Irvine Novaquatics Boys, Fort Collins Girls Win Junior West Titles

2017 SPEEDO WINTER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – WEST

• December 6 – 9
• University of Iowa Recreation Center
• Iowa City, IA
• Live results
• Live stream
• Meet Central
• Psych Sheet

Irvine Novaquatics used a dominant performance in the men’s pool to win the overall title at the 2017 Speedo Winter Junior Championships – West. They placed only 5th last season, but ascended to the top of the table this weekend in Iowa City.

The girls’ meet was won by the Fort Collins Area Swim Team, who among other accomplishments set a National Age Group Record in the 200 yard medley relay.

We saw in the east, this meet can be won without winning an event – especially for teams with deep rosters (like the Irvine Novaquatics boys). Irvine actually did wind up winning 2 boys’ events – the last 2 of the meet – but by that point the scoring was well in hand.

Irvine winners:

• Andrew Koustik (200 fly – 1:43.69)
• 400 free relay (Sean Slusiewicz, Hunter Hitchens, Shawn Lou, Owen Kao)

Novaquatics scored exactly 100 points from B relays – which was enough to drive the margin open over runners-up KING, but not enough to cause the entirety of it.

15-year old Ella Ristic also contributed to Irvine’s win total in the girls’ meet, winning the 200 free in 1:46.90.

While the scoring margin wasn’t as big in the girls’ meet, a compact group of 6 from Fort Collins were, pound-for-pound, overwhelming at the meet – with each participant scoring individually:

• Colleen Gillilan – 81 points
• Zoe Bartel – 70 points
• Kylee Alons – 63 points
• Audrey Reimer – 18 points
• Bayley Stewart – 15 points
• Caraline Baker – 2 points

They also won 4 of the 5 relays (the 800 is the exception) – and most of those wins weren’t close either. In addition, they won 3 individual events, including a breaststroke sweep from Zoe Bartel.

Not to be overlooked in the matter is another compact team from the Magnlia Aquatic Club, who took 2nd in the girls’ meet and won the 800 free relay and 3 other individual events.

Final Team Scoring – Top 5

Combined:

1. Irvine Novaquatics – 608.5
2. Fort Collins Area Swim Team – 486
3. Magnolia Aquatic Club – 385.5
4. Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics – 284.5
5. King Aquatic Club – 235

Boys’:

1. Irvine Novaquatics – 357
2. King Aquatic Club – 205
3. North Texas Nadaddores – 201
4. KATY Aquatics – 169
5. Acaemy Bullets Swim Club – 158

Girls’:

1. Fort Collins Area Swim Team – 437
2. Magnolia Aquatic Club – 377
3. Irvine Novaquatics – 251.5
4. Austin Swim Club – 243
5. Brea Aquatics – 198