Havasu’s Liska, Johnson shine at multi-state swim meet

Staff reports
Today's News-Herald
Published Monday, July 5, 2010 10:15 PM MST

TEMPE — Two of the five Havasu Stingray Swim Team members making the trip to Tempe were tops in their classes at the Sparky Invitational Swim Meet June 26-27.

Both Tatum Liska, 8, and Alex Johnson, 12, took the long course high point trophies after facing off against swimmers from Arizona, Colorado, and Washington.

Liska won the girls 8-and-under Division after taking gold in the 50-meter breaststroke (53.57), 100M freestyle (1:28.84). 50M butterfly (43.69), and the 50M freestyle (38.89). She also earned a bronze in the 50M backstroke.

In the girls 11-12 Division, Johnson swam against a field of over 72 swimmers and captured gold medals in the 100M breaststroke (1:22.43), 100M butterfly (1:15.95) and 200M breaststroke (3:04.94). She earned silver in the 50M breaststroke, 200M IM and 50M freestyle and bronze in the 200M backstroke and 50M butterfly.

Also competing in the division were Havasu 11-year-olds Bailee Liska and Chloe Johnson. Bailee Liska earned two top five and six top ten finishes, and Chloe Johnson ended the meet with four top ten finishes.

Swimming in his first long course meter meet, Geoff Hobday, 12, had three top 25 finishes competing in a field of 50 swimmers in the boys 11-12 Division.

“The Stingrays had some good swims last weekend,” said Coach Mike Taylor. “They are right on the path for Regional and State Championships in a few weeks".

Next up for the Stingrays is the Regional Long Course Championships, hosted by the Kingman Dolphins, July 16-18.