Junior lifeguards compete in ‘tribute’ to teammate
In just one week, Christian Quinones ran the gamut of emotions from incredible sadness over the loss of a fellowPompano Beach Junior Lifeguard program member to giving his all at a championship skills competition.
Quinones,13, andmost of those involved in the organization attended a funeral service for 22-year-old Konnor Katzmark, a former junior lifeguard killed in an auto accident.
According to reports, Katzmark was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road after bait fishing. ThePompanoBeachJunior Lifeguard program held a memorial service and a paddle out to celebrate the life of Katzmark.
“He meant somuchtome,” said Quinones, whowas amongthemore than 200 competitors in the James P. “Mac” McCarthyMemorial Regional Lifesaving Championships in Delray Beach. Quinones won the rescue board race and beach flags events in the Boys BDivision.
“When I came to Pompano, [Katzmark] was like a big brother to me,” Quinones said. “He took me in and taught me everything I know. He was such a nice guy. This is a big tribute tohim. Hewasalwayshappywhenhe was lifeguarding and I am just trying to get into that spirit that he had.”
Quinones, who is a student at Pompano Beach Middle School, topped Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety junior lifeguard Luke Valenchis for the title in the beach flags challenge.
Valenchis, 13, of Hollywood, takes classes at Beachside Montessori Village. He competed in the regional lifeguard skills event for the first time.
“I really didn’t knowwhat to expect,” said Valenchis, who would like to be involved in lifeguard competitions although he plans to pursue baseball or architecture as a profession. “I just wanted to place, especially in beach flags. Iwould love todothiswhenI get older.”
Hollywood’s Bridget Alex successfully defended her championship in the Girls 19-Under Division distance run. That performance shouldn’t be a surprise since she is a standout cross-country runner atSt. ThomasAquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale.
“Last year I got first [place]. I was hoping to keep that streak going this year and I did,” said Alex, 17. “It definitely feels good. It has always been a goal of mine to achieve that so it feels really great.”
Alex has been a junior lifeguard for the Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety Junior Lifeguard programfor 10 years.
“I’vemadesomany friends out of thiswho will probably be friends for the rest of my life,” Alexsaid. “Ihaveknownall of these kids since I was really, really little and it has definitely been one ofmy favorite things.
Pompano Beach’s Gwen Bencie, 16, of the Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue Junior Lifeguard program, won three individual events in the Girls 19-Under Division — distance swim, rescue board race and surfski.
Pompano Beach Junior Lifeguard Mattheus Santos, 16, of Lauderdale By The Sea, took first place in the distance swim and run swim run competitions. He was also a member of the winning surf rescue relay.
Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue’s Gabriel Machado, 13, of Fort Lauderdale, won the distance run in the Boys B Division.
Hollywood’s Mark Modzelewski, 16, who competed for the Hollywood Fire Rescue andBeachSafety program, wonthe surfski in the Boys 19-Under Division. The homeschooled student has been a junior lifeguard since age 7.
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