Region VIII Sectionals Re-cap

Nine Hammerheads competed at the Region VIII Sectionals July 12-15 2023 in Columbia, MO:

Notable Swims

-Natalie Dunaway set the new team record for the 50 Free with her performance in Finals. She was also a member and the anchor of the record-breaking relays: 200 Free, 200 Medley and 400 Free.

-Deacon Gutshall returned to Finals in the 400 Free and was the first to set the team record in the 50 Back when he swam it in his leg of the record-breaking 200 Medley Relay. He was also a member of the 200 Free and 800 Free Relays that broke team records.

-Makaila Hayes swam in the three record-breaking relays for the women: 200 Free, 200 Medley and 400 Free.

-Roman Lewis returned to Finals in the 100 Free and earned a new Sectionals cut while doing so. He was also the anchor of the 3 relays that broke records: 800 Free, 200 Free and 200 Medley.

-Zach Mendez returned to Finals in 2 events: 200 Free and 400 Free (top 16!) and earned Top 16 and 2 new team records in his timed finals: 1500 Free and 800 Free. He, too, was a member of the 3 Men’s Relays that broke records: 800 Free, 200 Free and 200 Medley.

-Raphael Realina was a member of 2 of the Men’s record-breaking relays: 800 Free and 200 Medley. In addition to Rafa’s accomplishments at Sectionals, he set a team record that went unannounced for the 50 Back at the Columbia Invite (see below.)

-Camille Schear swam in her first meet after major shoulder surgery last Winter. She was also in the 3 Women’s record-breaking relays: 200 Free, 200 Medley and 400 Free.

-Jack Stanley returned to Finals in the 50 Back where he unseated Deacon’s 2-day old record. Jack swam in the Men’s 200 Free Relay.

-Hannah Stewart swam in the 3 Women’s record-breaking relays: 200 Free, 200 Medley and 400 Free.

New Team Records

Natalie Dunaway – 50 Free – 27.62

Raphael Realina – 50 Back – 30.08 – 6.16.23
Deacon Gutshall – 50 Back – 30.07 – 7.13.23
Jack Stanley – 50 Back – 29.69 – 7.15.23
(Well done, Boys!)

Zach Mendez – 800 Free – 8:52.18

Zach Mendez – 1500 Free – 16:49.22

Z. Mendez, R. Lewis, R. Realina & D. Gutshall – 800 Free Relay – 8:15.41

M. Hayes, H. Stewart, C. Schear, N. Dunaway – 200 Free Relay – 1:54.24

D. Gutshall, J. Stanley, Z. Mendez, R. Lewis – 200 Free Relay – 1:43.38

M. Hayes, C. Schear, H. Stewart, N. Dunaway – 200 Medley Relay – 2:07.75

D. Gutshall, R. Realina, Z. Mendez, R. Lewis – 200 Medley Relay – 1:56.57

H. Stewart, C. Schear, M. Hayes, N. Dunaway – 400 Free Relay – 4:09.71