La Grande Swim Club finds success in Pendleton

PENDLETON — The La Grande Swim Club participated in the Summer Solstice Invitational Swim Meet in Pendleton June 20-21. The meet was co-hosted by the Pendleton Swim Association and the Spokane Area Swimming Club.

Sixteen teams competed from Northeast Oregon, eastern Washington, and Idaho. Though the weather was inconsistent over the weekend the swimmers swam well, LGSC head coach Joe Andrews said.

LGSC had two individual high point winners. Dhara-Chai McDermott and Matt Cook both scored more points than the competitors in their respective age groups.

All three swimmers dropped significant time from the first time they swam this race several weeks ago.

Smith and Cook also raced the 400 freestyle and swam at their best times despite increased heavy training the week before.

“These boys are really working their hearts out every day, twice a day in the pool,” Andrews said. “In the last week alone they swam over 20 miles. They will not see any rest until the LSC Championships in Wenatchee, Wash., July 23-26.”

Cook was the only individual event winner, winning four events in his age division, the 50-meter freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke and the 200 Backstroke.

“Matt's times and placing are extremely well considering how much work he is putting in during practice,” Andrews said.

Eight-year-old McDermott had an excellent meet placing in the top three in most of her events, Andrews said.

“She raced well in a variety of strokes and distances,” Andrews said. “This versatility allowed her to take home the overall high point winner for her age group.”

Moriah Brown and Josh Ebel improved almost every race despite coming off several months out of the pool.

Tony Clay, 10 years old, raced extremely well in a tough 9-10 year old division. He had a third-place finish in the 50- meter butterfly.

“Tony is a real leader to his peers,” Andrews said. “He races very tough and with focus beyond his years.”

LGSC will be back in action this weekend at the Veterans Memorial Pool for the La Grande Invitational. The first events will start at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.