Niehoff, Theilemann are winners

Abby Niehoff and Tara Theilemann both won individual titles as the Carson Tigersharks continued their outstanding effort on Friday at the Pacific Age Group Swimming Junior Olympics in Concord, Calif.

Niehoff dropped 20 seconds off her time in winning the 13-14 girls 800-meter freestyle in a most impressive nine minutes, 28.49 seconds. Theilemann won the 200 free. She qualified first for the finals in a personal best 2:09.50 and then improved on that to win in 2:07.84 in the finals.

Also in the 200 free, Niehoff qualified fifth in a best time of 2:15.71 and then improved her time in the finals, moving up to third in 2:13.51. In the 15 and over boys, John Wandel qualified eighth in a best time of 2:08.47 and improved on that in the finals to finish seventh in 2:06.72.

In 13-14 boys, Kevin Dyer took 15th in 2:12.999. Also competing in the 200 free in 15 and over girls were Rebekah Niehoff, Hilary Schlager and Barbara Perkins.

In the 100 butterfly in 17-18 boys, Kiel Costella qualified sixth in a best time of 1:04.95 and improved on that to take fifth in the finals in 1:04.73. Tigershark assistant coach Jackie Boudreau noted that all of the Tigershark swimmers improved on their times in the finals. "That's just great swimming," she said.

In the 13-14 boys 200 breaststroke, Matt Grunert took 11th in 2:50.25. Also in the 200 breaststroke, Schlager finished in 3:11.08.

Also in the 800 free, Tatum Boehnke took 20th in 13-14 girls with a 10-second drop, finishing in 10:29.91. In 15 and over girls, Niehoff took sixth in 10:00.89, Lauren Metcalf was eighth in 10:05.44 and Perkins placed 13th in 10:21.45.

"They started on a high note yesterday and Jim and I think they continued that with the events today," said Boudreau, referring to Tigershark head coach JIm Puleo.

The meet, which concludes on Sunday, features swimmers from across the Western United States.