Last year, Wellington nearly lost 5 to 1 to the Winfield Swim Club at the aquatic center over there.
This year it was a completely different story.
Winfield still won but Wellington was much closer losing 381-316.
It marked the second home meet of the season for Wellington and it is testimony to just how much better the Wellington Swim Club is in 2009.
The difference? Wellington is under the guise of third-year head coach Courtney Wiens and is assisted by Katelyn Sisson.
Also, Wellington has had several swimmers trek to Wichita to participate in winter programs such as the Wichita Aqua-Shocks and the Wichita Swim Club.
Also, there has been an influx of new talent into the program. Wellington is now at 60 swimmers strong.
Tuesday night, Wellington was about 25 swimmers short of Winfield, yet pulled closer to the team than in has for years.
Winfield, a noted power in the Great Plains Swim League, may not be what it has been in the past, it is still a formidable foe.
Individual Winfield results were not ready at presstime, but here are some significant performances from the three previous meets this season for the Wellington Sailfish swimmers.
•Erica Linnebur recently finished first in the 200 freestyle with a 2:54.88 time.
•Matthew Hurley swam the 200 free in 2:51.43 and has garnered first in two meets.
•Riley Smith placed first in the 50 freestyle in El Dorado with a sizzling time of 42.64.
•All three Etter brothers are first-place ribbon winners in the 50 free at one point this season. Jonny Etter at 13-14 had a 31.65 time against Valley Center. Hunter Etter at 9-10 won at El Dorado and Derby with a 46.30 time. Bailey Etter at 8-under has won everywhere with a time of 50.21.
•Aurora Bonham was first in the 50 free at 44.18 for 8-unders in Derby. While sister Savanna Bonham placed first in 9-10 with a 39.39 at the same meet.
•Bliss Baird got a 36.40 time for first place for 11-12 year olds in the 50 free against Valley Center. She also got first in the 50 fly with a 43.65 time.
•Morgan Thomas placed first with a 34.06 time in the 50 free against Valley Center here.
•Hurley and Eric Anders were winners in Derby in 50 free with a 32.71 and 30.88 times respectively.
•Emma Dillon was a big winner in the 8-under back with a 1:02.60 time in Derby.
•Lauren Scheufler secured first in the 50 back for 9-10 with a 52.56 in El Dorodo.
•Jace Lawrence cruised to a win in the 50 meter back stroke in Derby and did it again in El Dorado.
•Wellington had three winners in the 100 fly in El Dorado: Anders, J. Etter and Miranda Serrioz. Linnerbur also won against Valley Center.
•Wellington is doing exceptional in the 200 IM races which incorpoates all four official swim strokes: fly, back, breast and freestyle.
Recently, Jason Haydon placed first for 13-14 year olds with a 3:31.41 time.
Bliss Baird continues to amaze in 11-12 year old 200 IM. Her time at El Dorado was 3:51.17 and was even better against Winfield.
Allison McCue placed first for 9-10 years olds in El Dorado with a 5:11.30 time.
Aurora Bonham placed first for 8-under 200 IM with a 4:32.00.
Matt Hurley secured first in the 100 breast in El Dorado with a 1:35.16 for 13-14 year olds.
Brecken Lawrence placed first in the 50 breast 9-10 division at 54.65 in El Dorado.
Aurora and Savanna Bonham swept El Dorado with 1:46.60, 1:31.79 times respectively in 100 free.
•100 freestyle was definitely a strong suit for Wellington in Derby. B. Lawrence, Baird, B. Etter and Christian James were first place winners.
•Alexis Tracy was first place in the 50-meter breast stroke for 8-unders with a 1:31.47 time.
•Wellington has has several first-place winners in the relay events, to numerous to mention here.
Wellington, Kan. —
