IVDA fares well at Far Westerns
SANTA CLARA — Members of the Imperial Valley Desert Aquatics swim team traveled to compete in the Far Western Championships hosted by Santa Clara Swim Club here earlier this month.
The meet is one of the most competitive in the nation, as it includes the top 15 percent of athletes in the United States.
IVDA took a handful of swimmers to the meet.
They competed in numerous events.
For the local squad, Jacob Ritter competed in to 100 free, 200 free, 100 breast, 200 breast, 100 fly and 200 individual medley.
Ritter fared well in the 200 IM, finishing in 1:58.89 for a sixth-place finish.
C.J. Manuel competed in a pair of events, swimming in the 50 free and 100 back, while Landynn Olivas also swam in two events, including the 50 fly and 100 fly.
Rounding out the group was Nathan Ostermann who raced in four events.
Ostermann swam in the 50 free, 100 free, 50 breast and 100 breast.
IVDA Head Coach Nikie Lopez said she was proud of her team’s effort at the meet and the work it took to get there.
“I am so proud of every one of these kids,” Lopez said.
“Just making it to Far Westerns is a huge accomplishment and swimming well at this meet is huge.
It is so nice to coach a group of kids that love the sport as much as I do.
I can’t wait to see what the summer brings for all the IVDA swimmers.”