For the fourth year in a row, students of all ages competed in the annual YISS Aquathlon, which was held on May 20. An aquathlon is a two-stage race involving swimming immediately followed by running. Each year, the numbers have grown, and this year was no exception. Over 100 students and parents competed against their peers and the clock for a personal best time.

To prepare for the competition, 22 elementary and middle school students trained every Monday afternoon to practice their swimming technique and build their endurance for the run. Coach Linn and Coach Suhany worked with the students on how to reverse circle swim, transition from the swim to the run, and how to pace the run. After a time trial a week before the Aquathlon, these students were prepared and had a goal to beat.

Based on grade levels, there were three different distance categories: a 50-meter swim and 800-meter run for kindergarten and 1st grade, a 150-meter swim and 1.5 km run for 2nd-5th grade, and a 300-meter swim and 3 km run for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults.

Two of our elementary schoolers, Mika H. (4) and Raymon M. (4), competed above their suggested distance, swimming 300 meters and running the full 3 k course with the older students and adults.

Congratulations to the male and female winners for each category:

Short Course – Axen L. (1) and Tia I. (1)

Middle Course – Chase K. (5) and Hannah S. (5)

Long Course – Daniel P. (7) and Grace L. (10)

Adult – Sean Ro and Ruth Schaefer

A special thanks goes to all of the volunteers who helped time, transition, count laps, serve snacks, take pictures, and setup and teardown. This event would not have been possible without you!