For Newton Now
The Newton Nitros took home the 2018-19 Missouri Valley Small Teams trophy at Missouri Valley Championships February 21-24 in Wichita.
The Missouri Valley is comprised of all swim clubs in Kansas and half of Missouri with an eastern boundary around Columbia and participants describe the victory as similar to winning a state championship. Only the top swimmers qualify for the competition.
“It was a true team effort,” said Coach Clinton Bailey. “The relay points we were able to secure was vital to our team scoring placement. Despite all the girls focusing on their individual races, they turned out record breaking performances and helped our team win with all the points they racked up on the relays.”
The team earned the designation scoring 416 points; 92 points ahead of second place. The team saw multiple team records broken, including three relay records in the Women’s Open Division. Rachel Bailey, Madison Horton, Annika Senn and Addison Schroeder competed in the 4×200 Freestyle, 4×100 Freestyle & 400 Medley Relays.
They shattered the 800 Freestyle and 400 Freestyle relay records by 16.36 seconds and 8.22 seconds respectively, both set in 2009. The relays also earned top finishes including a 6th place finish in the 800 Freestyle Relay.
Lauryn Vogt had an outstanding meet, earning a high-point trophy with 118 points in the 10&U girls division. She shattered many of her own team records. Her individual event first place finishes included the 100 IM and 100 Backstroke.
Andrew Guyer was the highest boy’s scorer for the Nitros with 81 points in his 11-12 division. His highest finishes included two 4th places in the 50 Backstroke and 50 Butterfly.
“I just had my birthday last week, so I still get to swim as a 12 year old next season and learn from this meet,” he said.
Oliver Krehbiel dropped 3.88 seconds on the last day of the meet in his 100 Breaststroke (1:02.32) earning him an entrance time to compete at the Speedo Spring Sectional meet in Columbia, Mo, March 7-10. He placed 11th in the 15&Over Boy’s division and 9th in the 200 Breaststroke. He scored 18 points for the Nitros.
Each season, swimmers must qualify at regular season meets to compete at the championship meet. To advance to finals, they must place in the top 16 in prelims.
“It’s a long meet with many of our kids swimming each race twice in one day at their maximum,” Bailey said. “ I’m very proud of their swims, but I’m even more proud of how the team did as teammates, taking care to cheer for one another and celebrate each other’s accomplishments.”
The Nitros take a two week break in March and begin Long Course season training that runs through August. The Nitros will offer a Summer Swim Team from mid-May through the end of June with the opportunity to compete in four meets in Newton. This non-travel team will focus on swimming and racing in a fun environment. To learn more visit: newtonsummerswim.com.
