By Alyssa Peters
The Chadron Sharks Swim Team had a spectacular opening to their season at the Black Hills Kickoff Swim Meet on October 28, 2023, in Rapid City, SD.
Six Sharks, three of whom are new to the team this year, made the trip to Rapid City to compete with 97 swimmers from Chadron, Rapid City, Spearfish, and Deadwood/Lead.
One of the new swimmers, Bohdan Shevchenko, who relocated with his family to Chadron from Ukraine earlier this year, earned state-qualifying times in both the 100 Yard Backstroke and the 50 Yard Freestyle.
RESULTS *Denotes a Personal Best Time.
Madeline Bower, age 11: 50 Yard Breaststroke – 58.27, 10th place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 46.30, 7th place; and 50 Yard Butterfly – 53.5, 6th place.
Fabiola Benitez-Socarras, age 11: 50 Yard Backstroke – 55.12* (-3.61 seconds), 9th place; 100 Yard Backstroke – 2:07.65* (-18.81 seconds), 3rd place; 50 Yard Breaststroke – 58.74* (-4.31 seconds), 11th place; 100 Yard Breaststroke – 2:19.29* (-5.59 seconds), 6th place; and 50 Yard Freestyle – 57.99, 9th place.
Abigail Bower, age 14: 50 Yard Backstroke – 44.00, 1st place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 40.22, 7th place; and 50 Yard Butterfly – 43.28, 5th place.
Carter Peters, age 14: 200 Yard Individual Medley – 2:56.25* (-10.95 seconds) 1st place; 100 Yard Breaststroke – 1:31.77* (-6.01 seconds), 4th place; 50 Yard Freestyle – 29.94* (-1.81 seconds), 4th place; 100 Yard Freestyle – 1:13.35* (-0.14 seconds), 4th place; and 100 Yard Butterfly – 1:27.45* (-9.16 seconds), 3rd place.
Valeria Benitez, age 15 – 200 Yard Individual Medley dropped 1.33 seconds (3:19.11*, 3rd place), 100 Yard Backstroke dropped 3.07 seconds (1:31.16*, 2nd place), 100 Yard Breaststroke (1:48.19, 4th place), 50 Yard Freestyle (35.13, 2nd place), and 100 Yard Freestyle (1:18.82, 3rd place).
Bohdan Shevchenko, age 16 – 100 Yard Backstroke (56.90, 1st place), 50 Yard Freestyle (22.84, 2nd place), and 50 Yard Butterfly (24.92, 1st place).