The Mena Barracuda swim team opened its 2017 season at the Christus St. Michael Fitness Center in Texarkana, Texas. Fifteen swimmers competed, while Larson Woods, Malachi Lea, and Andrew Erickson participated in their first event.
Emily Sorge and Brad Bates started the day off with wins in the 500 yard freestyle event. Since they did not field relay teams, Mena’s next points came when Brendan Ricker won the Butterfly stroke in the 10 & Under division. Eight different Barracudas contributed event victories in a well balanced scoring attack. Brendan Ricker won three events and scored 5th in another to lead Barracuda scoring with 31 points.
The Boys Senior division (ages 15-18) saw Mena finish first or second in every event they competed. Caleb Bowers won the 100 backstroke, Ian Garrett won the 50 Freestyle, and Matthew Nance won the 200 individual medley. In the 100 freestyle race Bates, Garrett, Nance, and Bowers placed 2nd-5th respectively. The senior girls division saw Lilly Garrett add a 100 breaststroke win. In addition to her opening win, Emily Sorge finished 4th or higher in her other events.
The closest race of the day was the 12& Under 50 yard freestyle when Magnolia’s Elaina Reeves out-touched Mena’s Ranessa Ricker by one-hundredth of a second. While Abigail Nance placed 4th by only six tenths off the winning pace. First time competitors Larson Woods, Malachi Lea, and Andrew Erickson all competed well in their first races.
Individual points for Mena was: Brendan Ricker, 31; Brad Bates, 29; Ranessa Ricker, 26; Emily Sorge, 25; Caleb Bowers, 24; Abigail Nance, 24; Lilly Garrett, 23; Ian Garrett, 22; Allison Bates, 21; Matthew Nance, 20; Auden Woods, 20; Larson Woods, 5; and Moriah Lea, 4. Overall, Mena placed 4th out of 7 teams in the Summer Only division, earning a total of 274 points.
The previous weekend the Barracudas attended the AAU Summer Kick Off Invitational Meet on Saturday, May 27th, held in El Dorado, Arkansas.
Participating swimmers were awarded ribbons for places 1st thru 8th in individual events. The results of the Barracudas swimmers were:
Ranessa Ricker, age 12 – 50m Fly – 4th place; 50m Backstroke – 8th place; 200m Freestyle – 6th place; 50m Breaststroke – 5th place; and 100m Freestyle – 4th place.
Brenden Ricker, age 10 – 50m Fly – 4th place; 100m Breaststroke -2nd place; 200m Breaststroke – 1st place; and 200m Individual Medley – 4th place.
Allison Bates, age 13 – 50m Fly – 1st place; 50m Breaststroke – 1st place; 100m Breaststroke – 3rd place; 100m Freestyle – 2nd place; and 50m Free – 4th place. Allison also received a 3rd place individual medal for high points in her age group.
The Barracudas will host their first home meet of the season Saturday, June 10, at McMillan Pool.
About Author
Jeri Pearson
Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.
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