The Malden Croken Crocs conclude their most successful season to date.

The Crocs championship season began with the Eastern Mass. District Championship meet, where the team earned 18 top 3 finishes and 3 District Championship titles.

The Crocs continued their championship season at the USA Swimming 12u Age Group Championship in Vermont.  Deanna Guo, a fifth grade student at Mystic Valley, placed 4th in the 100 Fly with a best time of 1:20.42.  The team then swam to 3 more top 3 finishes at the 13-18 Age Group Championship.  Ryan Luu placed 2nd in the 100 Fly with a best time and National cut time of 53.25.  Vivian Nguyen placed 3rd in the 100 Free with a time of 54.10 and Kelvin Nguyen placed 3rd in the 100 Back with a best time and National cut time of 54.69.

The Crocs continued their success at the New England Y Swimming Championship held at MIT.  The Crocs competed against 75 other New England area teams and earned 6 top 3 finishes including 3 New England Championship titles.  Kevin Ochoa, a seventh grade student at Salemwood, placed 2nd in the 100 Fly with a best time of 1:01.33.  Vivian Nguyen, a freshman at Malden High, finished first in all three of her individual events.  She is currently the New England Champion in the 100 Free with a best time and National cut time of 53.65, the 50 Free, and the 100 Fly where she previously swam a National cut time of 58.83.  The 13-14 year old boys finished 2nd overall and the 13-14 girls finished 4th overall in New England.

Short Course season ended with a trip to Buffalo, NY for the Speedo Super Sectionals.  Vivian Nguyen, Kelvin Nguyen and Ryan Luu, who were integral to Malden High School’s success this winter, qualified to compete in this highly competitive trials/finals meet.  Vivian was the Crocs top finisher with a 20th place finish in the 100 Fly. 

The Crocs are excited to begin the Long Course season.  They will be holding a STAT (starts, turns and technique) Clinic over April vacation.  Proceeds will help send the Crocs National Team to Indianapolis in July.  If you are interested in the clinic or want more information about joining the Crocs, please contact the YMCA Aquatics Office at 781-324-7680 ext. 214

Other top New England Finishes:

Ages 15-18

Kelvin Nguyen – 3rd 100 Back (55.59)

Ryan Luu – 3rd 50 Free (22.61), 5th 100 Free (48.95), 6th 100 Fly (54.25)

K. Nguyen, Justin Kwan, R. Luu, Daniel Sartell 12th Medley Relay (1:49.01)

Ages 13/14

Vivian Nguyen – 1st 100 Free (53.65), 1st 50 Free (25.14), 1st 100 Fly (59.51)

Maddy Hughes – 4th 100 Back (1:03.06)

Joe Connolly- 4th 200 IM (2:08.65), 5th 100 Fly (58.54), 5th 100 Back

J. Connolly, D. Ha, P. Jinapin, Andrey Carvalhais – 4th  Medley Relay (1:50.96)

M. Hughes, S. Hattal, Sophia Arredondo, V. Nguyen – 4th Medley Relay (1:57.68)

Dylan Ha- 5th 100 Breast (1:08.14)

Pete Jinapin – 6th 100 Fly (58.63), 7th 100 Breast (1:09.04)

P. Jinapin, K Sathapornchaisit, D. Ha, J. Connolly – 7th Free Relay (1:42.35)

S. Arredondo, Olivia DeCecca, M. Hughes, V. Nguyen – 10th Free Relay (1:48.90)

Soukaina Hattal- 11th 100 Breast (1:13.96)

Ages 11/12

Kevin Ochoa.- 2nd 100 Fly (1:01.33), 5th 50 Fly (27.83), 5th 200 Free (2:04.05)

Jennifer Kahler, Jennifer Lam, Sarah Souza, M. Thengi- 7th Medley Relay (2:06)

Myo Theingi – 8th 50 Breast (34.79), 9th 100 Breast (1:18.32)

Ages 9/10

Desmond Le – 7th 50 Breast (39.05), 11th 100 Breast (1:30.72)

Tracy Lam – 10th 100 IM (1:19.09)

Deanna Guo – 11th 100 Fly (1:21.99)