet on Saturday, July 23. Oakdale hosted Lodi, Davis and Turlock at Oakdale High School’s Aquatic Center.

The Gators swan strong, with seven first place finishes on the day. Four of those came from six-year-old Callie Rath. She swam in five events on the day placing first in Female Six and Under 25 yard freestyle (26.72), 25 yard breaststroke (36.38), 25 fly (35.68) and 50 freestyle (1:02.19). Eleven-year-old Emily Meyer competed in four events on the day and placed first in the Female 11-12 50 backstroke (37.05). Along with her first place finish, Meyer placed second in the 50 yard breaststroke (44.12) and third in both 50 yard freestyle (32.91) and 100 IM (1:25.80).

Nine-year-old Josiah Basnight was a busy swimmer on Saturday. Basnight competed in six events, claiming first in male 9-10 50 breaststroke (48.06) and third in the 50 fly event as well (51.31). Evan Elizondo swam three events on the day and took first place in Male 11-12 backstroke (44.55). The 12-year-old also took third in the 100 freestyle event (1:14.75)

Making a splash for the Gators was seven-year-old Andie French, who swam in six events and placed second in the Female 7-8 25 backstroke, third in both 100 IM and 50 yard freestyle. Ryann French, 11, placed third in the Female 11-12 50 yard breaststroke with a time of 44.76. Christopher Cancino, 12, claimed third in the Male 11-12 50 breaststroke event (45.82). Swimming in multiple events with a high success ratio was Lincoln Kim. The six-year-old swam in three events placing second in all three. Kim swam in the Male 6 and Under 25 freestyle (33.07), 25 backstroke (39.04) and 50 freestyle (1:24.06). Also placing second in three events was Ocean Ingram, 6, the Female Six and Under 25 backstroke (38.33), 25 Fly (39.39) and 50 Freestyle (1:21.92). Nine-year-old Tyler Mercer placed second in his only event of the day, the Male 9-10 50 backstroke (43.84). Making the most of his only swim of the day was Jaxzen Pope, 8, who placed second in the Male 7-8 50 freestyle (46.32). Bohdan Salzer competed in two events placing second in Male 6 and Under 25 fly (41.05). Micaiah Richison swam in three events and the 12-year-old placed third in the Female 11-12 100 freestyle (1:18.93).

Competing in five events and placing second in four of them was Sage Schmidt, 10, placing in the Male 9-10 50 freestyle (36.74), 100 IM (1:38.43), 50 breaststroke (48.18) and 100 freestyle (1:25.45). Schmidt also placed third in the 50 backstroke (48.21). Five-year-old Archer Sanders swam in two events, placing third in each of them, the Male 6 and Under 25 freestyle (38.03) and 25 backstroke (53.94). Ashlyn Splettstoesser finished third in Female 6 and Under 25 fly (41.86).

Mathew Van Dyke competed in four events on Saturday, placing second in the Male 11-12 50 backstroke (44.72) and third in the 50 fly (48.49). Colton Thoni swam in four events at the meet, taking second in the Male 7-8 25 breaststroke (31.21) and third in two events, 25 fly (29.16) and 25 freestyle (21.30).

The Gators will be holding their awards night on Thursday, July 28 at 6 p.m. at the OHS Aquatic Center.