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NORTH COAST, Calif. — Twenty-nine Lake County Channel Cats traveled to Mendocino County last weekend to participate in the Ukiah Swim Meet.
The event took place on Saturday, July 24, and Sunday, July 25.
It was an exciting day for coaches, swimmers and families because this was the first competitive meet that the Channel Cats had participated in since before the pandemic.
“New generations of coaches and swimmers attended this meet,” Coach Tanya Vasquez said.
“We haven’t seen this many swimmers want to swim competitively since our days at the Westshore Pool,” said team President Jennifer Hanson.
“When Quail Run told us that we wouldn’t be able to offer lessons in their pool this year, we thought it was finally the end of the Lake County Channel Cats. But then we found the Loch Lomond pool and with the help of the pool owner, Caroline McCahey, we are offering lessons to over 200 swimmers right now,” Hanson said.
The Lake County Channel Cats are being led by seven coaches in total — all former Channel Cats and high school athletes themselves.
Of the 29 swimmers who traveled to Ukiah last weekend, only nine had competed previously.
“The team is young, motivated, and ready to learn,” said Head Coach Nikki Hanson. “Unfortunately, our new pool does not have dive blocks, swim lines or a second wall for flip turn practice. However, our team learned these skills while warming up at the meet and proved that they can be competitive against teams that have all of these resources at their disposal.”
Four Channel Cats won their respective races.
Amelia Vezeau (8), swimming in her first swim meet, placed first in the 25-yard butterfly.
Athen Batres (10) won the 100-yard backstroke.
Riley Lopez (14) placed first in the grueling 200-yard breaststroke and Makayla Mace (14) placed first in the 200-yard freestyle.
The Channel Cats will conclude their season on Aug. 10th and host an awards banquet on Aug. 11 to celebrate their successful summer season.
Follow the Lake County Channel Cats on Facebook to get information on next year’s team.
