HASA shines at Middleton event

• Kylie Kelcher, left, and Maree Elliott

Kylie Kelcher, left, 11, and Maree Elliott, 9, both achieved several personal best times during a three-day swim competition in Middleton last month. Submitted photo
• Shane Blinkman claimed his fourth Minnesota State Swimming record

Shane Blinkman, 10, claimed his fourth Minnesota State Swimming record, this time in the 200 yard individual medley, at a competition in Middleton last month. Submitted photo

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The Hudson Area Swim Association (HASA) sent eight swimmers to Middleton the weekend of Dec. 16-18 to compete in an “open” meet with a special format: championship-style with preliminaries and finals events.

Shane Blinkman, 10, competed in the 200 individual medley for 9-10-year-old boys, and broke a 34-year-old Minnesota state record by winning with a time of 2 minutes, 6.97 seconds, nearly seven seconds faster than the previous state mark. The new record was Blinkman’s fourth in as many weeks. He also took first in eight other events over the weekend, achieving six personal best times.

HASA belongs to Minnesota Swimming, Inc. because of Hudson’s close proximity to Minnesota and the closer access to many competitions. If HASA were to be a part of Wisconsin Swimming, the team would have to travel great distances in order to compete regularly.

Luc Meyer, 13, achieved eight personal best times out of nine races, including the 200 yard breaststroke, where he dropped 10.87 seconds. Zachary Aherns, 12, swam eight races and posted six personal best times, while Maria Blinkman, 12, swam ten races and posted three personal best times, resulting in a second place in the 50 backstroke with a time of 34.40 seconds, and a fourth place in the 100 freestyle with a time of 1:03.3. 

Kylie Kelcher, 11, swam six races over the weekend and posted five personal bests, dropping over six seconds in the 100 breaststroke and over five seconds in her 100 backstroke. Cale Blinkman, 10, swam 10 races and posted five personal best times, including first place finishes in the 200 freestyle, 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke, and 100 backstroke, and second place finishes in the 50 breaststroke and the 100 freestyle.   

Alex Weaver, 9, had personal best times in all eight of his races while Maree Elliott, 9, set personal bests in all seven of her races.

For more information, go to www.hudsonswimteam.org or visit HASA on Facebook. 

Tags: sports, swimming, prep