New Mexico Swimmers at Winter Junior Nationals Swim Meet in Austin, Texas. are from left, Jamin Harlan (Albuquerque), Ethan Manske (Santa Fe), Orion Henderson and Kelly Wetteland (Los Alamos). Photo by Lee Taylor 

Orion Henderson preparing to win his heat in the 100 freestyle (lane 8). Photo by Karen Henderson

Kelly Wetteland (gray cap) on the way to winning her prelim heat in the 200 yard breaststroke cheered on by Orion Henderson and Coach Doug Forbes. Photo by Jen Wetteland

BY KEVIN HENDERSON

Los Alamos High School seniors Kelly Wetteland and Orion Henderson were two of four swimmers representing New Mexico at the Winter Junior National Swim Meet in Austin, Texas last week.  Kelly and Orion swim for Beast Aquatics and are coached by Doug Forbes.  Joining them were Ethan Manske of Charger Aquatics, Santa Fe Branch, and Jamin Harlan of Vipers of Albuquerque Swim Team.

Notable accomplishments included Kelly Wetteland setting a new New Mexico state record in the 17&18 year old 200 yard breaststroke with a time of 2:14.48.  Orion Henderson produced the ninth fastest swim of the meet in the 400 yard individual medley, posting a time of 3:52.84.

Both Kelly and Orion are seniors at Los Alamos High School and are members of the high school swim team.  Kelly has committed to swim at the U. S. Naval Academy and Orion has committed to swim at the University of Arizona next fall.  Ethan Manske has committed to swim at Kenyon College and Jamin Harlan has committed to swim at West Virginia University.

The Winter Junior Nationals is the highest level of swim competition for eighteen and under swimmers.  This year nearly a thousand swimmers competed.  USA Swimming COVID protocols required that every participant had a negative test.