Tigersharks capture team title

The Carson Tigersharks should have plenty of momentum for the rest of the summer after their performance in the Intermountain Classic.

Three Tigersharks came away with the overall team championship and individual titles, as Lauren Costella won in 15-18 girls, Justin Barber in 15-18 boys and Kevin Dyer in 11-12 boys.

The host Tigersharks also had many other impressive efforts on Monday, the last day of the first meet of the summer long course season at the Carson Aquatic Facility.

"It was just another solid afternoon," said Tigersharks assistant coach Jackie Boudreau about her younger swimmers on Monday. "They finished on a pretty strong note.

"We're pleased. We'll use this as a benchmark and hopefully keep improving from this throughout the summer."

Carson compiled 821 points to win the team championship. Reno Aquatics finished second with 760 points and Hudson Aquatics from Folsom, Calif., was third with 596 points.

Without a high number of swimmers in the four-day meet, it was another busy day for Costella, who swam the 200-meter individual medley and the 800 freestyle in a span of 10 minutes.

Costella won both events, finishing the 800 free in 9 minutes, 23.26 seconds and the 200 I.M. in 2:30.48. Costella finished with 95 points, easily outpointing second place Jenni Stratton of Oregon's David Douglas, who had 57 points.

"What made this a really good workout for these guys was they didn't get a whole lot of rest between events," Tigersharks coach Jim Puleo said. "We would like to see the meet get a little bit bigger."

Also for the Tigersharks, Tara Theilemann placed second in the 800 free in 9:57.60. In the 13-14 800 free, Rebekah Niehoff placed second (10:19.78), Barbara Perkins was fourth (10:43.80), Hilary Schlager placed seventh (11:21.36) and Sarah Metcalf took eighth (11:28.22). Lauren Metcalf also had a strong effort in the 15-18 800 free.

Barber won the 800 free in 9:06.26 while Ryan Costella placed third, Kiel Costella took fourth, Adrian Zeh placed fifth, Jeff Stroup took sixth and Todd Stroup seventh. Kevin Dyer won his 800 free in a personal best 10:47.76.

Barber also won the 200 I.M. (2:22.01) while Ryan Costella took third, Kiel Costella placed fifth and Jeff Stroup took sixth.

Sean McKenna took fourth in the 13-14 200 I.M. (2:54.38) for the Tigersharks.

Barber added another title in the 100 butterfly (1:03.83) while Ryan Costella placed third (1:06.29) and Jake Oxoby took fifth (1:08.92) for the Tigersharks. Lauren Costella also won her 100 fly (1:08.16) and the 200 free (2:13.02). Theilemann also placed second in the 200 free (2:15.19).

In the 200 free, Barber settled for second (2:03.55) while Ryan Costella placed fourth (2:10.12) and Kiel Costella took fifth. (2:16.23).

Dyer also won the 100 backstroke (1:19.59) while Jake Priest took third (1:23.26). Jessica Fahrenbruch won the 8-and-under 100 free (1:37.27) and Priest won his 50 butterfly (34.61) for the Tigersharks as well. Dyer took third in the 50 butterfly (36.70).

In the 200 I.M., Douglas High graduate Charlene Rigdon, who swims for the University of Nevada, took third (2:40.54).

Other top results for the Tigersharks included: 200 I.M. -- Niehoff, fifth, 2:49.15. 200 free -- McKenna, fourth, 2:24.32. 200 free -- Niehoff, fourth, 2:20.52; Schlager, fifth, 2:29.02. 100 breaststroke -- Priest, third, 1:36.68; Paul Chang, sixth, 1:49.89.