Port Townsend was recently represented by a host of swimmers who finished in the top 10 for their event categories, in a regional meet that hosted more than 300 competitors.

This was the result as the Port Townsend REDfins Youth Swim Club competed in the last meet of the 2017-18 season Aug. 1, at the Pacific Northwest Wave Grand Poobah Invitational at the Juanita Aquatic Center in Kirkland.

Emily Harrenstein, head coach of the REDfins, offered her insights to The Leader on her swimmers' performances.

Harrenstein noted two PT swimmers in the 11-and-older age group dropped their best 100-yard freestyle times to below one minute, a feat that had yet to be accomplished — August Maberry recorded a time of 00:58.82, and Jamie Rogers came in at 00:59.34 — while fellow REDfin Gage Berry was close to breaking a minute, with a time of 01:01.20.

Harrenstein added the only long-distance competitor at this meet, PT's Tenzin Blersch, beat his previous best time in the 500-yard freestyle by almost 18 seconds, finishing with a time of 06:11.39.

“Every one of our swimmers in the 10-and-under age group posted a personal best time in at least one event,” Harrenstein said, citing as one example Wilhelmina Schmidt, who dropped 7 seconds in her 50-yard butterfly, and finished at 00:40.89.

Harrenstein praised Ana Cole for following suit in the same event, and finishing with her best time of 00:43.48, while Henry Takaki, one of the youngest of the REDfins, dropped his 50-yard backstroke time to 00:54.28.

“Ursula Schmidt began the meet with an event she had never swam before, the 100-yard individual medley, which contains all four strokes in one individual race,” Harrenstein said. “Ursula is the youngest REDfin swimmer to participate in the 100-yard individual medley.”

In the end, Schmidt's time was 01:38.81.

“Club spirits were high, as all the swimmers at the meet cheered on their teammates, making sure to rally club members for every event the REDfins competed in,” Harrenstein said.

Harrenstein reported she and her assistant coach both received several positive comments about their swimmers, from parents and fellow coaches alike, about the REDfins' effort in the water and their overall team spirit.

“There was never a time the REDfins athletes weren't cheering, while one of their own was in the water,” Harrenstein said. “Next season is going to be spectacular.”

Harrenstein has already targeted more meet opportunities for the Port Townsend swimmers, which she acknowledged will require “as many athlete leaders as possible,” to help swimmers who are new to competitions feel supported by their team.

“I want to keep their morale upbeat and active,” Harrenstein said. “I have no doubt my expectations will be exceeded.”

The Port Townsend REDfins 2019 season starts up Sept. 4 at the Mountain View Pool, the day after Labor Day. For more information, email redfins@cityofpt.us.