PERHAM — The Perham and New York Mills Lakes Area Penguin Swimmers, also known as LAPS, recently wrapped up their winter 2022 season. Coaches Courtney Skarie and Ellen Kurtz trained 47 swimmers this past winter ranging in ages from 6-17, 15 of which were brand new to the sport.
26 out of the 47 swimmers competed in at least one meet, and there was an average of eight kids that participated at every meet. There was significant time improvement for many of the swimmers, with 18 of the swimmers excelling with personal best times from the previous season. There were 12 gold-level times, 23 silver-level times and 40 bronze-level times.
LAPS qualified 22 swimmers for the Minnesota Regional Championship: Lincoln Anonen, Adriane Dokken, Megan Galbercht, Bella Holzer, Elise Janke, Railynn Kratzke, Maddi Kratzke, Katelyn Kratzke, Benjamin Mathiason, Kadence Matzke, Skylar Matzke, Elle McDonald, Irene Mursu, Kaydi Mursu, Jaelyn Rodewald, Lucy Schultz, Aubree Sonnenberg, Cameron Swenson, Mara Swyter, Maggie Vickmark, Ava Winjum and Taylor Ziemke. Of those swimmers, Kadence Matzke and Cameron Swenson competed at the two-day Minnesota Regional Championship held in Edina, and Taylor Ziemke qualfied for state.
LAPS 2022 summer season registration is kicking off on Monday, May 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Perham Area Community Center. The summer season for new swimmers begins on June 6 at the PACC.
For more information go to teamunify.com/team/mnlaps/page/home or email laps.swim@gmail.com .
