LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Channel Cat Challenge swim meet, hosted by the Lake County Channel Cats, took place Saturday, Aug. 11, and Sunday, Aug. 12, at Westshore Pool in Lakeport.

More than 120 swimmers from Northern California and the Bay Area competed in the second annual event.

Thirty Channel Cats, ages 8-18, competed in more than 70 events over the two days.  

The roster included Catherine Braider, Maya Colacion, Paloma Colacion, Shao Jia Chang, Candace Clayton, Danielle Erickson, Allison Hanson, Nicole Hanson, Chase Larsen, Emma Larsen, Owen Lawler, Sydney Lawler, Faith Martinazzi, Galen Martinazzi, Matteo Merodio, Sarah Merodio, Kyra Otte, Aiden Reeder, Jonathon Rixen, Merin Rixen, Lauren Rudnick, Ryann Taylor, Amelia Tejeda, Diego Tejeda, Alex Schenck, Melissa Thibeau, Evan Thompson, Maria Tinoco, Ashley Vasquez and Liam Wayment.

Eight-year-old Ryann Taylor gave a standout performance, earning four new PC-A time medals in the 25 back, 50 back, 25 breast and 50 breast.

She placed first in the 25 free, 50 free, 25 breast, 50 breast and 25 fly. She also took home second in the 50 back and third in the 25 back.

Also drawing attention was Paloma Colacion, who earned a new PC-A time medal in the 100 back.  She placed first in the 100 back and 200 IM, second in the 100 free and third in the 50 free.

Other notable performances included:

• Kyra Otte, third in 25 back;
• Maria Tinoco, third in 50 free and 100 IM;
• Sydney Lawler, second in 100 breast and third in 50 breast;
• Galen Martinazzi, first in 25 free;
• Catherine Braider, second in 50 back and third in 100 back;
• Maya Colacion, first in 100 back;
• Emma Larsen, third in 500 free;
• Danielle Erickson, second in 500 free;
• Nicole Hanson, first in 500 free and third in 100 free;
• Lauren Rudnick, first in 50 free, 100 free, 500 free, 100 back and 100 IM;
• Jonathan Rixen, third in 50 free and 100 free;
• Chase Larsen, third in 50 back;
• Liam Wayment, third in 100 breast;
• Merin Rixen, third in 50 free;
• Amelia Tejeda, second in 50 free, 200 free and 100 back, and third in 100 breast;
• Candace Clayton, second in 200 free and 100 fly, and third in 200 free and 200 IM;
• Melissa Thibeau, first in 50 free, 100 free, 200 free and 100 breast;
• Diego Tejeda, first in 50 free, and second in 100 free, 200 free and 200 breast;
• Owen Lawler first in 50 free, 100 free, 500 free (new PC-B time) and 200 breast; and second in 100 back, 100 breast and 100 fly;
• Sarah Merodio, first in 50 free, 100 free, 500 free, 100 breast and 100 fly, and second in 200 free and 200 breast;
• Allison Hanson, first in 200 free, 500 free, 100 back, 100 fly and 200 IM, and second in 50 free, 100 free and 100 breast.
• Shao Jia Chang, first in 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 200 breast, 100 fly and 200 IM.
• Matteo Merodio, first in 100 free, 200 free, 100 back, 100 breast and 200 breast, and second in 50 free and 100 fly;
• Evan Thompson, first in 50 free and 100 fly, and second in 100 free, 200 free and 100 back.

Long-time team member Matteo Merodio was honored during the swim meet – his last one as a Channel Cat – for his outstanding performance as a swimmer and for being a mentor to the younger members of the team.  

Stephanie Wayment, parent of 9-year old Liam Wayment, spoke of how Merodio inspired her son and helped him become a better swimmer.

The team celebrated Merodio’s contribution to the team by cheering him on as he swam a lap for the crowd.  

Merodio, a 2012 Kelseyville High School graduate, will be leaving Lake County to attend and swim for Hartwick College in New York state.

The Lake County Channel Cats would like to extend a hearty thank you to the following sponsors of the Channel Cat Challenge: Disney Watersports, Bruno’s Shop Smart, Chasewater Winery, The Carriage House and Lakeport English Inn.  

For more information about how your business can become a sponsor or how you can sign up your child for the swim team, please contact team president Jennifer Hanson at 707-263-3131.