Blake Hamilton of the Haines Dolphins swim team placed third overall at the Great Alaska Open in Juneau last weekend.
Hamilton, 18, was first in the 200-yard backstroke, second in the 500-yard freestyle, and third in both the 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard fly.
“Blake got 100 percent best times,” said head coach Steve Vick.
The Great Alaska Open drew qualifiers from across the state and is the Dolphins’ fastest meet, Vick said.
Jackie St. Clair, 16, also competed for the Dolphins in Juneau. She placed fourth in the 200-yard backstroke, sixth in the 100-yard backstroke, seventh in the 100-yard freestyle and eighth in the 50-yard freestyle. St. Clair posted two career-best times, despite a long layoff.
Swimmers were limited to no more than four events.
Hamilton cut about nine seconds from his 500-yard freestyle time during the meet.
Hamilton reached his goal of breaking a minute in the 100-yard fly. He also trimmed nearly two seconds on the 200-yard backstroke, and just missed the two-minute mark.
The Great Alaska Open accepted the fastest youth swimmers in the state. A Feb. 25-27 meet in Fairbanks will welcome the top swimmers in each age group. Brittney Bradford, 11, and Casey Bradford, 13, are slated to participate for the Dolphins.
To help pay for travel expenses and equipment used throughout each season, the Dolphins will host their annual Swim-a-Thon on Saturday, March 5. Vick said the goal is to raise $17,500.