MONROE - To some 13 may be an unlucky number, but to Green County Golden Gator YMCA swim coach Mark Lang 13 is a blessing.
He has a positive outlook on 13 because that's how many Golden Gator swimmers qualified and will swim at the YMCA state meet March 19 to 21, at the Schroeder Aquatic Center, Brown Deer.
Rachel Root, 14, qualified for four state events including the 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, 200 individual medley and 200 backstroke. Root is the top seed in the 100 and 200 backstroke.
Marissa Berg, 13, also will swim four races at state including the 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke and 50 freestyle. Berg is the third seed in the 50 and 100 freestyles.
"Marissa and Rachel have a pretty good chance to finish in the top 10," Lang said.
The Gators have five 8-and-under swimmers who will compete at state including Kiara Donnell, Emily Meritt, Nina Schiro, Hannah Swenson and Breanne Wilhite.
In the 8-and-under 100 freestyle relay the Gators will have Donell, Meritt, Schiro and Wilhite swim. Donnell will swim the 25 freestyle and Swenson will compete in the 25 backstroke. Swenson will team with Donnell, Meritt, and Schito in the 100 medley relay.
"In the girls 8-and-under medley and freestyle relays, I would say the girls could be in the top 10 or 12," Lang said.
Every Gator swimmer and their families put in a tremendous amount of time and hard work during the season, he said.
"There is a sacrifice made not only by the child, but the parent to stand by them for five long months," Lang said.
In the boys competition, James Curran and Kelvin Johnson, both 14, will be busy as each will swim in six events. Curran qualified for state in four individual events including the 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, 50 freestyle and on two relays. Johnson qualified for state in the 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 IM and the 50 freestyle.
Grant Keith, 13, qualified for state in five events including three individual races, the 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 50 freestyle.
Keith will team up with Cody Wolf, Curran and Johnson in the 200 freestyle relay. The Gators' 200 medley relay team of Keith, Johnson, Curran and Wolff, is looking for a strong finish.
"We have a good group in the 13 to 14 boys relays," Lang said. "I don't know if we will medal, but we should be in the top six."
Noah Zimmerman, 9, will swim in the 50 butterfly and Will Fenner, 15, will compete in the 100 and 200 backstrokes.
He has a positive outlook on 13 because that's how many Golden Gator swimmers qualified and will swim at the YMCA state meet March 19 to 21, at the Schroeder Aquatic Center, Brown Deer.
Rachel Root, 14, qualified for four state events including the 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, 200 individual medley and 200 backstroke. Root is the top seed in the 100 and 200 backstroke.
Marissa Berg, 13, also will swim four races at state including the 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke and 50 freestyle. Berg is the third seed in the 50 and 100 freestyles.
"Marissa and Rachel have a pretty good chance to finish in the top 10," Lang said.
The Gators have five 8-and-under swimmers who will compete at state including Kiara Donnell, Emily Meritt, Nina Schiro, Hannah Swenson and Breanne Wilhite.
In the 8-and-under 100 freestyle relay the Gators will have Donell, Meritt, Schiro and Wilhite swim. Donnell will swim the 25 freestyle and Swenson will compete in the 25 backstroke. Swenson will team with Donnell, Meritt, and Schito in the 100 medley relay.
"In the girls 8-and-under medley and freestyle relays, I would say the girls could be in the top 10 or 12," Lang said.
Every Gator swimmer and their families put in a tremendous amount of time and hard work during the season, he said.
"There is a sacrifice made not only by the child, but the parent to stand by them for five long months," Lang said.
In the boys competition, James Curran and Kelvin Johnson, both 14, will be busy as each will swim in six events. Curran qualified for state in four individual events including the 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, 50 freestyle and on two relays. Johnson qualified for state in the 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 IM and the 50 freestyle.
Grant Keith, 13, qualified for state in five events including three individual races, the 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 50 freestyle.
Keith will team up with Cody Wolf, Curran and Johnson in the 200 freestyle relay. The Gators' 200 medley relay team of Keith, Johnson, Curran and Wolff, is looking for a strong finish.
"We have a good group in the 13 to 14 boys relays," Lang said. "I don't know if we will medal, but we should be in the top six."
Noah Zimmerman, 9, will swim in the 50 butterfly and Will Fenner, 15, will compete in the 100 and 200 backstrokes.
