The Cortez Leopard Sharks youth swimming team had a strong showing at the Montrose Fall Open last weekend.
The Leopard Sharks had five first-place finishes at the Montrose Aquatic Center, three of which came from 8-year-old Elizabeth McAlpin.
McAlpin took first in the girls 8U 25-yard backstroke and butterfly in 21.25 and 25.08. She also placed at the top of the podium in the girls 8U 50-yard backstroke in 50.54. McAlpin even had two second- and-third-place finishes. She recorded second-place times of 1:02.27 in the 8U 50-yard breaststroke and 45.60 in the girls 8U 50-yard freestyle. McAlpin placed third in the girls 8U 25-yard breaststroke (27.26) and 25-yard freestyle (20.98).
Other first-place times came from Jayden and Troy Thomason. Jayden, 6, the youngest swimmer at the meet, took the top time in the girls 8U 25-yard freestyle in 18.35. Troy, 7, won the boys 8U 100-yard backstroke at 2:34.32.
The Leopard Sharks placed ninth as a team with 259 points. The Montrose Marlins won the meet with 6,071.5 points.
Other girls finishes for the Leopard Sharks in the 8U 25-yard freestyle were, 12th, Ellen McAlpin, 24.85; and, 13th, Scott Earley, 24.98. Girls 8U 25-yard backstroke, sixth, Ellen McAlpin, 25.05; and, 12th, Jayden Thomason, 27.44. Girls 8U 50-yard breaststroke, 25th, Alexx Earley, 1:02.26. Girls 8U 25-yard breaststroke, 13th, Jayden Thomason, 1:00.74. Girls 8U 50-yard backstroke, ninth, Ellen McAlpin, 58.75; 14th, Jayden Thomason, 1:06.75; and, 16th, Scott Earley, 1:09.15. Girls 9-10 25-yard butterfly, eighth, Alexx Earley, 33.15. Girls 8U 50-yard freestyle, 15th, Ellen McAlpin, 1:01.47; 17th, Jayden Thomason, 1:03.20; and, 18th, Scott Earley, 1:04.20.
Other finishes for Troy Thomason in boys 8U swimming were, 25-yard backstroke, eighth, 30.72; 50-yard backstroke, seventh, 1:02.68; and, 50-yard freestyle, sixth, 1:04.03.
The Leopard Sharks will swim next at the Towaoc Spirit of Christmas Meet on Dec 16-18 to finish up the year. The event is hosted by the Towaoc, Four Corners Aquatic Team.