Niehoff and Dyer are all-stars

Abby Niehoff and Kevin Dyer of the Carson Tigersharks have been chosen to represent the Pacific Swimming all-star team at the Western Zone meet.

Niehoff will compete in 13-14 girls and Dyer will swim in 15-16 boys for the Pacific team at the Western Zone meet to be held Aug. 13-19 in Kearnes, Utah. The top swimmers from much of Nevada and Northern California were chosen to represent the Pacific team at the meet.

Top swimmers from all over the Western United States, including California, Oregon Washington, Arizona, Alaska and Hawai'i will compete in the meet. It's the first all-star selection for Niehoff while Dyer is a two-time all-star.

He was chosen last year as a 14-year-old. Tigershark coach Jim Puleo said it was impressive that Dyer was picked this year at the bottom end of his age bracket.

Niehoff and Dyer were both chosen based on their performances last week at the Pacific Junior Olympic meet. Niehoff won four events - the 200-meter butterfly and the 100, 800 and 1,500 freestyles - while Dyer won three events - the 400, 800 and 1,500 freestyles. Niehoff and Dyer also both took second in the 200 free.

Puleo said among the events that Dyer could swim at the Western meet are the 400 and 1,500 freestyles while Niehoff could swim the 400 and 800 freestyles and the 400 individual medley. "I think it's kind of cool," Puleo said. "We're really proud of both of them."

Since Niehoff and Dyer are distance swimmers who are used to swimming at altitude, that should give them an advantage in the meet that's being held at altitude in Utah. "I know they're going to be a tremendous value to that swim team," Puleo said.