Katie Records swimming the record breaking 100 Breast Photo Wil Matthews of Velo Sport Photography

Every summer for 50 years the Lafayette Moraga Youth Association (LMYA) has hosted the area's top recreational (Rec) swimmers at the Contra Costa County Swim Championships. Commonly referred to as "County Meet," this championship is the largest of its kind in the nation. Swimmers from 58 teams compete with the dream of being crowned County Champion. For Rec swimmers throughout Contra Costa, qualifying for the County Meet is the ultimate goal and represents the culmination of a season of hard work and dedication to their sport. This year's 50th Anniversary meet was no exception, as nearly 2,000 swimmers ages 5 to 18 gathered at Diablo Valley College this past weekend to churn up the water.

The first County Meet, held in 1961 at Acalanes High School, was started by Acalanes teacher/swim coach Dick Dobbins and Lafayette resident Don Nesbitt. In the early years of the Championships, 12 teams participated, led by pioneer superstar clubs like Walnut Creek, LMYA and Orinda Park Pool.

This year's competition was fierce and the overflowing crowd of family and friends showered their support on the competitors. If that is any indicator of success, it can easily be said that every swimmer at the County Meet this year is a champion.





Lamorinda High Point Winners:

Caitlin Smith - LMYA, 6 & under girls

Brody Crouch - MRSC, 6 & under boys

Mark McCurdy - MCC, 7-8 boys

Jack Larsen - LMYA, 7-8 boys

Maddie Murphy - OCC, 11-12 girls

Brady Aiello - Springbrook, 11-12 boys

JD Ratchford - MCC, 13-14 boys

Nicholas Inserra - Springbrook, 13-14 boys



Lamorinda Record Breakers:

Katie Records - LMYA, 15-18 Women's 100 yd Breast

JD Ratchford - MCC, 13-14 Boys 50 yd Back

Maddie Murphy - OCC, 11-12 Girls 50 yd Fly

Moraga Ranch - 6 & under boys 100 yd Medley Relay

Moraga County Club - 15-18 Women's 200 yd Free Relay



TOP 6 TEAMS OVERALL:

1 Crow Canyon Country Club - CCCC - 1,114.50 points

2 Orinda Country Club - OCC - 879 points

3 Sleepy Hollow Legends - SH - 772 points

4 Blackhawk Swim Team - HOX - 762 points

5 Springbrook Swim Team - SPBRK - 724 points

6 Lafayette Moraga Youth Assoc. - LMYA - 664.50 points