VICENZA, Italy -- February was the "Super Bowl" month of swimming for Vicenza's Mako Sharks swim team.
Twenty-eight swimmers traveled Feb. 7 to Acireale, Sicily to compete in the European Forces Swim League (EFSL) Southern Division Championships, the last meet of the regular season in which all swimmers have an opportunity to qualify for championships.
Overall, 27 swimmers either qualified or earned their spot to participate in the EFSL Championships that took place Feb. 27-28 in Eindhoven, Netherlands, marking the largest number of swimmers Vicenza has ever sent to championships.
The Sharks' competitive season, September to February, offered swimmers the opportunity to compete, set and chase personal goals, and develop a lifelong love for swimming-- and make some friends along the way.
Of the 28 swimmers who attended divisionals, 23 swam personal bests in at least one individual event. The Mako Sharks placed many swimmers on the Southern Division podium. Kylie Davenport, 13, placed first in her three events, as did her sister, 10-year-old Madisson. Not only did Madisson place in her events, she is the current EFSL record holder in the 400 meter freestyle, which she set earlier this season.
Two first-place finishes were also scored by Rose Powell, 17; Ethan Amis, 17; Camilo Gravito, 7; and Kinley Jones, 7. Elizabeth Williams, 16, placed second in all of her events.
Other swimmers who earned medals during Divisionals include, Kate Bender, 10; Sam Bender, 11; MaolEwon Coffey, 10; Emilia Counsil, 10; Alejandra Garavito, 9; Sabrina Groth, 13; Tyler Hale, 14; Piper Jones, 11; Jessica Maddox, 16; Tabitha Maddox, 14; Isabel Mesa, 11; Caroline Nuckowski, 14; Sophie Nuckowski, 12; Laney Reardon, 9; Giulia Sanchez, 12; Alex Sendmeyer, 11; Paige Sendmeyer, 14; and Bethany Williams, 13.
The Sharks swam hard and earned third place in the division. This is the first trophy earned in recent history of the team.
"There is nothing more rewarding than watching these swimmers conquer their goals. Whether it's mastering a new flip turn or grabbing that gold medal, it's great to see their hard work pay off," said head coach Alicia Sendmeyer.
League Championships saw the Mako Sharks racking up medals and placement ribbons once again.
With the EFSL, comprised of nearly 1,000 swimmers, the team represented themselves in championship form. They earned 10th place overall in Europe, to include fourth overall in Girls Gold Medal count-- an achievement ensured by Kylie and Maddie Davenport, earning seven gold medals each.
The Davenports also earned Overall Top Points Earners in each of their age categories, accompanying their EFSL Pentathlon first-place finishes (top all-around swimmers in all four strokes and the Individual Medley over the course of the entire season).
Other top performances included both Anna Zielinski, 15, and Ethan Amis, 17, both earning sixth place in the Pentathlon series for their age groups. Nearly every swimmer achieved personal best times and many of the award recipients from divisionals received additional accolades at the championships.
All the while, several team members earned top honors for maintaining high academic standards, a hallmark of the Mako Sharks athletes.
The swimmers are on a short reprieve as they gear back up for training season (spring through August) to refine stroke and turn techniques as well as set and strive for new personal goals.
Keep an eye out for the Mako Sharks to make a big splash in 2016-17.
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