Wave Ryders competitive against larger swim clubs

The Whitefish Wave Ryders Swim Club fared well against larger and more established swim teams in the MAC Fall Invitational on Nov. 12 and 13 at the Grizzly Pool in Missoula.

The Wave Ryders, which is comprised of 27 swimmers, competed against 344 swimmers from around the state.

"As small as our team is, we are a major powerhouse in the state." Wave Ryders head coach Ryan Mainard said. "We've only been swimming since February. These (other) teams have been established for many years."

As a small club, Mainard said that his team has trouble filling spots on the relay teams, which puts the Wave Ryders at a disadvantage points-wise, but strong performances from his swimmers in the individual categories help to boost his team into the upper brackets.

Some of the individual highlights from the race include:

? Becca Washer, who swims in the 17-18 age group, took a second-place finish overall at the meet. She placed first in the 100 yard butterfly, second in the 200 yard individual medley, second in the 100 and 200 yard freestyle, and second in the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke,

? In the girls 8-and-under, Tessa Krueger finished third out of a field of 36. She took first place in the 50 yard butterfly and the 100 yard freestyle, second in the 100 yard breaststroke, and third in the 50 yard breaststroke and the 100 yard backstroke.

According to Mainard, Tessa Krueger already has one state qualify time.

? In the girls 9-10 age group, Cassie Krueger took fifth place overall in a field of 41 swimmers. She finished first in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle, second in the 100 yard breaststroke, and third in the 50 and 100 yard butterfly, and in the 200 yard breaststroke

? In the boys 9-10 category, Joshua Loyda finished fifth out of a field of 30. He took first place in the 500 yard freestyle, second in the 200 yard freestyle, fourth in the 50 yard backstroke, fourth in the 200 yard individual medley and fifth in the 100 yard backstroke.

? In the 11-12 boys division, Patrick Phattharaampornchai finished seventh overall. He placed first in the 50 yard breaststroke, second in the 100 yard backstroke and the 200 yard breaststroke and fourth in the 200 yard butterfly.

"Our swimmers did very well as a whole," Mainard said.

Mainard said he was encouraged by some of the newest members of the team.

Chris Clark and Sage Jackson have been swimming competitively for nine months, while Bohdi and Claire Venery have only been competing for three months.

"They are doing very well for just now getting into the pool," Mainard said.

For many of the Wave Ryders, swimming is a family affair. Two families have three members swimming on the Wave Ryders, while other families have two children swimming on the team.

As soon as one child in the family gets involved, it seems the rest of the children become involved, Mainard said.

The Wave Ryders are practicing several times a week with the hopes of getting qualifying times for the state meet in March. Their next meet is against the Kats in Kalispell on Jan. 28 and 29.