State swim meet is underway

Tatum Boehnke and Kevin Dyer both finished ninth in the 1,650-yard freestyle for the Carson Tigersharks in the Nevada State Short Course Swimming Championships on Friday at the Carson Aquatic Facility.

Their efforts were the top finishes for the Tigersharks on the opening night of the meet, which was a relatively light day for competition. The meet continues in earnest today and runs through Monday.

In 15-18 girls, Boehnke finished in 18 minutes, 48.08 seconds while Dyer finished in 17:57.95 in 15-18 boys.

Also for the Tigersharks, Garrett Clayton dropped nine seconds in the 15-18 boys 400 individual medley in finishing 11th in 4:33.72. Ryan Hogan also had a one-second drop in the event in 15-18 boys.

Another highlight for the Tigersharks came when Abby Pittman dropped 12 seconds in her 11-12 girls 500 freestyle, finishing in 6:12.92.

"I hope tonight's results will inspire the team to do well," Tigershark coach Gaby Phalan said. "Tonight was exciting - fast times in the 400 I.M. and 500 freestyle."

When commenting on her expecations for the rest of the meet, Phalan said she wanted "everybody to race and give their best efforts leading to the best times and placing."

One of the Tigersharks' top swimmers, Matt Grunert, who didn't swim on Friday, said he's expecting the team to have an ouststanding meet. He also said he expected Clayton, another one of the Tigersharks' top swimmers, to have a strong meet as well.

"I think we're going to have a great weekend," Grunert said. "Everybody's been working really hard and we're more ready than ever.

"Garrett's been doing awesome in the water. His breaststroke is on the money and I'm sure he'll be seeing some incredible times this meet."

Through eight events, the Boulder City-Henderson club leads the combined score with 685 points and is well ahead of the Clark County Sandpipers, who are in second with 290 points. The Tigersharks are eighth with 27.50 points.

In the individual standings, Mark Kate Short of Lakeridge leads the 15-18 girls with 21 points while Gianni Sesto of the Sanpipers leads the 15-18 boys with 28 points.