PT REDfins swimmers notch gold times

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The Port Townsend REDfins Youth Swim Club’s season is well underway, and several swimmers scored gold times at one of their most recent meets. 

Three teams competed Oct. 20 at William Shore Memorial Pool in Port Angeles, including 13 participants from the REDfins.

Emily Harrenstein, who coaches the REDfins, noted her swimmers overcame some adversity at the meet.

“During Magdaline Ferland’s 100-yard freestyle for the 13-14 age group, her goggles broke in the beginning, and her cap began to fall off through the rest of her race,” Harrenstein said. “Even with these hindrances, she continued at high speeds and completed her race with a faster time than the one she was seeded in.”

Harrenstein said Ferland showed “great perseverance.”

“She should be very proud of her performance,” Harrenstein said.

Harrenstein credited both Akeyla Behrenfeld, who participated in the 11-12 age group, and Gage Barry, who swam in the 13-14 age group, with making gold times, according to Pacific Northwest Swimming standards.

Harrenstein said Barry got a gold time of 57.54 seconds in his 100 freestyle, while Behrenfeld qualified for gold in all of her four events with times of 29.58 in the 50 free, 41.45 in the 50 breaststroke, 34.65 in the 50 butterfly and 1:18.16 in the 100 individual medley.

“Many athletes received best times in their events,” Harrenstein said. “For two of our athletes, Joshua Yearian, who competed in the 10-and-under, and Orion Pendley, who competed in the 15-and-over, this was their first meet of the year.”

Harrenstein praised her team with “performing well overall,” and, “as always, representing our team and our city excellently.”

Lena Curtis, aquatics program coordinator with the Mountain View Pool in Port Townsend, encouraged any interested swimmers to take part in REDfins tryouts from 5 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday.

“To be accepted, you need to have passed Level 4 swimming lessons, or demonstrate equivalent skills,” Curtis said.

“This sport follows logic well,” Harrenstein said. “You get out exactly what you put in, when it comes to time and effort. Their performances now and for the rest of their season will show that.”

For more information, email redfins@cityofpt.us.