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Centre Otter 14-year-old swimmer Carly Duryea dives into the water against Fort Payne last Thursday. Duryea claimed three gold medals and two silver medals. She was part of 15 of the 18 Otter swimmers to bring home at least one blue ribbon against the Aquacats.
McKinley Rouse (age 8) had four wins and a second place, while Carly Duryea (age 14) picked up three golds and two silvers. Ainsley Davis (age 9) also tallied three wins plus a second and fourth place finish.
Fifteen of the 18 Otter swimmers brought home at least one blue ribbon for their efforts.
The Otters accomplished their feats despite a small roster (21) compared to Fort Payne’s 50 total swimmers.
“Fort Payne has over twice as many swimmers as our team, and they also are fortunate to have a good mix of younger swimmers as well as seasoned veterans,” Otter head coach Kurt Duryea said. “Our short term goal, in the next two years, is to build a team to that size.”
Duryea also commented on how proud he was of his young swimmers.
“Nathan, Leighton, McKinley, Carly and Ainsley had great performances,” Duryea said. “Some of them are closing in on state qualifying times. Plus, we’ve got several others that have a shot to make the state meet in Cullman. It’s exciting to see them work hard and make improvements on a daily basis.”
Leighton Rainer won the 50 breast, 50 back and the 100 individual medley. Whitt took the 25 free, 25 breast and 25 back. Carly Duryea earned first in the 50 back and 50 breast.
Rouse joined as a double winner in the 25 and 50 free for 8-and-under girls. Bailey Graves was tops in the 11 & 12 boys 50 free race. Davis captured the 50 free in the 9-10 girls group. Reese Winstead was first to the finish in the 25 fly for 8-and-under boys. Jordyn Walker earned a blue ribbon for her first place finish in the 8-and-under 25 back.
Rouse, Winstead and Witt joined with Virginia Rainer in the top 8-and-under 100-medley relay. Davis, Leighton Rainer, Alexis Smith and Erin McCord took the medley relay in the 10-and-under girls.
Walker, Grant Goss, Rouse and Witt struck gold in the 8-and-under 100-free relay.
Savannah Moore joined Rainer, McCord and Camryn Peace to finish first in the 200 free relay. The squad of Carly Duryea, Alexis Smith, Davis and Madeline Winstead took first in the 200 free relay for 14-and-under.
Other solid performances came from Reid Davis, who delivered four silvers and a bronze. Dru Rainer posted impressive times while finishing second in three events as well as coming away with a third and fourth place outing in the 100 individual medley and the 50 breast respectively. Kendal Duryea rounded out the team effort with two silvers and a bronze.
Next up for the Otters is the ARPA district meet the week of July 18 in Jacksonville. Teams competing with the Otters are Jacksonville, Anniston and Oneonta.
“Our kids will work hard, and we hope to have a quality showing at district,” Duryea said.
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