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Marlins swimmers make team history, score big at Firebaugh Invitational meet

-- Submitted by Marlins correspondent

(Updated: Thursday, July 29, 2010, 12:00 AM)

The Marlins Swim Team had its best placing in its two-decade history at the three-day 39th Annual Firebaugh Invitational Swim Meet, July 9-11.

Nearly 600 swimmers from 10 competitive teams from throughout the Central Valley attended the meet.

The Marlins' squad of 58 swimmers came home with its first ever third place trophy, surpassed only by larger teams from Los Banos and Hilmar, which placed first and second respectively.

"I am so proud of how all of our swimmers did at this meet," said head coach Tammy Kudela. "We had so many lifetime best swims and such unity and strength on our relays."

Out of the 24 relay races the Marlins competed in, 22 teams earned points and 10 scored in the top three medal positions. Five of the teams placed first, earning gold medals.

From the meet, Kudela recognized the efforts of Molly Casey and Russell Zelazo with the Swimmers of the Week award.

Both of these swimmers are new to the Marlins this year. Zelazo, 10, has learned all four of the competitive stokes this season.

"At this meet, he transformed into a competitive swimmer," Kudela said.

"He shaved almost five seconds off of his 50-yard breaststroke, while his greatest improvement came in his 50-yard free event, cutting 10.5 seconds off of his best time.

"Although his improvements are notable, he really was selected as the Swimmer of the Week because of his great positive attitude and enthusiastic team spirit."

As a member of his medley relay, his team was able to capture fourth place, and as part of the free relay, he helped bring home a second place medal.

Zelazo is the son of Shaina and D.J. Zelazo, and brother to Trinity and Caleb, who are also first-year Marlins.

"Casey had an amazing performance at this huge meet," Kudela said.

She placed in the top weight, earning points in every one of the seven events that she swam in. In addition, she improved her personal best times in six out of seven of her events.

"Molly, like Russell, is also recognized for her positive attitude and team spirit," Kudela said. "She helped her teammates, Triana Garrett, Katie Wall and Nicole Tapia, earn gold medals in both their medley and freestyle relay races.

She is the daughter of Kathy and Matthew Casey.