Swordfish Shine at Regional Swim Meet

Story and photo by Capt. Brice Goodwin

Sigonella Swordfish coaches and swimmers prepared for the long Veterans Day weekend by packing up their swim bags and headed for Naples, where they joined six other teams within the European Forces Swim League for a two-day swim competition.

Saturday morning broke bright and early as swimmers made their way to the pool for a 0730 warm up time before competing in the day’s pentathlon event. In order to be eligible for a medal, swimmers were required to successfully complete all five events (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, and individual medley) in the fastest cumulative time.

From the start of the first whistle to the final cheer of the day, Swordfish of all ages displayed how the ingredients of comradery, commitment, and speed create a winning combination. A resounding cheer greeted each Swordfish swimmer as they stepped onto the podium to claim a total of 20 first-place, five second-place, and 18 third-place medals.

Team captains David Goodwin and Alyah Perkins showcased their water skills in representing the boys and girls 15/16-year-old age group. Goodwin swept all five first-place wins, and Perkins clinched three to earn gold medals as the overall pentathlete winners for their age group.

Giada D’Ignoti did the same in the girls 13/14 year-old age group, accumulating all five first-place finishes to proudly claim overall gold for her efforts. Jake Jennings showcased his ability to hit the wall first in four of his five events, also earning him the center spot on the podium as top winner in the boys 9/10-year-old age group.

Swordfish swimmers were equally well-represented in their collection of silver medals. Fellow team captain Joaquin Torres, along with Zeke Collins and Connor Kilday each proudly accepted silver medals for their performances between the lane lines in the boys 13/14-year old, 11/12-year old, and 8-andunder age groups, respectively.

Rounding out the top three finishes, Owen Davies (boys 17-19-year-olds), Emma Jarosz (girls 9/10-year-olds), Bodie Bruner (boys 9/10-year olds), and Jill Jennings (girls 8-and-under) showed the depth and breadth of the Swordfish’s competitive line up with their Bronze medal wins.

The second day continued the series of successes with another 31 first-place wins, 28 second-place wins, and 17 third-place wins. The Swordfish also dominated the 200-meter mixed relay events, combining teamwork and speed to take four first-place finishes. Reese Ratliff, Emma Jarosz, Jake Jennings, and Bodie Bruner touched the wall first in their 10-and-under age group, and Giada D’Ignoti, Beren Hurum, Allison Havard, Joaquin Torres, and Wesley Davies demonstrated their strength and power within the 13/14-year old age group. The domination continued in the backstroke and breaststroke events, with Swordfish winning another five first-place finishes.

As swimmers, coaches, and parents made their way back to their hotels at the end of the weekend, it was evident from their smiles that the weekend was a resounding success and a building block in preparing for the long distance championship in Belgium.