Ted Walker meet draws 16 swim teams to The Dalles

THE GORGE — Hood River and The Dalles summer swim teams competed in the 73rd Annual Ted Walker  Invitational swim meet June 12-14 at the North Wasco County Aquatic Center in The Dalles.

Both teams had athletes qualify for the USA Swimming/Oregon Swimming Inc. (OSI) Long Course State Championship age 12-and-under meet July 10-12 at the Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center in Beaverton.

The Dalles swim team, guided by fifth-year Coach Ann Goodman, had two swimmers who earned a spot at state: Sebastian Powell (boys age 12) and Maili Doty (girls age 13). Doty will compete in the OSJ Age 13 and over meet July 23-26 in Beaverton.

The Ted Walker meet included more than 542 swimmers representing 16 teams from around the Northwest. It was the largest turnout ever in the history of the event.

“This was the biggest meet ever, and it was almost twice the size of the number of entrants of the previous largest meet,” said Goodman, whose team was competing in its first meet on the summer schedule. “There are some pools that have been closed recently, including the Mt. Hood Community College pool, which is being renovated, so it limits the opportunity for kids to swim in meets that give them an opportunity to qualify for state. All of our kids swam really well.”

Other swimmers on The Dalles 49-member squad who had standout performances included girls team members Fiona McInnes (age 14), Makenzie Erickson (age 13) and Marcela Cushman (age 11).

“It was a very successful meet for our team, and I think a lot of people went home feeling happy,” said Goodman. “We gave medals to our kids who finished in the top three, and they really like that. There’s not a lot of teams who do that because it’s kind of expensive. We have anonymous donations from people who help pay for the awards, but almost everyone knows who they are.”

The Dalles boys team top performances included those by Mason Cramblett (age 14), Will Smith (age 13), Silas Vaught (age 12) and Elijah Bachman (age 12). Bachman and Vaught are expected to earn state qualifying positions this weekend.

“I was really worried about having such a large meet in terms of the number of people attending the event,” said Goodman. “Everybody wanted to come to the meet. I think that almost all of the local hotels were all filled up and everyone was going to all the restaurants in The Dalles, too. I think our town benefited economically very well. The meet ran very well and meet director Shelly Anslinger did a great job. I’m really proud of all the parents of team members who helped out, as well.”

The Hood River club swim team, guided by long-time (26 years) Coach Shelley Rawding, had several swimmers who had outstanding performances. Izzie Mack (age 7) won three age 12U girls event finals — the 50-meter butterfly, 100-meter backstroke, and the 200-meter individual medley. Alice Clark (age 8) won four girls events, including the 50 back, 100 breast, 50 free and the 100 free. Finn Blackeslee (age 10) won the boys 12U 200 free.

“They are all doing great so far this year,” said Rawding, whose squad had 21 swimmers compete in The Dalles. “I always enjoy coaching the swimmers, especially in the summer when we can get outside and swim. The swimmers did their best in The Dalles, and it’s always fun to watch them try hard.”

The Hood River swim team has 60 swimmers who compete all year in swim meets. It marked the fourth meet of the spring/summer season for the Hood River swim team, which started participating in meets in April.

The Dalles and Hood River swim teams will compete this weekend. The Dalles swim team will compete in the Prineville Invitational meet June 19-21 at the Crook County Parks and Recreation Center in Prineville. The Hood River swim team will compete at a meet June 19-21 in Bend.