Being around many of the fastest young swimmers in the country was a rewarding experience for Kasey Calwell. It also produced his fastest swims in four events.
The Camas High School senior swam four events at the USA Swimming Speedo Winter Junior National Championships. The meet for swimmers 18 and younger took place Wednesday through Saturday at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.
The 18-year-old qualified based on times recorded during the summer in two breaststroke events. He also swam two individual medley races at junior nationals. Having the meet close to home made it possible to experience national-level competition for the first time, Calwell said.
“It was very, very exciting,” he said.
He did not advance beyond preliminary heats — the 24 fastest preliminary times for each event advanced to a final heat — but Calwell established new records in all four of his events for his club, Vancouver’s Columbia River Swim Team. He said he was still recovering from a recent illness and was pleased with his results.
In the 100-yard breaststroke, Calwell clocked a time of 57.09 seconds that was fast enough for All American consideration. His time was the 53rd fastest among 138 swimmers. By comparison, the 24th fastest time was 56.36.
He also earned All American consideration in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1 minute, 53.12 seconds. His time was 83rd best among 148 entrees and just more than 3 seconds slower than the 24th-place finals qualifier.
Calwell placed 69th in a field of 113 in the 200 breaststroke (2:05.81). In the 400 IM, he was 54th among 92 swimmers (4:01.76).
“This is the kind of competition that I’m going to be facing in college dual meets,” Calwell said.
Among the highlights of the meet was meeting swimmers who next year will be his teammates at the University of California Santa Barbara. Calwell said they were cheering him on during his races.
“That was one of the best feelings ever,” he said.
Before he heads to college, Calwell will spend his winter competing for the Camas High School swim team. In two months, he plans to be back in Federal Way representing the Papermakers at the high school state championships.
“I still feel like I can drop more time,” he said.
