Though Race Swami has been training as an organized swim club for the past two months—we began this maiden voyage at the Steiner West pool back in late January—this budding upstart has already seen some amazing strides and feats.
An example: Had our swimmers not raced under the banner of "Unattached" (USA Swimming requires that a swimmer who competed for a past club, who then moves on to a new club, first compete as "unattached" for no less than 120 days before claiming said new club) at the recently completed Utah State JO Championships, Race Swami would have placed 13th out of 26 clubs statewide. Not bad for a new club that had a mere six swimmers compete in the championship meet--five of whom earned points for the team.
At the JO meet, held in BYU's Richards Building, 10-UN sensation Fanetupou Wolfgramm earned High-Point honors by accumulating the most points of any swimmer in that age group. Besides winning five races, she also broke a state record—held by her older sister Amelia—in the 50 backstroke. Pretty awesome!
Speaking of Amelia Wolfgramm, she had a huge winter of races! Besides leading the Judge Memorial Catholic girls' team to an astounding 8th state championship title in nine years, she broke a state record in the 100 backstroke in a blazing 56.11, qualifying her for Junior Nationals, which will be at Stanford in August. So this Race Swami now owns state records in 10-UN, 11-12, 13-14 and now 15-16 and Senior classifications.
Last month, head coach Matt Finnigan and two Race Swamis—Amelia and younger sister Autumn Wolfgramm—traveled to Federal Way, WA for the Western Sectionals swim meet. This meet included many of the fastest kids in the western states. A few swimmers from Utah earned the right to attend by meeting certain time qualifications.
Amelia and Autumn had some great races, with Amelia just missing a Junior National cut in the 200 backstroke (though she did earn a "bonus time" qualification). Autumn had some fine races in the 100 back, 200 free and 200 back to name a few. However, her best races of the season were saved for the following week at the JO meet at BYU where she unleashed an amazing 100 free, 200 free and 100 back, earning her the right to swim at this summer's Grand Prix meet at the Santa Clara International Swim Center in June. She'll be joining Amelia as they represent Race Swami's official stamp in USA Swimming.
As for Race Swami, judging by all the comments we received at the JO meet, many folks were curious as to who this "mysterious" new club was. Who was that team in green and metallic gold with the fleur di lis logo winning nine races total to make it somewhat of a "coining out" party for the team from Rose Park?
In reality, there is nothing all that mysterious about Race Swami. Our mission is to serve the Rose Park community, as well as surrounding "west side" neighborhoods (Glendale, Fairpark, etc.) since we train at both Northwest (Rose Park) and Steiner West (Glendale). We seek to provide a healthy and stimulating environment in which our young athletes can grow and compete. Race Swami also brings together families from diverse ethnic backgrounds, one of the coolest aspects of becoming a "Swami." Through travel to various competitions the sport exposes our kids to other parts of the country and different lifestyles. So too, Race Swami emphasizes excellence in academics as well as athletics and supports swimmers and parents in the achievement of high academic standards.
We also hope to make some tasty, healthy smoothies on occasion when we host an Open House so that folks in the area know we're all about emphasizing a healthy lifestyle!
Lots more to come!
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