Glacier Swim Club athletes Valerie Peimann, 16, Emma Fellman 18, and Lilly Francis, 15, at the 2024 Commonwealth Cup in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo courtesy of Glacier Swim Club)

Glacier Swim Club athletes Valerie Peimann, 16, Emma Fellman 18, and Lilly Francis, 15, at the 2024 Commonwealth Cup in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo courtesy of Glacier Swim Club)

Glacier Swim Club top athletes compete in Virginia

Fellman, Peimann and Francis bring small squad — but big results

With just three female swimmers competing at the 2024 Commonwealth Cup in Virginia last week the Glacier Swim Club finished respectfully among the larger clubs from around the nation, placing 14th in the combined men’s and women’s standings.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Valerie Peimann, 16, senior Emma Fellman, 18, and sophomore Lily Francis, 15, all faced stacked racing fields in their events.

Among competitors one swimmer had vast experience, Thomas Heilman, 17, swam in the Olympics last summer and broke Michael Phelps’ national age group record. At the CC he set meet records in the 100 fly (45.25), 50 free (19.72) and 200 fly (1:40.48).

“The meet was an awesome experience where I got to compete against so many fast swimmers and even watch an Olympian race,” Peimann said. “I felt like it was really good competition for me and really pushed me to perform my best. My goals going into the meet were to improve my times and have a fun experience. I’m thrilled to say that I was able to do that and more. I achieved all best times and broke several individual club records. Over the last couple of months I’ve seen the importance of a support system, and nothing can compare to the way I feel supported by my family and by Glacier Swim Club. I can’t wait for what the rest of my the club season has to bring, and I’m looking forward to racing other swimmers in the state.”

Peimann placed in women’s 13-and-over finals races that included 10th in the 200 back with a personal best time of 2:05.46, 12th in the 100 back with a personal best time of 58.08 (third fastest in Alaska this season), 15th in the 200 free with a personal best time of 1:55.15 (fastest in Alaska this season) and 20th in the 100 free with a personal best time of 53.32 (fastest in Alaska this season).

Peimann also swam the 400 IM improving her best time to 4:36.59 and improving her 500 free time to 5:11.41.

Fellman placed third in the women’s 13-and-over 100-yard breaststroke in 1:03.42 (meet record is 1:02.47) with splits of 29.98 and 33.44, and although a second off her state record from last season (1:02.28) it is still the fastest 100 for Alaska high schoolers this season.

Fellman also finaled in the 200 breast taking sixth with 2:21.65, but off her best time of 2:18.65. She also just missed her best times in the 100 back (1:00.17), 100 free (54.19), 200 IM (2:07.59) and 400 IM (4:29.94)

Francis set personal best times in the women’s 13-and-over 50 free finals, placing 12th in 24.56 (second fastest in the state this season).

She also set a personal best time in the 200 free of 2:01.93, and just missed her personal best times in the 100 fly (59.48), 100 free (54.62), 200 fly (2:16.52), and 200 IM (2:16.82).

Francis wished to thank those behind her efforts.

“I would like to say thank you to Coach Scott, Coach Corinne and GSC with being really supportive with this fall season,” she said. “And that I am really proud of Valerie with her amazing performance at the Virginia meet.”

• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@juneauempire.com.

More in Sports

The Wet Bandits’ Shannon Hendricks and the Nutcrackers’ Kyle Hebert play a ball during the opening night of the Holiday Cup soccer tournament at the Dimond Park Field House on Wednesday. The 32nd annual holiday tournament runs through Dec. 31. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Pure Sole: Mistletoe or turf toe

Forget the mistletoe. I fear it may be turf toe that tickles… Continue reading

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls basketball team pose at The Orleans Hotel upon their arrival in Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)
Crimson Bears girls win season opener at Tarkanian Classic

JDHS among 48 girls’ teams playing in prestigious Las Vegas tournament.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys basketball team pose upon their arrival in Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)1
Crimson Bears boys fall in Las Vegas tournament opener

JDHS playing among some of nation’s top high school teams.

Evening walks are great. Put a few pounds in a backpack and you’ll increase the health benefits of light exercise. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
I Went to the Woods: Numbers worth noting

Everything is being reduced to numbers which my math department friends down… Continue reading

The Holiday Cup has been a community favorite event for years. This 2014 photo shows the Jolly Saint Kicks and Reigning Snowballs players in action. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Holiday Cup soccer action brings community spirit to the pitch

Every Christmas name imaginable heads a cast of futbol characters starting Wednesday.

Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls and boys basketball teams pose above and below the new signage and plaque for the George Houston Gymnasium on Monday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
George Houston Gymnasium adds another touch of class

Second phase of renaming honor for former coach brings in more red.

A pygmy owl in the snow outside the doorstep of a Juneau home. (Photo by Denise Carroll)
On the Trails: Pygmy owls

This little owl was quite frequently detected in the trees at the… Continue reading

Smokin’ Old Geezers Jesse Stringer, Brandon Ivanowicz, Steve Ricci, Juan Orozco Jr., John Bursell and John Nagel at the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships on Saturday at University Place, Washington. (Photo courtesy S.O.G.)
Smokin’ Old Geezers compete at national club cross-country championships

Group of adult Juneau runners hope to inspire others to challenge themselves.

Hayden Aube and Ivan Shockley go head to head on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during the Region V wrestling tournament in Haines. Eleven Crimson Bears earned individual titles, 12 placed second meaning that 23 are headed to state in Anchorage next weekend. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)
Crimson Bears wrestlers snare Region V championship

11 earn individual titles, 12 place second, 23 head to state

Most Read