The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach is sponsored by the Aquatic Capital of America Foundation.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Friday was historic for Wilson swimming as the Bruins hosted its annual Klaus Barth Invite at Long Beach City College. Not only did star Sammie Hamilton break two meet records in the 200 and 500 freestyle races, it was the first Klaus Barth Invite as new Wilson coach for Kristin Barth-Kredell.
“The Klaus Barth Invite is always a fun and exciting meet,” said Barth-Kredell. “I look forward to this meet every year, but it was extra special for me tonight. It was also very special having my family there, my mom Shari Barth, my son Chi Kredell, my daughter Sydney Kredell, my brother Garrit Barth and his three kids Gannon, Sienna and Makoa Barth. And my husband Chi Kredell was cheering us all on at work at the fire station.”
“(At Wilson) We have been working really, really hard… We made several CIF individual and relay cuts. We definitely swam with the Klaus Barth mentality, ‘Never, never give up and you can do it.’”
Hamilton led the Wilson girls’ squad to a team win over Long Beach Poly, Los Alamitos, Millikan and Lakewood. Her 1:49.15 in the 200 freestyle was five seconds better than second place and her 4:47.98 in the 500 freestyle was 18 seconds better than second place. Both times broke meet records, according to Barth-Kredell.
“I didn’t know the meet records and it wasn’t something I was focused on,” said Hamilton. “But, I just think I’ve made a lot of progress since last year. So I’m not super surprised, but I’m super happy about it.”
Hamilton added that the meet honoring the legendary coach is great motivation, especially with one of her first swim coaches Barth-Kredell leading the program.
“It means a lot to the Wilson family,” she said. “That makes it a little more special for us.”
The Wilson girls’ also got great performances from Kathrine O’Dea in the 50 and 100 freestyle as well as the freestyle relays alongside Hamilton. Senior captain Vanessa Newton also swam her best times in the 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke and relays.
NOTABLE RESULTS
BOYS
200 Freestyle: Wyatt Mitchell 1:45.55 (Wilson)
200 IM: Lucas Jue 1:52.20 (Poly)
500 Free: Lucas Jue 4:32.77 (Poly)
200 Free Relay: Long Beach Poly 1:28.52 (Kuo, Jue, LaPorta, Jue)
GIRLS
200 Medley Relay: Long Beach Poly 1:51.65 (Brys, Kuo, Guevara, Puckett)
200 Freestyle: Sammie Hamilton 1:49.15 (Wilson)
200 IM: Sofia Brys 2:07.82 (Poly)
50 Free: Katherine O’Dea 24.66 (Wilson)
100 Butterfly: Sofia Brys 56.02 (Poly)
100 Free: Katherine O’Dea 53.42 (Wilson)
500 Free: Sammie Hamilton 4:47.98 (Wilson)
200 Free Relay: Wilson 1:39.13 (O’Dea, Newton, Davison-Lakey, Hamilton)
100 Breaststroke: Phoebe Kuo 1:11.71 (Poly)
400 Free Relay: Wilson 3:34.04 (O’Dea, Newton, Williams, Hamilton)
