Multiple Records Shattered at Kelso Swimming Invitational

KELSO, WA – When swimmers from several regional high schools descended upon Kelso on Friday night they were determined to make a statement – and they did as eight meet records were shattered.

In addition to breaking many of those event records, the Camas boys won the meet by a landslide, racking up 668 points overall. Mark Morris placed second at 470, with Skyview third at 380 and Hockinson placing fourth with 377 points. Kelso rounded out the top five.

The Papermakers made a splash early on in the 200 Medley Relay with Kasey Calwell, Tom Utas, Lucas Ulmer and John Utas coming in at 1:41.19, breaking their team’s old Kelso Invitational record of 1:45.80 that was made just 12 months ago.

Moments later, Calwell would do it again in the 200 Free by finishing the race at 1:48.73, shattering Eric Bugna’s 2012 record of 1:52.40.

And these boys were just getting warmed up.

Prairie’s Jaron Hamlik, who practices daily with the Camas team, not only broke a meet record in the 50 Free, but also set a pool record and made a State cut as he came in at 22.10, breaking Chris Xue’s 22.24 record set in December 2012.

“It was the best start I’ve ever had,” said Hamlik. “I feel good.”

His coach, Mike Bemis, was equally impressed.

“And this isn’t his best event, either,” Bemis said. “This is like his third best event, and he hasn’t swam the 50 Free in some time. We’re really proud of him.”

Papermaker Lucas Ulmer placed second in the 50 Free coming in at 23.25.

Hamlik decided he wasn’t done. So after the 25-minute diving session, he nailed the 100 Fly coming in at 53.24, also breaking a meet record.

Splash!

One of the Papermaker’s young guns, Jeff Fadlovich, keeps turning heads this season with his times. He won the 500 Free, coming in at 5:15.82 and also broke a meet record.

Incredible.

Columbia River’s Benjamin Grubb won the 100 Back event, coming in at 55.62, breaking the meet record set by Ulmer (56.16) in January 2012. Ulmer placed second in the event (56.05) on Friday night.

Calwell also won the 100 Breast with a time of 1:02.32, breaking another meet record, previously made by Camas graduate, Jake Yraceburu (1:05.06).

And to top off the night, the Camas 400 Free Relay A team brought strength and resolve, by setting a new meet record in that event with a time of 3:23.10. The A Relay consists of John Utas, Jeff Fadlovich, Ulmer and Calwell.

“It’s been another great meet,” said Bemis. “The B teams did very well, and our younger swimmers delivered tonight, too.”

There will be more on the younger swimmers in a follow-up article.

The journey continues.