After inactive for five weeks due to weather, the Aqua Tribe finally competed in Keller on Dec. 13-14.

“We don’t have enough experience at meets,” assistant Coach Danielle Sims said. “The time off has really hurt our competitive edge.”

Members of the team found themselves fighting back with slower times.

“The first day at Keller our times were worse than before,” junior Arin Hindman said. “Without meets we didn’t set goals, which has led to some slacking off.”

Newbies on the team got crucial competition time. Freshman Ruger Jones finished 10th in the 50 and 100 freestyles as well as fourth with the 200 freestyle relay and second with the 400 freestyle relay.

“Our 400 relay is really strong,” Jones said. “We have a lot of speed, and it is showing.”

Obstacles have plagued the team throughout the early season.

“We are not ready due to not having as many meets,” senior Kourtney Kildow said. “People with injuries can’t practice, so no one is really on track.”

Senior Judy Thiessen said that injuries are not the only thing keeping the team off track.

“There are people who can’t keep their grades up,” Thiessen said. “That as well as injuries and no meets is really hurting the team.”

The team does have strengths going into district.

“We have a lot of talent,” junior Carlo Franco said. “The team is young but has good ability.”

Even with the talent the Aqua Tribe members still needed to work.

“I need too work on my arms for breaststroke,” Kildow said. “I have the kick, but I need more pull.”

The team must make do with only two practice meets left.

“We need to stride to be competitive,” Sims said. “We have two meets left and then district is here, so we need to step up.”

The Tribe will participate in a tri-meet with Andrews and Hobbs on Jan. 2 and a full meet in Andrews on Jan. 10.

Results for Keller State Invitational

Combined team–fourth overall

Maidens–fifth

200-yard medley relay (Tori Phillips, Kourtney Kildow, Judy Thiessen, Arin Hindman)–fifth (2:17.14)

200-yard individual medley (Arin Hindman)–sixth (2:51.89)

50-yard freestyle (Judy Theissen)–fifth (28.98), (Faith Klassen)–ninth (30.42)

100-yard freestyle (Judy Theissen)–fifth (1:02.83), (Faith Klassen)–eighth (1:08.53), (Kourtney Kildow)–10th (1:10.15)

200-yard freestyle relay (Arin Hindman, Kourtney Kildow, Faith Klassen, Judy Thiessen)–fourth (2:00.65), (Nancy Bergen, Kree Ellison, Esther Neufeld, Grecia, Hermosillo)–sixth (2:09.10)

Indians–fourth

200-yard individual medley (Danny Friessen)–sixth (2:37.78)

50-yard freestyle (Carlo Franco)–fourth (24.62), (Ruger Jones)–10th (26.81)

100-yard freestyle (Carlo Franco)–second (54.45), (Ruger Jones)–10th (1:00.27)

200-yard freestyle relay (Danny Friessen, Ruger Jones, Jonah Rempel, Carlo Franco)–fourth (1:43.42), (Ramiro Garcia, Robert Gonzales, Samuel Letkeman, Antonio Porras)–ninth (1:55.60)

400-yard freestyle relay (Danny Friessen, Ruger Jones, Jonah Rempel, Carlo Franco)–second (3:53.94), (Ramiro Garcia, Robert Gonzales, Samuel Letkeman, Antonio Porras)–seventh (4:29.34)