Newport girls swim to state

The 2024 Howard Jones Open swim meet was held at the Mt Hood Community College Aquatic Center June 20-23. This outdoor 50-meter facility hosted 18 Oregon swim teams, and over 670 swimmers participated. Lake Oswego Swim Club won both the boys’ and girls’ team titles, while 5 Newport girls took part and finished in 11th place in the girls’ and qualifying times for State Champs next month and team scores.

Individually, each of the local ladies showed off their abilities with multiple personal best times, top 10 placings in their age group, and qualifying times for State Champs next month and, in the case of 14 yr old Gwynn Postlewait, a time standard for the Senior Zones Championships in Clovis, Calif in late July.

Overall, out of 25 swims by the NST girls, they posted 16 personal best times. Zoey Chappell, ten, a true inspiration, only competed on Sunday but had an outstanding day. She raced three times, all 3 PRs, in the 10 & Under division, winning the 200 IM and 50 Free and 3rd in the 50 Breaststroke and recorded one new 11 yr old qualifying time. A true inspiration only competed on Sunday. Skyla Chen, 12 – raced six times and posted 4 PRs, placed 9th in the 100 Butterfly. Ruby Perucci, 15, competed with the 15 & Over group (which includes numerous 18- and older competitors).

She posted 3 PRs in her three races and placed in the boys’ and girls’ team titles. Five Newport girls took part and finished in 11th place in the girls’ and qualifying times for State Champs next month, and 3 participated in the 200 Backstroke. Gwynn Postlewait, 14 – competing in the 13-14 girls’ division, had 2 PRs out of her six races, placed 3rd in the 100 & 200 Breaststroke and 50 Free, and recorded 2 Oregon Swimming Championship A times.

She also recorded a Bonus qualifying time in the 200 Breaststroke and her A time in the 50 Free for the Senior Zones mentioned above. Kenlie Ware, 8 – a shining example of resilience and determination, had an outstanding meet, posting PRs in 4 of her six races, recording two 9-year-old A times for the State Champs in the 50 Back and 100 Free.

But most significant was her placing among other 8-year-olds. Racing in the ten and Under division, her best finish was 17th in the 200 Free and 19th in the 100 Breast. But her finishes just among the 8-year-olds showed a 2nd, 3rd, two - 4th, and two 6th places.