HASA swims at U of M meet

The Hudson Area Swim Association (HASA) sent eight swimmers to the University Of Minnesota Jan. 14-15 to participate in a swim meet for swimmers with “A” times or higher.

Eight-year-old Jasmine White finished 45th in the 50 yard freestyle, despite a knee injury, while 8-year-old Grace Johnson cut time in the 50 freestyle, 50 breaststroke, 100 freestyle, 100 individual medley and 50 backstroke to qualify for the Minnesota State Swimming Championships in March in each of those events.

Rachel Baker, 10, cut her best times in the 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle and has qualified to swim four events at the Minnesota State meet. Emilia Reynolds, 11, shaved .15 of a second of her best time in the 50 freestyle.

Cale Blinkman, 11, competed in 10 events, including the 50 backstroke, where he placed fourth overall, and the 50 breaststroke, where he finished eighth. Shane Blinkman, 11, swam in eight events, and placed in the top six in all eight, cutting time in six events.

Zach Aherns, 12, and Matt Baker, 12, both swam in eight events and each cut time in several events. Aherns has qualified for the Minnesota State Swimming Championships in the 50 and 100 freestyle, 100 individual medley, 50 breaststroke and 50 and 100 butterfly, while Baker has qualified in the 50 and 100 freestyle, 100 individual medley, 50 backstroke and 50 and 100 butterfly.

The HASA boys’ 11/12-year-old relay team of Aherns, Baker, Cale Blinkman and Shane Blinkman swam the 200 freestyle relay in 1 minute, 48.9 seconds to place fourth overall, and the 200 medley relay in 2:0.83 to place second overall.

Registration for the upcoming HASA Spring season is March 6. For more information, contact Laura Blinkman at theblinkmans@sbcglobal.net or go to www.hudsonswimteam.org

Tags: sports, swimming, prep