Swimming talent runs in the Kitson family, as the siblings came out big in their meet against Linfield.
“We don’t compete that much just because boys are a lot faster than girls. We have always both swum backstroke, but I lost the ability to beat him when he hit puberty,” Kenzie Kitson said. Her younger brother, sophomore Teale Kitson (Durango, Colo.), won three events while his sister senior, Kenzie Kitson (Durango, Colo.), won two.
“Swimming with my brother on the team has actually felt pretty normal. We get along well and have swum together since we were little. I have really appreciated seeing him become part of the UPS team and I have enjoyed seeing him improve in his swimming. I am glad that he is not at a different school because it would be more difficult to be part of his life. We have become closer friends being part of this team, and I am so happy that he decided to come to UPS,” Kenzie said.
Overall, both teams came out on top with a 164-97 win for the men and a 180-78 win for the women’s team.
On the men’s side, Kitson took titles in 800 free (9:00.05), 100 back (1:01.67) and 400 free (4:24.21). Sophomore Derek Frenzel (Moscow, Idaho) also took home three wins for the Loggers; in the 200 fly (2:13.41), the 200 back (2:18.56) and the 400 IM (5:01.03). Junior Aleksander Jeremikj (Skopje, Macedonia) took home two wins in the 100 free and 100 fly.
Kitson and sophomore Caitlin Fuller (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) tied to lead the team with two wins each. Kitson won in the 100 back (1:08.52) and the 200 back (2:30.90) and Fuller took home wins in the 800 free (10:10.28) and 200 fly (2:36.45).
The senior swimmers have seen many changes throughout the years. “I have definitely seen the program change over the past four years. I am sure every senior says this, but I felt the team became more united over my four years. UPS swim team is made up of many talented swimmers [but]we have become more than that— we are a family. Every class has added something new to the program and finds a different way to support our team unity. I am so proud of the progress our team has made and I hope to see the trend continue in the future,” Kenzie said.
The Loggers won an impressive 23 of 28 events during their meet against Linfield. However, we will not have an opportunity to watch them swim again until Dec. 2 when they suit up for the Husky Invitational.
