NWAA largest group from state at Central Sectionals
Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006
BENTONVILLE — Thirteen athletes representing Northwest Arkansas Aquatics (NWAA) attended the Central Sectional Championships last weekend in Oklahoma City, Okla. This was the largest contingent of swimmers to represent the state of Arkansas by nearly ten swimmers and is the largest group to attend the meet for NWAA in more than 6 years.
Representing NWAA were Bentonville swimmers Nicole Cindric, Chris Hyatt, Ben Suchy, Nathan Hinds, Julia Johannesen, Brittany Potter, Alyssa Potter, Samantha Wright, Michael Haefner, Ellis Miller, Pearson Gean and Richard Schacht and Andy Denefe of Rogers.
Alyssa Potter came home with the most time improvements, improving her best time in three out of her six events including one AAAA time standard in the 100 butterfly.
She finished in the top 20 in four events.
Denefe only swam two events but did achieve his first ever Junior National time standard in the 50 freestyle.
He finished eighth overall out of more than 70 competitors.
Hyatt improved his 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke times and placed in the top 20 in both events.
Cindric placed in the top 20 in two events, including an 11 th-place finish in the 100 backstroke with a AAAA time standard.
Gean, in his first appearance at sectionals, improved his time in the 100 backstroke and was one of the few 13-year-olds qualified for this very fast meet.
Haefner led off the 400 medley relay with a lifetime best time in the 100 backstroke.
Hinds improved his time in both of his events, the 100 & 200 breaststroke.
Brittany Potter had two top 20 finishes including a 13 th-place finish in the 200 butterfly.
Miller had two lifetime best swims and finished in the top 20 in three out of six events. He was easily one of the top swimmers under the age of 15 at this meet.
The 400 medley relay team of Cindric, Alyssa Potter, Brittany Potter and Johannesen finished 16 th.
These athletes and more than 60 of their NWAA teammates will compete this weekend at the Arkansas Swimming State Championships meet in Little Rock starting Friday.
NWAA is looking to defend its state title from the summer. Razorback Aquatic Club
The Razorback Aquatic Club had three swimmers excel at the Sectional Championships.
Tonya Gramstad of Bentonville placed 11 th in the 1650 freestyle and 15 th in the 500 freestyle.
Both swims were RAC team records as were two of her other events.
She also swam the 200 freestyle and 1000 freestyle, placing 19 th and 38 th, respectively.
Also breaking team records at the meet was 12-year-old Jenny Holtzen of Fayetteville, who finished 30 th in the 200 breaststroke.
Nick Carter of Rogers also broke two team records in the 1000 and 1650 freestyle. He placed 36 th in the 1650 freestyle.
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