Lions swimmers heading to competition in Washington

Two athletes from the Havre Lions Swim Team, Audrey Taylor and Carson Sandstrom, have qualified to compete in the Washington Open in Federal Way, Washington, Jan. 16-19.

"It's a really proud moment. Seeing these athletes succeed and qualify for meets that are above our state is pretty awesome, and to see them go above, it's just a proud moment as a coach," Havre Lions Swim Team head coach Hayley Coursey said.

Havre High School swim coach Jill Cammon, who used to coach the Lions team before taking over as the high school coach in 2013-14, said it has been about five years since a Lions swimmer qualified for an out-of-state meet

Coursey said competitors must qualify for the meet. Athletes will compete against more than 4,000-other swimmers from multiple states, and it is the Montana Age Group State Meet and Senior Sectionals.

She added that for a student to qualify for the Washington Open, which is part of USA Swimming, after each meet in which the swimmer competes USA Swimming posts their qualifying times, and once those are posted the athletes create their set of goals and motivational places they would like to hit in their events.

"Both of our swimmers hit those cuts for their swims for the Washington Open," she said.

Taylor said it is a big accomplishment for her because, although she has been swimming for seven years, she had only competed for two years before this year.

"I'm pretty excited," Taylor said. "... This is my third year year competing and to be able to go out of state and to compete with so many other swimmers is a big opportunity."

She said she is looking forward to the experience overall at the Washington Open and to set some personal records, do her best and give 110 percent.

She added that she will compete in four different events, the 100 meters breaststrok, 50 freestyle, 200 individual medley and the 200 freestyle.

Sandstrom, who competes for the Havre High School swim team as well as the Lions, said this is a major accomplishment for him.

"I'm really really, excited - so excited - and nervous, too, because this is my first out of state meet," Sandstrom said. "The thing I'm most looking forward to is the competition and, I guess, hoping to make new swimming friends out of state."

He added that he has been swimming for 14 years - 12 of those years he has been competing, and he has been on the Havre Lions Swim Team for five years.

He said will be competing in the 50 meters freestyle, 100 freestyle and the 200 freestyle.

"I'm just really excited for all of them," Sandstrom said.

See more on Havre Lions Swim Team in Friday's Hi-Line Living in The Havre Daily News.