Article Contributed on: 6/28/2006 9:21:01 AM
The lead sea-sawed throughout the two-day Ken Caryl Invitational swim meet held June 23 and 24. The Golden Marlins and Skyline traded places in first place throughout the competition.
Eighteen swim teams from all over the state were vying for the coveted first place trophy. "As I gave a pep talk at the beginning of the meet and reminded the kids we had worked hard and that we deserved to move up in the standings. I was hoping we could take second place this year," said Marlins Head Coach
Brian Reed. Swimmer
Greg Clough said, "I didn't come here for second place, let's win this thing! I'm now ashamed I ever doubted him or our swimmers. They continually amaze me."
Skyline beat the Marlins by almost 600 points at last year's Ken Caryl Invite. This year, the Marlins stayed neck in neck with Skyline.
"The meet was close going into the final relays, " Reed said. "We may have been behind by three points. I told the 8and-under girls relay (better known as 4fastfish) how close it was.
Juliet Manley (one of the swimmers on the relay) turned to me and said, 'We're gonna do it for you Coach Brian.' I get choked up thinking about this."
They did it for the Coach Brian and the team. The Marlins took top honors at the Ken Caryl Invitational. Golden finished the meet with 1342 points to Skyline's 1318 points.
Virginia Vale placed third with 923 points.
"Watching the faces of our kids and parents when we realized we won the Ken Caryl Invite is a moment I'll never forget," Reed said.
He was quick to credit the entire team. "Each and every Marlin (whether they attended or not) contributed to this huge success. Our swim team is a family where every member is valued. "