The Haines Dolphins were most improved squad at the Southeast Champs meet in Ketchikan last month.
Coach Lauren Rutland said the six Dolphin swimmers competed in 25 events and tallied 20 personal-best times at the Dec. 4-6 meet.
“We had many swimmers medal and even more earn ribbons for their amazing swims,” Rutland said. “As a team we earned an award, as well: ‘Team with the Highest Best-Time Percentage,’ which is a pretty awesome achievement.”
Dalton Henry, Hayden Jimenez, Brennan Palmieri, Pacific Ricke, Leo Wald and Bohdin Waschae made the trek to Ketchikan to represent the Dolphins, with the help of donated airline miles that greatly trimmed travel time.
Rutland said the Dolphins have traveled to Ketchikan in previous years, but “this was the first time they’ve done it flying, so I think the parents appreciated that.”
Southeast Champs features the top young swimmers in the region, who must post qualifying times to enter. The 2014 meet was in Juneau.
The Dolphins next will host their annual Winter Games North meet, Jan. 29-30 in Haines. The team again will be seeking timers and other volunteers, and will offer a spaghetti feed fundraiser for participants and the community.