PENDLETON — After missing 2020 because of the pandemic, Pendleton Swim Club’s annual Stars and Stripes Invitational returned to Alvin D. Brown Memorial Pool June 25-26.
More than 300 swimmers, representing 12 clubs from Indiana and Ohio, competed in individual and relay races in the 50-meter pool.
“We were very excited to be able to continue the tradition we have built hosting the 2021 Stars and Stripes meet with Power Aquatics,” PSC head coach Mindy Hertzler said. “The energy and excitement was much needed by all.”
The local swim club did extremely well, picking up a number of firsts, seconds and thirds.
Story continues below photos.
Nathan Hollendonner (200-meter IM, 50 freestyle, 50 butterfly, 100 freestyle), Lilly Jacobs (100 breaststroke, 50 freestyle, 50 breaststroke) and Grace McKinney (400 freestyle, 200 IM) all picked up first place finishes.
Three PSC relay teams also took top honors in the 400 medley (Connor Hessler, Jack Hutson, Hollendonner, Braden Jenkins), 200 medley (Mallory Gentry, McKinney, Ellie Ray, Clara McIntyre) and 200 freestyle (Jaima Link, Gentry, McIntyre, McKinney).
Runner-up finishes went to: Gentry (50 freestyle), Hollendonner (50 breaststroke), Hutson (100 breaststroke) and McKinney (200 freestyle).
Five more PSC relay groups added second-place swims. They were teams in the 200 freestyle (Arabella Kelley, Lauren Lamper, Chloe King, Emma Cofer), 400 medley (Emily Moore, Jacobs, Baleigh Norman, Addyson Gaw), 200 freestyle (Moore, Jacobs, Julia Walls, Baleigh Norman), 200 medley (Ella Rector, Stella Payne, Ava Nickelson, Allison Gentry) and 200 freestyle (Payne, Alia Walters, A. Gentry, Nickelson).
Bringing home third-place awards were, Aidan Ballart (100 freestyle), Hessler (50 breaststroke, and Ellie Ray (200 breaststroke) along with the 400 medley relay (Julia Walls, Ella Simpson, Addison Fisher, Maylee Buckner) and 200 medley (Nolan Donovan, Evan McKinney, Jacob Simpson, Ian Christian).
The event also included Pendleton Heights High School alum Maggie Miller, who is now swimming at the NCAA Division I level at Southern Illinois University.
“It was a great opportunity to be outside enjoying friendships, (seeing) parents able to watch their kids compete again, great competitions and sunshine,” Hertzler added. “We were very grateful that the weather held out and we were able to host a very successful meet.”
Pendleton Swim Club is for competitive youth swimmers ages 5 to 18.
The next portion of the club’s swim season begins after Labor Day.
PSC also offers swim lessons and lifeguard certification.
For more details, visit www.pendletonswimclub.org or @pendletonswim on Twitter.