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03/31/2016 12:00 AMAs the 2015-’16 short course swimming season comes to a close, 13-year-old Kayla Mendonca of Madison has numerous pool records to her credit competing for the Valley Shore YMCA Marlins swim team out of Westbrook.
Since joining the Marlins at age 7, Mendonca has been driven by her determination to compete at the highest-possible level and has consistently beaten team records every step of the way. Mendonca first made the record-board in the 10-U category, added other records as an 11- and 12-year-old, and her name now appears in 21 of the results on the team record-board. This year alone, Mendonca has broken 10 team records, including the 100 freestyle (54.94 seconds), 500 free (5:25.15), 1,000 free (11:07.71), 1,650 free (18:22.17), 100 butterfly (1:02.27), 200 butterfly (2:18.22), 200 individual medley (2:15.14), and 400 IM (4:44.65).
Having qualified for zones for the past three years, Mendonca’s eyes were firmly set on the prize of a National Championship qualifying time. She achieved two YMCA national cuts in the 100 backstroke (59.39) and the 200 backstroke (2:07.43) at the Connecticut Age Group Championships, which were held from March 10 to 13 in Stamford. She plans to attend the YMCA National Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina from Monday, April 4 through Friday, April 8.
“Kayla Mendonca is a hard-working swimmer who has fun every day,” said Marlins’ Coach Teddy Weeks. “She comes to practice more than most swimmers and puts in the time and effort. She has a love for the sport that cannot be taught. I am very proud of Kayla and the accomplishments she is making and the accomplishments she will achieve in the future.”
The Valley Shore YMCA Marlins are a competitive swim team composed of boys and girls ranging in age from 6 to 18. Membership in this group is a both a challenging and rewarding experience. Swimmers train at the Valley Shore pool in Westbrook. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Marlins should contact Coach Weeks at vsymarlins@gmail.com.
Information courtesy of Debra Tietjen-Smith