Wave Ryders dive into home competition

By FAITH MOLDAN Bigfork Eagle

The increase in the number of swimmers competing at the Wave Ryder Swim Club Fall Frenzy meet not only meant more competition for the 12 Bigfork Wave Ryders, but also better competition.

The Fall Frenzy, held in Whitefish Oct. 12-13, drew 150 swimmers from 10 different teams to The Wave's pool. Thirty-two Wave Ryders total from both the Whitefish and Bigfork clubs competed in the meet, marking a meet-record for the team.

"That's a huge increase," Wave Ryder coach Deidre Loyda said of the 150 swimmers. Last year's Fall Frenzy had 105 competitors and the previous year had just 91 swimmers. "The meet is growing each year and that means a higher level of competition."

The boys' team placed second in team points and the girls' team placed third. The Wave Ryders were third with their combined points.

"It was a fantastic weekend," Loyda said of the teams' results.

Seven boys and five girls swam from the Bigfork Wave Ryder club.

Malachi Bond, Travis Harlen and Joseph Potkonjak all swam in the 9-10 boys' age division. Harlen was the top finisher of the three. He finished third with 70 points. Harlen swam in seven events, taking second in the 200 free with a time of 3:31.70. He also dropped 1:15 in the 100 free. He finished that event in 1:39.72.

"He had one heck of a weekend," Loyda said. "The 100 free was a huge event for him. He has now figured it out."

Potkonjak placed seventh in the 9-10 boys' division. He swam the 50 breast for the first time in competition in Whitefish and placed second with his time of 1:03.71. Potkonjak competed in a total of five events and earned 54 points for the Wave Ryders.

Bond took seconds off a number of his times to place ninth overall with 32 points. He dropped 29 seconds off his 100 free and 22 seconds off his 200 free. Bond's times in the 100 and 200 were 1:59.98 and 4:20.21 respectively. He placed fourth in the 200 and earned 11 points.

Joseph Loyda and Joseph Zanni also swam for the Wave Ryders. Loyda competed in the 6-and-under division and Zanni swam in the 7-8 boys' division.

Loyda finished first in his age category. He swam in four events and earned 48 points. Coach Loyda said his best event was the 25 fly.

"It's a brand new event for him. He worked really hard and his stroke looked gorgeous," she said.

Loyda finished the 25 fly in a time of 31.41 seconds. That finish was 13.25 seconds faster than his previous best.

Zanni, swimming in his first meet ever, swam in three events and earned the Wave Ryders eight points. He finished 12th in the 7-8 boys' division. Zanni's 25 free time — 27.22 seconds — was good enough for eighth place and five points. He dropped 1.88 seconds off his time.

Rounding out the male swimmers were Joshua and Jordan Loyda. Joshua finished first in the 11-12 boys' division. He swam in 11 events and earned 151 points. He also placed first in the 500 free and took 22.91 seconds off his time. Loyda finished the 500 in a time of 6:27.02. His first place finish earned 16 points for the Wave Ryders.

Jordan also swam in 11 events. He finished second overall in the 13-14 boys' division and earned 137 team points. Loyda placed first in the 1,000 free with a time of 13:16.40. He dropped 14.10 seconds off of his previous best.

"Every kid was battling it out," Coach Loyda said of the swimmers.

Jessica Loyda and Bailey Smith swam in the 7-8 girls' division.

Loyda placed second with 127 points and has seven of nine possible state cuts . She dropped 8.54 seconds off her time in the 200 free, which she finished in a time of 3:18.16.

Smith, swimming in her first meet, earned a state cut in the 25 back.

"That's pretty impressive," Coach Loyda said of Smith's state-cut time. Smith finished the 25 back in a time of 24.69 seconds. She placed ninth overall and earned 42 points.

Sarah Ward and Cassandra Zanni represented the Wave Ryders in the 9-10 girls' division.

Ward swam in three events. She dropped 6.5 seconds off her 50 back time and placed 12th in the event. She finished the 50 back in a time of 49.98 seconds. Ward was 23rd overall.

"She had some great swims," Coach Loyda said.

Zanni also swam in three events. She placed 24th overall and earned a personal best in the 50 free, which she finished in 54.30 seconds. She took 2.4 seconds off her previous best.

Madeline Lorang came out of the blocks in the 50 fly in star form, according to Coach Loyda.

"I'm unbelievably proud of her," she said. "Her stroke was gorgeous."

Lorang, who swam in three events, finished the 50 fly in a time of 50.31 seconds. She placed 21st in her age section, the 11-12 girls' division.

Loyda said there are more Bigfork swimmers that haven't competed yet during this short-course season.

"Hopefully they'll swim in Kalispell in January," Loyda said of the Wave Ryders' next local meet. Those swimmers that haven't competed against other teams this season have been able to compete during inter-squad meets the Wave Ryders hold each fourth Friday. "It helps them get over their fear of competing," Loyda said.

The Wave Ryders compete next in Butte, November 2-4.