December 17-21, 2010
Speedo Gold Sectional Championships
Long Beach, CA
Short Course Yards

Kevin Mertz, Mikaela Fuller, and Haley Owens qualified for the Speedo Gold Sectional Championships held in Long Beach at the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool December 17-21.  This meet played host to approximately 2000 men and women representing 104 teams from Pacific Swimming, Central California, San Diego - Imperial, Southern California & sub regions, and Sierra Nevada Swimming.

Some of the world's fastest swimmers were in attendance including foreign athletes and collegiate swimmers.  Time standards were required to be eligible to swim in this meet.

Overall, AquaSol was tied for 49th - without any relays.

In the small team division, AquaSol placed 20th out of 84 teams with 27 points.

Kevin, Mikaela, Haley	The Group
Driving to the Meet

Kevin Mertz got his first Grand Prix cut in the 1000 along with bonus Grand Prix cuts in everything else. He also got a Junior National bonus time in the 1000. Kevin will attend the Santa Clara International Invitational in June, which hosts swimmers from all over the world including our own Olympic team. He was 8th in the 1000 (Championship Final) and 20th in the 500 (Bonus consolation final).

Mikaela Fuller got a Far Western time in the 400 IM and a new sectional cut in the 1000. (she went in with a bonus time)

Haley Owens broke 2:30 in the 200 Breast and bettered her time twice in both time trials (200 Breast).

"I am real proud of these three swimmers," said Coach Steve.  Haley and Mikaela handled themselves real well at their first meet of this kind and Kevin really showed what he is made of as he put it all on the line every time he raced.  I was glad to see him go after it in his first final. He raced some big time people and used that situation to his advantage.

Individual Meet Results:

Haley Owens (14 years old)
2 best times       
200 Breast F 2:30.53 "AAA"
200 Breast F 2:29.96 "AAA"

Mikaela Fuller (16 years old)
4 best times
100 Free P 56.88 "AA"
200 Free F 2:01.42 "AA"
500 Free Swim Off 5:18.97 "AA"
500 Free P 5:18.97 "AA"
1000 Free F 10:43.19 "AAA"
1650 Free F 17:50.13 "AAA"
400 IM F 4:45.59 "AA"

Kevin Mertz (15 years old)
8 best times - 5 new time standards
200 Free F 1:45.38 "AAA"    
500 Free Prelims 4:38.84 "AAAA"    
500 Free Finals 4:40.26 "AAAA"    
1000 Free F 9:33.41 "AAAA"    
100 Fly P 54.52 "AAA"    
100 Fly Swim Off 54.83 "AAA"    
200 Fly P 1:55.14 "AAAA"    
400 IM P 4:09.86 "AAAA"

Meet Results from Swim Connection