Willett wins three titles at state swim meet

Andrew Willett has won three titles so far to lead a strong effort by the Carson Tigersharks at the Nevada State Short Course Swimming Championships.

Among others who have had outstanding meets so far for the Tigersharks are Garrett Clayton, Abby Niehoff and Tara Theilemann. The meet began on Friday and will conclude today at the Carson Aquatic Center. Preliminaries for the final day begin at 8:30 a.m.

In the 13-14 boys division on Sunday, Willett won his third title, placing first in the 100-yard freestyle in 53.86 seconds. John Wandell placed fifth (54.99), Matthew Willett took seventh (57.00), Todd Stroup placed ninth (59.29) and Sean McKenna took 11th (59.78).

Earlier in the meet, Willett also won the 1,650 free (17:52.24) and the 200 free (1:55.94). Willett also placed second in the 400 I.M. (4:43.80).

In 15 and over girls, Theilemann took second in the 200 free (1:55.48), fourth in the 200 backstroke (2:13.35), second in the 100 back (59.37) and fifth in the 100 free (54.38).

In 11-12 boys, Clayton took second in the 50 breaststroke (33.06) and fourth in the 100 I.M. (1:08.89) and 100 breaststroke (1:14.34).

Other top five finishes for Carson during the first two days included: Niehoff, 11-12 girls 200 free, fifth, 2:09.70; Kevin Dyer, 11-12 boys 200 free, fifth, 2:12.32; Niehoff, 100 back, fourth, 1:08.97; John Wandel, 13-14 boys 100 butterfly, fourth, 1:04.44; Nick Schlager, 9-10 boys 100 free, fifth, 1:10.91 and fourth in the 50 breaststroke (43.63)

Also on Sunday, Kevin Dyer placed third (1:00.70), Clayton took fourth (1:02.26) and Scott Wandel placed fifth (1:02.97) in the 11-12 boys 100 free.

Other finishes on Sunday for the Tigersharks included Scott Wandell taking 11th in the 11-12 boys 100 I.M. (1:13.98); Todd Stroup, seventh (1:05.07), Sean McKenna, ninth (1:04.25) and John Wandel, 10th (1:05.22) in the 13-14 boys 100 back; Jeff Stroup, 13th in the 15 and over boys 200 breaststroke (2:32.90); Samantha Ashmore, 12th, in the 11-12 girls 50 backstroke (33.93); Niehoff, seventh in 100 I.M. (1:09.86) and sixth in the 100 free (1:01.06); Todd Stroup, 10th (2:22.82) and Sean McKenna, 13th (2:30.29) in the 200 I.M.; Matt Grunert, 12th (1:27.94) and Paul Chang, 14th (1:33.36) in the 11-12 boys 100 breaststroke.

Carson has also been strong in the relays. On Sunday, Rebekah Niehoff, Sarah Metcalf, Barbara Perkins and Jessica Goddard took seventh in the 13-14 girls 400 free relay (4:04.39; Willett, John Wandel, Todd Stroup and McKenna placed second in their 400 free relay (3:47.00); and Dyer, Sam Ballard, Scott Wandel and Clayton placed fourth in their 200 free relay (2:00.77).

Earlier in the meet, Morgan McEwan, Adriana Avitia, Erin Chang and Alexandra Schlager placed fifth in the 8 and under girls 100 medley relay (1:31.03) and Chang, Schlager, Jessica Fahrenbruch and Avitia took second in the 100 free relay (1;14.24). Dyer, Scott Wandel, Clayton and Grunert took fourth in their 200 medley relay (2:15.25) and McKenna, Matthew Willett, Andrew Willett and John Wandel placed third in their 400 medley relay (4:24.11).