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Gators Improve Times At Championship Event
7-20 OAK Gators1
Some arm extension gives Oakdale Gators swimmer CeCe Hurst momentum on the final stretch of this 100-meter butterfly on Saturday at the Oakdale Aquatic Center. Hurst and the Gators completed their season with the Mid Valley Swim League Championships at the Oakdale Aquatic Center, hosting the meet. - photo by IKE DODSON/THE LEADER
Over 70 percent of Oakdale Gators youth swimmers saw improved times and 40 percent bested personal records in two or more events at the Mid Valley Swim League Championships on Saturday at the Oakdale Aquatic Center.
“It was really neat to be able to host the MVSL Championships the first year we have access to the new high school facilities,” Gators coach Brian Fogarty said. “It would not have been possible without the help of our parents and board members who volunteered their time.”
The meet was attended by hundreds of swimmers from all across the valley, the participants collecting under awnings and inside tents across the campus before taking part in events that saw as many as 70 swimmers across several heats.

Boys
The day also saw the final Oakdale Gator swims of longtime pool king Chris Terwilliger, who ended his career with championship honors in the 17-18 100 back. He was also fourth in the 50 free and 100 free.
Stephen Kjeldgaard (13-14) won the 100 IM, was fifth in the 50 fly and sixth in the 100 free as well. Brandon Terwilliger (15-16) was second in the 100 free, second in the 100 back and third in the 100 I.M.
Dustin VandenBosch (9-10) finished second in the 100 free, second in the 50 breast and fifth in the 50 free. Thomas Torres (11-12) ended second in the 50 back, fifth in the 50 free and seventh in the 100 free.
Nate Van Cleave (13-14) also took third in the 50 back, fourth in the 50 breast and fifth in the 100 I.M. Thomas Kjeldgaard (7-8) placed ninth in the 25 breast while Charles Kjeldgaard (six-and-under) ended ninth in the 50 free, 10th in the 50 breast and 10th in the 25 free. Chris Kjeldgaard (7-8) finished 10th in the 25 free as well.
Joseph Guerrero (13-14) was seventh in the 50 breast, sixth in the 50 fly and eighth in the 100 free. Neal Chandler (7-8) touched fourth in the 25 back, eighth in the 50 free and sixth in the 25 free. Caden Nord (9-10) also landed sixth in the 50 free and fifth in the 100 free while Jacob De Bow (9-10) was fifth in the 50 back, eighth in the 50 free and ninth in the 50 fly.
Cameron Elswick (15-16) was third in the 100 fly, ninth in the 100 free and 10th in the 50 free. Dominic Brown (six-and-under) took 10th in the 25 back while Colin Yeaman (7-8) was ninth in the 25 fly. Tyler Cooley (six-and-under) was fifth in the 25 back while David Terwilliger (7-8) ended fifth in the 25 free and ninth in the 50 free.
The 7-8 Oakdale boys placed third in the 100 free relay and third in the 100 medley relay as well.

Girls
Hayley Rivera was sharp in all three of her 9-10 races and ended fifth in the 50 fly, seventh in the 100 free and 10th in the 100 I.M.
CeCe Hurst (11-12) was fifth in the 50 back and sixth in the 50 fly while Kate Allen (11-12) ended fourth in the 50 breast.
Bianca Varela (13-14) was also fifth in the 50 fly, ninth in the 50 free and sixth in the 100 I.M. while Marissa Raggio (six-and-under) took fifth in the 25 fly. Kassidy Houck (9-10) was ninth in the 100 free and 10th in the 50 free as well. Oakdale swimmers will pick up the U.S.A. Swim season this fall and continue action all year.