Valley City Sharks compete at F-M Gator Classic
Sub-zero weather did not put any chill on the Valley City Sharks as they competed at the FM Gators Mid-Winter Classic on January 29th at the Davies High School pool. Eleven swimmers from the Sharks competed against 258 swimmers from nine other teams. The meet started with 11 and Over session and the Sharks first relay race of season. The team of Sophie Gilbertson, Cambri Pfennig, Lincoln Berg and Travis Sichmeller posted a state qualifying time in the 200 Medley Relay. Travis Sichmeller was competing at meet for the first time and added a 6th place finish in the 50 yard freestyle and a 9th place finish in the 50 yard breaststroke to the first place finish by the relay team. Tricia Pfennig had a great meet with three top five finishes and posting a state qualifying time in the 50 yard butterfly. Cambri Pfenning had two top five finishes including a new personal best in the 200 breaststroke and finished in the top ten in two other races. Annabelle Milbrandt dropped time in three of her races and had top finish of 11th in 50 yrd butterfly. Avery Kohler had big time drops in all of her races and a top finish of 10th in the 50 yrd breaststroke. Sophie Gilbertson had top 5 finishes in three of her four races including a 3rd place finish in 100 yard backstroke. Lincoln Berg continued his strong swimming with three 2nd place finishes along with one 4th place finish. He also posted a state qualifying time in the 100 backstroke!
The Sharks had four swimmers competing in the 10 and Under session which also started with their first relay race this season. Harper Nelson, Leah Gregerson, Cambrie Westman and Nora Swenson swam a great medley relay in their first attempt. Cambrie Westman had another strong meet placing in the top ten in all of her races with her best finish a 4th place in the 50 yard backstroke. Nora Swenson continues to improve in her events and secured a 10th place finish in the 100 yard freestyle. Harper Nelson set a personal best time with her 9th place finish in the 100 freestyle. Leah Gregerson also posted great times and won her heat of the 50 breaststroke.
Coach Brian Wright said he was very pleased with the progress of team and added, “this meet pushed our swimmers with much shorter rest times between events than some of our other recent meets. They responded very well and swam some really fast times.” The Sharks are back at practice getting ready for the Brian Prochnow Memorial Invitational February 4th and 5th in West Fargo.