The summer has been sizzling in Oakdale and so has the Oakdale youth swim program. Several boys and girls of the Gators swim team traveled to Tokay High School in Lodi for their third meet of the season on July 9. A total of 63 season best times in a variety of events were set by Gator swimmers.
Seven-year-old Andie French swam in four events and captured first place in the female 8 and under 25 yard fly. The speedy French finished in 23.24 seconds. French also finished fourth in a trio of events on the afternoon. Also capturing a first place finish for the Gators was eight-year-old Colton Thoni. He took first in the male eight and under 25 yard freestyle (22.25).
Twelve-year-old Christopher Cancino made the most of his trip to Lodi, finishing second in two events and adding a third place finish on the afternoon. Cancino placed second in the male 11-12 50 yard breaststroke (45.81) and the male 11-12 50 yard fly (48.44). Also making a splash was eight-year-old Cooper Fox. He swam in three events capturing second in two of them. Fox placed second in the male eight and under 25 yard freestyle (22.45) and 25 yard backstroke (28.18). Like Fox, twelve-year-old Evan Elizondo also placed second in a pair of events. Elizondo finished second in male 11-12 in 50 yard freestyle (33.16) and in the 100 yard freestyle (1:16.30).
Eleven-year-old Emily Meyer competed in three events and placed second in all three. Meyer took second place in female 11-12 year old 100 IM (1:25.18); 50 yard breaststroke (44.88) and 50 yard backstroke (40.47). Mathew Van Dyke entered three heats with his highlight coming in the male 11-12 50 yard backstroke where he placed second (43.96). Jordyn Pope also swam in three heats where she placed second in the female 11-12 50 yard freestyle (35.23). Eight-year-old Jaxzen Pope placed second and third in two events on Saturday. Pope placed second in the male eight and under 50 freestyle (49.98) and third in 25 yard backstroke (28.97). Andrew Copland finished second and third in a pair of events. The 11-year-old captured second in the male 11-12 100 IM (1:46.80) and third in the 50 breaststroke (50.94). Sage Schmidt placed second in the male 9-10 100 IM (1:39.67). Schmidt also placed third in the 50 yard breaststroke (50.41).
Placing third in two events was eight-year-old Isabella Solkah. She finished third in both the 25 backstroke (27.26) and 50 freestyle (1:02.56). Ten-year-old Izzy Salzer placed third in the female 9-10 year old 50 yard fly (52.10). Salzer also placed fourth in the 50 yard breaststroke (44.83). Ryann French placed third in the female 11-12 50 yard breaststroke (45.69). Alexia Jablon placed third in two events, female 9-10 50 freestyle (38.52) and 50 yard breaststroke (51.22). Thirteen-year-old Avery Johnson took third in the thirteen and over 100 yard breaststroke. Allison Copland placed third in the female 9-10 100 IM (1:49.44).
The Gators will host their Oakdale Invitational Meet on Saturday, July 23. The event will take place at Oakdale High School’s Aquatic Center. Check in will be closed at 8:45 a.m. and the meet is scheduled for a 9 a.m. start.
