Kai Joyner, Elliot Leasure Stay Fast At Minnesota NSAC 11-14 State Championships

A pair of teens for the Rochester Orcas Swim Club continued to impress at the Minnesota North Suburban Athletic Club 11-14 state championships back in March.

Kai Joyner, a 14-year-old, and Elliot Leasure, a 13-year-old, showed why they have produced some of the fastest times this year in their respective age groups at the meet.

Joyner won seven individual events, most notably swimming a personal best time of 3:55.46 to win the 400 individual medley. He also won the 100 free (45.48), 200 free (1:39.30), 500 free (4:35.50), 1650 free (15:49.86), 100 back (50.09) and 200 back (1:48.09).

Among 14-year-old boys this season, Joyner owns the fastest times in the 100 and 200 free, the second-fastest time in the 400 IM, the third-fastest time in the 500 free, the fourth-fastest times in the 100 and 200 back, and the fifth-fastest time in the 1650 free.

Leasure won the 200 fly in a personal-best time of 1:53.09 and was second in six events. He swam personal best times in the 500 free (4:43.69), 200 free (1:44.17), 100 fly (51.41) and 400 IM (4:01.61). He also was second in the 100 back (51.24) and 200 back (1:48.83).

Among 13-year-old boys this season, Leasure has the top times in the 100 fly, 200 fly, 100 back and 200 back, the second-fastest time in the 400 IM, the third-fastest time in the 200 free and the 13th-fastest time in the 500 free.

Those two were a big reason why the Rochester Orcas won the boys’ team title. The Aquajets Swim Team won the combined team crown, while the Riptide Swim Team won the girls’ title.

Other individual standouts were:

• In the girls’ 13-14 age group, Marian Kalweit of the Riptide Swim Team won five events, topping the 100 free (51.94), 200 free (1:52.35), 100 back (55.88), 200 back (2:02.18) and 100 fly (56.68). All of those times except in the 100 free were personal bests.
• Maddie Mathiason of Saint Croix Swim Club was first in the girls’ 13-14 age group in all three breaststroke events, winning the 50 breast (29.53), 100 breast (personal best 1:04.23) and 200 breast (2:18.82). Among 13-year-old girls this season, she currently holds the second-fastest time in the 50 breast, the ninth-fastest in the 200 breast and the 10th-fastest in the 100 breast.
• Marin Hitzeman of Edina Swim Team won the 500 free in a personal best time of 5:01.11, the 1000 free (10:12.66) and the 1650 free (17:05.66). She was also second in the 200 free (personal best 1:52.78). Among 13-year-old girls this season, she has the second-fastest time in the 1000 free and the third-fastest time in the 1650 free.
• In the girls’ 13-14 age group, Claire Christianson of St. Croix Swim Club won all three IM events in personal best times, taking the 100 IM (58.75), 200 IM (2:05.20) and the 400 IM (4:26.38).
• Dante Framke of New Hope Crystal Plymouth won the 50 free (21.08), 100 IM (53.18) and 200 IM (1:57.37) in the 13-14 age group, all in personal best times. He owns the sixth-fastest time this season among 14-year-old boys in the 50 free.
• Andy Allocco of Edina Swim Club won seven events in the boys’ 13-14 age group, winning the 50 free (personal best 27.01), 50 back (personal best 31.55), 100 back (1:08.19), 50 breast (personal best 31.34), 100 breast (1:11.54), 200 breast (2:39.33) and 100 IM (1:06.49).
• In the girls’ 11-12 age group, Izza Mork of Great Wolf Swim Team won five events, taking the 200 free (personal best 2:00.56), 500 free (personal best 5:23.55), 1000 free (personal best 11:11.99), 1650 free (18:49.43) and 200 IM (personal best 2:14.44). She was also second in the 400 IM (personal best 4:45.95).
• Lili Helmrick of Great Wolf Swim Team in the girls’ 11-12 age group won the 100 fly (1:01.61), 200 fly (personal best 2:12.65) and 100 IM (personal best 1:02.91), while taking second in the 50 fly (personal best 27.76) and 50 back (28.51).
• Also in the 11-12 girls’ age group, Maci Severud of Great Wolf Swim Team won the 50 back (personal best 27.28), 100 back (1:00.17), 200 back (personal best 2:11.22) and 50 fly (personal best 27.01).
• Connor Miller of Saint Croix Swim Club won seven events in the 11-12 age group, capturing the 50 free (personal best 30.51), 100 free (1:08.10), 50 back (35.97), 100 back (personal best 1:15.45), 50 fly (34.40), 100 fly (personal best 1:16.03) and 100 IM (personal best 1:18.44).
• Jason Iou of Aquajets Swim Team won four events in the boys’ 11-12 age group, taking the 100 fly (1:01.95), 200 fly (personal best 2:17.72), 100 IM (personal best 1:02.66) and 200 IM (2:15.98). He was also second in the 200 breast (personal best 2:27.26).