The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

After taking the fourth of July weekend off to celebrate Independence Day the Chinook Lions and Harlem swim teams were back in the pool this past weekend competing in the Malta Invitational. With the season winding down coaches and swimmers are really working hard to get ready for the post season.

As a team the Chinook Lions performed very well earning a third place finish at the Malta Invitational. Individually, the Lions were outstanding, with five swimmers collecting High Point honors in their respective age groups.

Bringing home trophies for the Lions this week were Rachel Stephens in the girls 11-12 Junior division, Katie Tilleman in the girls (13-14) Intermediate division and Britton Elliot in the girls 15-19 Senior division. For the boys, Brockton Elliot and Daniel Tilleman shared the boys 13-14 Intermediate division High Point.

Full results for the Lions swim team were unavailable at press time but some individual accomplishments were available. Tyler Stephens established a new pool record in winning the eight and under boys 25 Meter Freestyle. Stephens won the race with a time of :16.96 eclipsing the previous mark set by Chinook's Daniel Tilleman back in 2017 of :17.91.

Bryce Elliot established a new Malta Pool Record in the 11-12 Junior boys 200 Meter Freestyle with a time of 2:36.84 breaking the old mark of 2:47.94 set back in 2017. The quartet of Rachel Stephens, Katie Tilleman, Brockton Elliot and Daniel Tilleman smashed the Federation record in the 13-14 200 Meter Mixed Medley relay with a time of 2:19.59 breaking the previous mark of 2:38.62 set a few weeks ago by the Sidney Tiger Sharks.

The Harlem swim team was well represented in Malta and had one swimmer take home top honors. Ciana Johnson set a couple of new pool records while claiming the 9-10 Midget girls division High Point trophy. Johnson smashed the pool record by more than a full second in winning the 50 Meter Freestyle with a time of :33.66. She would break her second pool record of the day with a win in the 100 Meter Freestyle toughing the wall in 1:14.60, taking more than three seconds off the previous mark of 1:18.00. Johnson capped her swim with a win in the 50 Meter Backstroke in a time of :42.92.

The Harlem Swim team had 21 swimmers in the pool this past weekend with some getting to swim for the very first time. All told it was a great week in the pool for the swimmers.

Hunter Speakthunder had a good weekend in the pool for the Harlem swim team. Speakthunder won the boys 13-14 100 Meter Backstroke with a time of 1:27.73. Hunter added a second place finish in the 50 Meter Butterfly with an effort of :38.18. He finished his individual swim with a third place finish in the 200 Meter Freestyle (2:42.25).

The Harlem swim team finished first in the 15-19 Mixed 200 Meter Freestyle Relay, winning the event in 2:12.85. Mara Cochran, Hunter Speakthunder, Marie Hogan and Landen Gray each swam a leg for the team. In the 15-19 Mixed 200 Meter Medley Relay the four combined their efforts for a second place finish with a time of 2:40.90.

Precious Stiffarm picked up a second place finish in the 11-12 girls 50 Meter Breaststroke, touching the wall in :48.56. Stiffarm added a third place finish in the 50 Meter Freestyle with an effort of :37.00 and a fourth place finish in the 200 Meter Individual Medley to complete her swim.

Hudson Simmons also turned in a solid effort for the Harlem Swim Team in Malta picking up a couple of second place finishes over the weekend. Hudson swam a :41.40 50 Meter Freestyle to earn a runner up finish for the 9-10 boys division. He later added a second place finish in the 50 Meter Butterfly with a time of 1:09.10. Hudson concluded his swim with third place finish in the 100 Meter Individual Medley (2:12.13).

Bailey Johnson performed very well in the girls 11-12 division for the Harlem Swim Team. Bailey finished second in the 50 Meter Freestyle with a time of :35.00. Bailey followed that effort with a second place finish in the 200 Meter Freestyle, completing the four laps in 2:49.51. She later added a third place finish in the 100 Meter Freestyle (1:16.80).

The Chinook Lions had five swimmers win their age groups High Point trophy while finishing third overall as a team in Malta. High Point winners include (L-R), Rachel Stephens (11-12), Katie Tilleman (13-14), Britton Elliot (15-19), Brockton Elliot and Daniel Tilleman (13-14).

Landen Gray picked up a second place finish in the Senior Boys (15-19) 50 Meter Butterfly with a time of :36.10. Gray also finished third in the 50 Meter Freestyle (:28.07) and the 100 Meter Freestyle (1:05.37).

Overall it was an exceptional weekend in the pool for the Harlem swimmers with 17 of the 21 swimmers scoring points for the team while all 21 gained experience in the pool. The number of swimmers that competed in Malta is the largest contingent to represent Harlem this season and is a great sign for the future as Head coach Andrew Rasmussen looks to continue to grow the team. With such strong numbers emerging the future looks bright for the Harlem swimmers as the season winds down.

The Chinook Lions and Harlem Swim teams will be in Glasgow this weekend. The summer swim season is quickly winding down with just two regular season meets remaining. The teams will have the option of swimming in Fort Benton or Scobey the week of July 23-24. The Eastern Divisional will take place in Plentywood July 30-31 with the top 12 swimmers in each event advancing to the state Swim Meet in Lewistown August 6-7.