TYR: Age group swimmers of the month

Swimming World and Junior Swimmer, Jun 1999

Alessandra Basso Age 11, Houston Elite Aquatic Team, Houston, TX

Alessandra Basso began swimming for a neighborhood summer league team when she was 6. She qualified that summer for an area all-star meet, earning the high-point award for 6-and-under girls, and has come a very long way since then.

She moved up to the state level when she was 9 and competed in the 1997 short course championships. Alessandra finaled in four events at that meet.

In the summer of 1997, the Houston (Texas) Elite Aquatic Team member finaled in five of seven events at the long course state championships. She was part of a 200 meter free relay which set a state record and placed second in the nation in the 1997 long course NAG rankings.

Alessandra placed first in two events and second in five others at the short course state championships in the spring of 1998. She made the NAG short course ranking list in the 100 yard IM (1:07.29, sixth), 50 breast (34.14, seventh), 100 breast (1:14.45, ninth) and 50 back (31.18, 13th).

She culminated her 10-and-under career at the long course state meet. Alessandra was voted the most outstanding female swimmer of the meet and captured the 10-and-under high-point award. She won the 50 meter breast (38.51, fifth in NAG), 50 free (29.91, fourth in NAG), 50 back (35.34, sixth in NAG), 50 fly (33.37, tie for 15th in NAG), 100 back (1:17.58, 11th in NAG), 100 breast (1:23.15, third in NAG) and 200 IM (2:42.90, sixth in NAG).

Mark Dyalla Age 10, ACES Swim Club, Englewood, CO

Mark Dylla, who has been competing in the 9-10 age group as a member of the ACES Swim Club in Englewood, Colo., has made an impact on Colorado swimming this past year. Mark started to show promise at the 1997 Colorado 8-and-under Championships, where he captured the Outstanding Male Swimmer award.

In January of this year, Mark was selected to compete on the Colorado All-Star team, competing against swimmers from six surrounding states. He set five team records (100 yard back, 50-100-200 free and 100 fly) and earned the high-point award for his age group.

A month later, the ACES team traveled to Tempe, Ariz., to compete in the Lost Dutchman Invitational. Mark qualified in four events for NAG consideration (50 yard back, 31.62; 100 free, 59.33; 50 fly, 30.11; I00 fly, 1:06.50) and set nine career best times.

Mark had two very good meets in March. He won the high-point award at the Colorado State Short Course Junior Olympics with eight out of nine first-place finishes, and helped lead his team to a first-place team championship. Then, at the Far Western Championships in Pleasanton, Calif., he finished first in the 100 yard fly (1:04.91), 50 fly (29.43) and 100 free (59.59). He also placed second in the 50 free (27.54).

With the help of his coach, Chuck Golz, Mark is learning to become an all-around swimmer, and he's looking forward to this long course season.