Nome NorthStars shine bright at Anchorage Waterbowl Invitational swim meet
in the 2023 WaterBowl at the Bartlett Pool. While there were no touchdowns and the field was in fact a swimming pool, there were many yards covered by this small group of fast swimmers.
With ages ranging from 7 to 12, this was a young team that showed up to exhibit an advanced proficiency in Freestyle, Fly, Breast and Back, with several swimmers succeeding at Individual Medley Swim (a longer swim that includes all four strokes). With only 15 swimmers competing in a total of 85 events, the Northstars sometimes found themselves hopping out of one lane and immediately lining up for another race.
Two swimmers captured first place at this well attended Central Area meet. Ari Blandford, 7, took first place in the 25 Backstroke. Brandon Ford, 11, won the 100 Backstroke. Ella Hubert, 10, and Liam Erickson-Ford, 12, were both less than a second away from Age Group Qualifying times. Nome’s own “Distance Denali” Walrath, 10, completed another grueling 500 Freestyle race, finishing up the event with a personal best time on the final 50 yards. Keep an eye on Denali, she is training for longer distances and with her dedication she will go far.
The Northstars will be having one final time trial before making their final plans for the Age Group Championship meet later this month. Currently the swimmers who have qualified for the meet are Lexi Blandford, Brandon Ford, Ella Hubert, Talan Johnson and Kinley Knipfer.
Nome Northstar swimmers wrapped up January with a time-trial meet at home in Nome. The time trials saw Talan Johnson achieve another Age Group time, bringing his qualified event count up to five for the Anchorage Age Group Championship meet mid-February.
The next home meet will be February 8. That will be the last opportunity for Nome swimmers to obtain qualifying times for the Age Group Championship on February 17.
Community members get ready, we will also be hosting the “Pot of Gold” swim meet on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, with times set aside for exhibition races that we invite members of the community to compete in. If you have not attended a swim meet at Nome Pool, we encourage you to come check out our new timing equipment and cheer our swimmers on from our viewing deck.