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2001 Lost Dutchman Invitational

Feb 20, 2001

The 2001 Lost Dutchman Invitational was hosted by Tempe Rio Salado Swim Team at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center at Arizona State University, this past weekend. Over 1300 athletes enjoyed beautiful weather and great competition. The Team Champions were the Mission Viejo Nadadores from Southern California with Phoenix Swim Club garnering the top total among Arizona squads.

Mission's Sachiko Yamada, an Olympic 800 Meter Freestyle finalist for Japan last summer, was the outstanding performer in the meet with victories in the 200 yd., 500 yd., 1000 yd. and 1650 yd. freestyle distances, as well as the 200 yd. Backstroke. She had meet record times in the three longest freestyle events.

On the men's side the top performances were turned in by a former Wildcat, Sun Devil and Scottsdale high schooler. Coley Stickels, Tucson Ford Dealers Swim Team, won the 50 yd. Freestyle at :20.13, breaking the :20.56 meet record previously held by Francisco Sanchez, a two time World Champion at 50 Meters Freestyle (short course) and NCAA 50 yd Champion for ASU. Pablo Abal, Sun Devil Aquatics, set a new meet mark in the 100 yd. Backstroke at :49.82. Matthew Owen, Scottsdale Aquatic Club, had the other outstanding performance on the Men's side with 9:27.44 in the 1000 yard freestyle, not a record swim but the 16 year old Owen was only 2.5 seconds outside the meet mark set last year by Klete Keller who was just 6 months out from his double medal performance at the Sydney Games.

The age group section of the meet was outstanding as well, with at least two meet marks formerly held by Olympic Gold Medalist Misty Hyman falling over the weekend.