By Alyssa Peters
Chadron Sharks Kick Off the New Year with Strong Performances in Deadwood
The Chadron Sharks started off 2025 with impressive results at a two-day swim meet in Deadwood, SD. Seven swimmers competed, with three new athletes joining the team for the event.
Coach Barb McCartney expressed her pride in the team’s progress. “I am so very proud of our swimmers this season. So far, we have three who have qualified for the State meet and several who have achieved new personal best times. We look forward to showing our skills at our home meet on February 1-2. We invite the community to join us and see the accomplishments of the Chadron Sharks,” she said.
The meet in Deadwood marked a series of excellent performances, with Sharks swimmers earning top placements and achieving personal records (denoted by *).
Girls’ Results:
Penn Vergil (age 11): 50 Yard Back – 40.07*, 6th place; 100 Yard Free – 1:10.67*, 3rd place; 50 Yard Breast – 44.81*, 4th place; 50 Yard Free – 31.24*, 3rd place.
Fabiola Benitez-Socarras (age 12): 50 Yard Back – 49.94, 14th place; 100 yard Free – 1:35.37*, 18th place; 50 Yard Breast – 51.74, 10th place; 200 Yard Breast – 4:02.76*, 6th place; 200 yard Free – 3:36.42, the place; 100 Yard Back – 1:50.64*, 7th place; 50 Yard Free – 40.88, 12th place; 100 Yard Breast – 1:57.62, 6th place.
Madeline Bower (age 12): 100 Yard Butterfly – 1:35.85, 2nd place; 200 Yard Back – 3:09.53, 3rd place; 100 Yard Free – 1:23.77, 10th place; 200 Yard Breast – 3:35.39, 4th place.
Sarah Johndreau (age 16): 200 Yard Breast – 4:26.91, 2nd place; 100 Yard Individual Medley – 1:39.72, 2nd place; 100 Yard Back – 1:39.82, 3rd place.
Valeria Benitez-Socarras (age 16): 100 Yard Butterfly – 1:27.76, 2nd place; 200 Yard Back = 3:10.68, 2nd place; 100 Yard Free – 1:14.61, 2nd place; 200 Yard Breast – 3:32.74, 1st place; 200 Yard Free – 2:46.80, 2nd place; 100 Yard Back – 1:24.21, 2nd place; 100 Yard Breast – 1:38.44, 1st place.
Boys’ Results:
Charles Johndreau (age 11): 100 Yard Free – 1:43.35, 10th place; 50 yard Free – 47.99, 7th place.
Carter Peters (age 15): 100 Yard Butterfly – 1:08.37, 3rd place; 100 Yard Free – 58.33, 3rd place; 1650 Yard Free – 21:50.49, 2nd place; 200 Yard Free – 2:07.12*, 1st place; 100 Yard Back – 1:07.99*, 1st place; 50 Yard Free – 25.85, 3rd place; 100 Yard Breast – 1:16.14, 3rd place; 200 yard Individual Medley – 2:27.02, 1st place.
The Sharks will now have a brief break from competition before a busy February. The month will see them competing at their home meet in Chadron, as well as in Buffalo, WY; Newcastle, WY; and the Winter State Championships in Gillette, WY. The hard work and dedication displayed so far by the team has set a high bar for the rest of the season, and the team is excited to see what’s next.
Chadron’s Splash Swim Meet, which is free of charge, will be at the Chadron Aquatic Center on February 1-2. The meet promises to be an exciting event, and the community is encouraged to come out and support these talented athletes as they continue to make waves in the swimming world.