Thirty-seven Lamar Tiger Sharks headed to Monett on June 28 for a swim meet against the Monett Water Thrashers. Included in those 37 were 2 swimmers visiting from Kansas City. Patrick and James Simmons, 11 year old twin sons of Kathy-Hillman Simmons were visiting family in Lamar when they decided to help out the Tiger Sharks by competing in 6 events including 2 relays.
Swimmers and spectators gathered on the hill overlooking the pool as the meet started. Some were wrapped in towels, some relaxing on a blanket, all of them enjoying the beautiful summer evening as the sun slowly set over the trees.
Ribbons were given out to swimmers finishing in the top eight in each event. A total of 123 ribbons were given out to Tiger Sharks.
For the 6 and under age group Truman Kaderly, swimming in his very first meet, placed 6th in the 25 yard freestyle. Chase Kellenberger finished 7th in the 25 yard freestyle and 5th in the 25 yard backstroke. And Haydn Bartholomew placed 1st in the 25 yard freestyle and 2nd in the 25 yard backstroke.
Swimming strong for the girls was Molly Kellenberger. She picked up 25 points for the team with her 1st place finish in the 25 yard backstroke and 25 yard breaststroke as well as a 2nd place finish in the 25 yard freestyle. Jacey Stahl received 2 ribbons for her 3rd place finish in the 25 yard freestyle and 5th place finish in the 25 yard backstroke.
The 8 and under age group were the hungriest Sharks of the night. They went home with a total of 43 ribbons; 23 for the single events and 20 for the relays. Leading the way for the boys was Lincoln Kaderly. He placed first in both the 25 yard freestyle and 25 yard breaststroke. He then finished 2nd in the 25 yard backstroke, earning the team 25 points. Not only did Lincoln take home 5 ribbons (3 single events and 2 relays) he improved his freestyle time by nearly 7 seconds and his breaststroke by almost 2 seconds.
Griffin Leininger also had a great meet placing 2nd in 3 events; the 25 yard freestyle, breaststroke and butterfly. Kip Roland brought home three 3rd place ribbons for the 25 yard backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke.
For the girls Shelby Haskins was taking bites out of the competition. She placed 1st in both the 50 yard freestyle and 25 yard breaststroke. She also received a 2nd place ribbon for the 25 yard backstroke. Shelby was another Tiger Shark who improved on her times.
Jasmine Bello placed 2nd in the 100 yard individual medley, 3rd in the 25 yard breaststroke and 5th in the 25 yard freestyle. Jessica White placed 4th in both the 25 yard butterfly and 25 yard breaststroke. Grace Compton placed 3rd in the 100 yard individual medley and 7th in the 25 yard breaststroke. Hattie Gilkey took home 3 ribbons for her 8th place finish in both the 25 yard freestyle and 25 yard breaststroke. She also placed 7th in the 25 yard backstroke. Carmen Miller received a ribbon for her 8th place showing in the 25 yard backstroke.
For the 10 and under boys Jack Gilkey placed 2nd in the 50 yard backstroke. 5th place in the 50 yard butterfly and 7th in the 50 yard breaststroke. Jordon Steever placed 4th in the 50 yard backstroke and 8th in both the 50 yard freestyle and 50 yard breaststroke. Evan Moore rounded out the boys by placing 4th in the 50 yard butterfly and 5th in the 50 yard backstroke.
For the girls Madison Kellenberger led the way with a 1st place finish in the 100 yard individual medley, 1st place in the 50 yard breaststroke and 3rd in the 50 yard freestyle. Margaret Kellenberger placed 4th in the 100 yard individual medley and 8th in both the 50 yard freestyle and 50 yard breaststroke. Kenna Roland placed 1st in the 50 yard butterfly, 2nd in the 50 yard freestyle and 4th in the 50 yard breaststroke. Ashton Kirkpatrick placed 4th in the 50 yard backstroke and Jerica Stahl took home a 5th place ribbon for the 100 yard individual medley. Hannah Moyer finished 1st in the 50 yard backstroke, 5th in the 50 yard butterfly and 6th in the 50 yard breaststroke.
Jacob Haskins, swimming for the 11-12 year old boys placed 4th in the 50 yard butterfly and 7th in the 50 yard freestyle while Jantzen Davis placed 8th in the 100 yard freestyle.
For the girls Brittany Steever led the 11-12 year old Lady Sharks with 3 first place finishes; the 50 yard freestyle, 50 yard butterfly and the 100 yard butterfly. Rose Compton and Amber Carter also swam hard. Rose received ribbons for her 1st place finish in the 50 yard breaststroke, 3rd place in the 50 yard butterfly and 4th place in the 50 yard freestyle. Amber had a 3rd place finish in the 50 yard freestyle and came in 1st in the 100 yard individual medley.
The 13-14 year old group featured Andrew Fowler and Kailey Roland. Andrew placed 1st in both the 50 yard freestyle and 50 yard breaststroke. He also finished 3rd in the 200 yard individual medley. Kailey placed 3rd in 3 events; the 50 yard freestyle, 50 yard backstroke and 50 yard breaststroke.
Representing the 15-18 year olds were sisters Kimberly and Jennifer Marti. Kimberly placed 2nd in the 50 yard butterfly and had 6th place finishes in both the 50 yard freestyle and 50 yard breaststroke. Jennifer placed 4th in both the 50 yard freestyle and 50 yard breaststroke and then went on to win the 50 yard butterfly.
The 8 and under group had 5 relay teams that placed in the top 4 for the night. For the boys the team of Kip Roland, Lincoln Kaderly, Griffin Leininger and Haydn Bartholomew finished 1st in both the 100 yard medley and the 100 yard freestyle. For the girls the relay team of Hattie Gilkey, Jessica White, Shelby Haskins and Jasmine Bello placed 1st in the 100 yard medley and 2nd in the 100 yard freestyle. Also representing the 8 and under girls were Grace Compton, Molly Kellenberger, Morgan Cook and Carmen Miller. They swam to a 4th place finish in the 100 yard freestyle relay.
The 10 and under group didn’t too bad either, winning 2nd place in 4 relay events for the night. The team of Jordon Steever, JT Tucker, William Tennel and Jack Gilkey placed 2nd in both the 100 yard freestyle and the 100 yard medley. For the girls Hannah Moyer, Madison Kellenberger, Kenna Roland and Margaret Kellenberger also placed 2nd in both the 100 yard medley and the 100 yard freestyle.
The 11-12 year olds featured the team of Patrick Simmons, James Simmons, Jacob Haskins and Jantzen Davis taking home a 2nd place ribbon for the 200 yard medley.
Other Tiger Sharks who swam were Blake Elam, Morgan Cook and Donte “Don’t Call Me Hall” Stahl. All 3 of them just barely missed receiving a ribbon.