Chloe Isleta records 7 more top finishes at Far Western’s
Being at the top, there is only one place to go. But Hollister’s
Chloe Isleta doesn’t appear to be vacating her throne any time
soon.
Chloe Isleta records 7 more top finishes at Far Western’s
Being at the top, there is only one place to go. But Hollister’s Chloe Isleta doesn’t appear to be vacating her throne any time soon.
Fresh off seven first-place finishes at the Pacific Swimming Short Course Junior Olympic Championships in late March, a feat that earned the 10-year-old swimmer the high-point title, Isleta once again dominated last weekend at the Far Western Championships in Morgan Hill, considered the largest swim meet in California.
On stage in front of approximately 1,500 to 2,000 swimmers from 11 different states, Isleta showcased another seven first-place finishes, and even improved upon each one of her times from the Junior Olympics on March 20-22.
A fifth-grader from Gabilan Hills – she even took first place in all seven of her preliminary races – Isleta was awarded high point at Far Western’s in the 10-and-under age category, one year after finishing high point runner-up as a 9-year-old.
“I feel better. I feel faster now,” Isleta said. “I took time off in all my races.
“I did good.”
Indeed. Isleta was first in the 50 free (26.54), the 50 back (30.07), the 100 free (57.58), the 100 back (1:03.99), the 100 IM (1:03.80), the 200 IM (2:15.86) and the 500 free (5:28.04).
Her times in the 100 back and the 200 IM were especially impressive. The 1:03.99 in the 100 back broke an all-time Pacific Swimming record (1:04.13), dating back to 1991, while her 2:15.86 in the 200 IM not only shattered an all-time Pacific Swimming record from 1995 (2:17.14), but is also just 86 one-hundredths of a second off the all-time national record of 2:15.00.
Coach Dave Steele from Rovella’s Athletic Club in Hollister called Isleta’s times “staggering.”
“Those are killer,” Steele added. “She actually went faster than I thought she would, which is pretty amazing.”
Steele said Isleta will have two more chances, maybe even three, to break the 200 IM record, which was set by California’s Ella Eastin last year. Her first chance is expected to come at the 10-and-under Championships, slated for April 25 in Sunnyvale.
“We’re gonna take another run at that 200 IM,” Steele said.
“We’re all hoping that she can do it.”
Lucky Sevens
Junior Olympics Event Far Western’s
26.84 50 Free 26.54
31.16 50 Back 30.07
58.80 100 Free 57.58
1:06.76 100 Back 1:03.99
1:05.06 100 IM 1:03.80
2:21.35 200 IM 2:15.86
5:37.71 500 Free 5:28.04
