It was a blistering hot day last Saturday with temperatures reaching well over the triple digit mark in the Valley as the Turlock Seadogs placed first in the Oakdale Invitational with a score of 1,575, while the second place Ripon squad trailed by over 100 points. It is the second time this season that the Seadogs have won an invitational.

“Going into the meet we knew that some kids might drop out because of the major heat conditions,” Seadogs coach Michaela Solario said. “But we knew it would be close with Ripon and Manteca; they always have a good team. Ripon is a power house and the kids stepped it up and made the heat worth it because they competed well.”

In total, the Seadogs took home 61 top three finishes. The girls finished the day with 23 in the top three and the boys took 38. In the past two events, the Turlock swimming squad has amassed 2,975 points.

Topping off the day with multiple first place finishes were Kamarin Waite and Sierra Yandell, for the girls, and Blake Phillips, CJ Cossey and Mitchell Clark for the boys.  Phillips took first in the 100 back and fly, and second in the 100 breast. Waite concluded her day with first place finishes in the 100 IM and 50 back and also took second in the 50 fly. Cossey finished first in the 100 and 50 free as well as second in the 100 fly. Yandell took first in the 50 free and breast and Clark took first in the 25 free and fly, while topping at second in the 25 breast.

Other top performers for the girls were Taylor Jarvis, who took first in the 50 breast, second in the 50 free and third in the 100 free. Emma Burke took first place in the 50 back and notched two second place finishes in the 100 and 50 free.

For the boys, Noah Cossey placed second in the 50 free and fly. Mitchell Clark took two first place finishes in the 25 free and fly and also second in the 25 breast.

“I just feel blessed and honored to be part of such a great organization. From 6 and under to 18, they are fantastic. It does not feel like work when I get to go out and do what I love every day and it’s great to see the kids out here having a great time also and them enjoying it and having them earn something is huge for us as coaches and we are proud of them,” Solario said. 

The Seadogs will travel to face Ripon today.