Plumas Rapids host annual swim meet
The Rapids Swim Team hosted its annual swim meet at Pioneer Pool in Quincy on July 21 and 22, a tradition that has repeated for more than three decades. The final tally for participation included 164 swimmers who came from far away places including Corning, Orland, Oroville, Gridley, Susanville and Northern Nevada.
A trio of local worker bees shared meet director duties for the 2018 event: Shannon Little, Kyle Hardee and Kay Lund. Paul Vaughn is the dedicated head coach of the Rapids Swim team for his fifth season. Senior swimmer Emily Walmer is the assistant coach.
Many high point scores came from the Rapids team. Quincy Petersen took third place for ages 7-8. For ages 9-10, Carter Peterson finished in first, Riley Vaughn in second and Miley Nielsen, third place. For ages 13-14, Savannah Little had the highest score. Sabrina Walmer came in first for ages 15-16 and her sister, Senior Emily Walmer, came in second for ages 17-18. Senior Parker Carey had the high score for ages 17-18.
“The two seniors, Emily and Parker, have been incredible role models for the team,” said coach Vaughn, “… and Kate Baker made incredible improvements working hard all season long and it really showed in the meet.”
“We had a ton of parent volunteers who stepped up,” said director Kay Lund. “It really made the meet happen. It was very helpful.”
Vaughn said, “I couldn’t be any more happy with the effort, I was blown away again.” One family that has been volunteering for 20 straight years is the Carey family. Amy wondered aloud, “What will we do next summer?”
“One of the things that makes the swim meet so special is when the little kids get out there for the first time and compete; there is so much joy in their faces and the faces of the parents,” said Vaughn.
