The Marlins Swim Team placed fifth overall at the 41st annual Firebaugh Invitational swim meet held June 29 through July 1.

Numerous team members swam personal best times, but special recognition was given by coach Tammy Kudela for improvement demonstrated by 6-year-old Lucas Wade who is new to the team this year along with his siblings Jessica and Taylor.

"Lucas tries very hard in practice and has already moved up from the basic group to the novice group," Kudela said. "At this meet, his work ethic paid off. He cut over nine seconds off of his 25-yard freestyle, allowing him to place 13th overall with a time of 47.19 out of a field of more than 40 competitors."

Kudela said Wade also placed 13th in his 25 yard fly event, cutting his best time by over 11 seconds and finishing the race in 1:03.09. Additionally, Lucas reduced his 25-yard backstroke by 4.5 seconds which allowed him to finish in 11th place.

The Marlins Swim Team also recognizes the girls' 9-10 medley relay team as its Swimmers of the Week for their tremendous effort over their Dos Palos Dolphin rivals.

Coury Jones, 9, lead off the team with her personal best time in backstroke. She was followed by Trinity Zelazo, 10, who gained some ground doing breaststroke on the leading Dolphins team. Parker Jones, 10, brought the Marlins just about even with Dos Palos after finishing her butterfly leg of the relay. Leaving the block and going head to head in freestyle against her 10-year old Dolphin competitor was the Marlins anchor Claire Lewis, 9.

Coach Kudela said Lewis had an incredible swim, fighting with everything she had, to just surpass the Dolphins right at wall. The Marlins relay team finished in 2:58.06 capturing a silver medal and the Dolphins finished in 2:58.89, taking the bronze.