Competing against clubs from Durango and Farmington, the Cortez Water Dragons swim team more than held its own at the Durango High Altitude Classic, which was held at the Durango Recreation Center June 8 and 9.
Leading the way for the Water Dragons with wins in seven individual events was Erin Lawrence, who finished first in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:42.82), 100 freestyle (1:14.95), 200 backstroke (3:06.57), 50 freestyle (33.00), 200 breaststroke (3:29.92), 50 breaststroke (45.42) and 100 backstroke (1:20.45). Lawrence competed in the girls 11-12 age division.
Also registering seven individual event wins for the Water Dragons was 8-year-old Bodie Fischer, who ruled the boys’ 8-9 age division with top finishes in the 100 freestyle (2:17.54), 25 freestyle (23.88), 50 backstroke (1:05.07), 25 butterfly (34.46), 100 backstroke (2:19.86), 50 breaststroke (1:16.47) and 200 freestyle (5:20.28).
Other top finishers for the Water Dragons included 6-year-old Fynn Anderson, who finished first in the boys 6-and-under age division in the 100 freestyle (2:25.28), 25 freestyle (25.28), 50 backstroke (1:06.82) and 25 breaststroke (38.96).
Jayden White won the 100 individual medley (1:51.51) and the 100 breaststroke (1:47.98) in the girls 9-10 age division, Braden Schmittel finished first in the 50 butterfly (39.61) and the 100 breaststroke (1:44.10) in the boys 13-14 age division, and Brandon Lester took top honors in the 50 butterfly (36.28) and the 100 backstroke (1:21.12) in the boys 15-and-over age division.
Also winning at least one individual event for the Water Dragons was Brigg Decker, who placed first in the 200 butterfly (4:03.03); Delta Suckla, who touched the wall first in the 100 breaststroke (1:33.86); Taylor Johnson, who won the 25 breaststroke (29.85); Houston Hurst, who won the 200 backstroke (3:21.64); Nielson Hurst, who beat the field in the 50 backstroke (1:01.63); and Matthew Vega, who finished first in the 100 backstroke (2:19.86).
With local meets in Cortez and Durango now behind them, Cortez Water Dragons swimmers will return to practice at the Cortez Municipal Pool to hone their skills before hitting the road for the Montrose Marlins Summer Open, which will take place in Montrose from June 28-30.
