Ashmore shines for Tigersharks

Samantha Ashmore followed up her strong performance in the 800-meter freestyle the day before and placed in two more events to provide one of many highlights for the Carson Tigersharks during the Reno Gamble Invitational long course age group swimming meet on Saturday.

Ashmore placed fifth in the 15-18 girls age group 800 freestyle on Friday, but her time of 10 minutes, 31.33 seconds marked an improvement of 20 seconds over her previous personal record during competition at Idlewild Pool in Reno. There was more improvement on Saturday when she placed eighth in the 400 freestyle in 5:11.58, a personal best by three seconds, plus she took 11th in the 100 freestyle with a 1:10.37 clocking.

Another improved Tigershark on Saturday was Kevin Dyer, who won the 13-14 boys 400 freestyle in a personal best 4:29.32 and placed second in the 400 individual medley with a personal best 5:29.04. Dyer also took third in the 100 freestyle (1:01.81) and second in the 200 backstroke (2:36.46).

Meanwhile, the Tigersharks' Abby Niehoff has five first-place finishes to her credit in the meet so far. Niehoff emerged as a winner in the 13-14 girls 100 freestyle (1:03.81), 400 freestyle (4:42.51), 800 freestyle (9:36.03), 200 backstroke (2:42.06) and 200 butterfly (2:30.10).

Nick Schlager swam to first-place in the 11-12 boys 400 freestyle (5:35.45). In the 11-12 boys 200 freestyle, Cody Gillenwater placed second (1:12.81) and Schlager third (1:13.07).

Barbara Perkins also placed second in the 15-18 girls 400 freestyle on Friday with a 4:59.73 effort. Kiel Costella placed second in the 19-and-over men's 100 backstroke (1:09.78) and third in the 200 freestyle (2:09.22).