Marshall swimmers active in winter

Coach Mike Ballard (top) shares a moment with trophy winners Allison Weber (left) and Trey Beerman after a Heart of America Swim Club meet earlier this season. (Photo contributed) [Click to enlarge]

GLADSTONE -- Allison Weber led the Heart of America Swim Club of Marshall with a pair of top-10 finishes last weekend in the Missouri Valley Level 2 Championships at Gladstone.

Weber placed eighth in the 10-and-under 50-yard backstroke (38.87 seconds) and ninth in the 100 breaststroke (1:37.35) at the regional meet. In both events, she met the qualifying standards for the Division I Championships in March.

Other HASC swimmers posted Division II times. Ashley Craig placed in the top 20 in three 10-and-under races -- the 100 backstroke (1:39.81), 100 breast (1:46.69) and 50 breast (51.10) -- while also qualifying in the 50 back (48.56).

Olivia Quint had three D-II times in the 11- and 12-year-old age class: the 50 butterfly (38.55), 50 free (34.50) and 100 free (1:17.14). Amber Lonaker made the cut in the 100 fly (1:23.56) for 13- and 14-year-olds. Also competing was Cassie Farris in the 10-and-under group.

Jesse Corkill posted D-II times in all five of his 11-12 events, placing 22nd or better in the 50 (43.64) and 100 (1:35.04) breast, 50 (32.42) and 100 (1:12.84) free, and 50 back (39.82).

Kyle Weber was 10th in the 10-U 50 (44.85) and 100 (1:45.52) breast and 15th in the 50 back (44.85) -- all with D-II marks -- and 8-year-old Trey Beerman also did well in the same age group with a 20th in the 50 fly (47.57) and 25th in the 50 free (40.27).

Although not attached to the Marshall club, Christian Farris made the D-I standard while finishing fourth in the 100 free (1:03.61) and fifth in the 50 breast (38.17) and 100 individual medley (1:14.90).

The year-old HASC is currently seeking sponsors for 2010. Sponsorships are available at three levels: Heart of Gold for contributions of $250 or more, Silver Lining for $100 and Friend and Partner for $50. All include advertising listings in local swim meet heat sheets.

Club members will be contacting prospective contributors during the next few weeks, but mail-in donations could be made to the Heart of America Swim Club, Inc., P.O. Box 638, Marshall 65340.

The club has been active during the fall-winter short-course season, having competed in the Spring Decathlon at Park Hill High in Kansas City on Sept. 26-27, the Lightning Spooktacular on Oct. 23-25 at Lawrence, Kan., and the Fall Round-up at Independence on Nov. 6-8.

Up next for HASC is the Missouri Valley Level 1 Championships this Friday through Sunday at Wichita, Kan.