As the calendar turns to June, it is time for the annual Sedona Splash. Last year, 18 pool records fell during the Sedona Swordfish club swimming team’s annual summer swim meet at the Sedona Community Pool on June 15.

Up next for the Swordfish is the 2019 edition of their annual Sedona Splash swim meet on Saturday, June 15.

“It is going to be a lot of work from myself and the parents but the kids are very much looking forward to it,” Swordfish coach Daniel Morse said. “It is the first meet for a lot of our kids so they do not know what to expect but I know they are excited.”

“We are trying to have every local kid who is available attend this meet so we are hoping for a solid turnout.”

Andrew Tate accumulated 90 points last June, good for first in the combined individual rankings for boys and girls aged 15 to 18.

Emma Warner, of the Cottonwood Clippers, finished second with 88 points and was the girls high-point winner.

Sedona Splash is geared towards the younger and novice-level swimmers as opposed to the area’s hardcore swimmers.

“Some of our older kids will still swim because we are hosting it but they have an opportunity to rest up,” Morse said. “Normally, Andrew, Emma and Carlos Latanzi have to partake in intense, competitive meets but this meet gives them an opportunity to have fun and just race.”

Morse hopes Sedona Splash gets more local swimmers hooked on the sport.

“The older kids are there to race but their biggest task is mentoring our newer swimmers that day,” Morse said. “Our younger swimmers are the future and have some great role-models to look up to.”

While the older swimmers have been hard at work lowering their times, they have also helped get the younger swimmers up to speed.

“We did some relays with our oldest group and intermediate group and the newer swimmers had a lot of fun,” Morse said. “Andrew, Emma and the rest of the older kids did a great job at involving them and making them feel like a part of the time.”

Once a week, Morse tries to have the two groups compete together to improve team morale.

“When you are 11 or 12 years old, you are probably somewhat nervous when you perform around the older kids,” Morse said. “It has definitely helped improve their confidence.”

Last year, over 200 kids participated in Sedona Splash.

“If we can hit that number or perhaps top it, that would be monumental for us,” Morse said. “ Also, having a good environment on the deck is important because it is a rec meet instead of a USA sanctioned event.”

The event is expected to last four hours on both days.

“We are hoping to have a fun positive environment for the kids and a stress-free event for families,” Morse said.

To Morse, success as a swimmer comes down to desire.

“Work ethic has to be number one along with taking a smart approach to your training,” Morse said. “There are times in practice where you are exhausted and mentally fatigued but the great ones remained focused on the task at hand.”

Teamwork is also key to swimming at a high level.

“Swimming is an individual sport so you must possess the motivation to succeed but also show support to your teammates,” Morse said. “Bad days happen but it is nice having teammates that can lift you up.”

Up next for the rec team is the Verde Valley Invitational on Saturday, July 20, hosted by the Cottonwood Clippers.

“That meet is our end of summer championship meet for our pre-competitive group,” Morse said.

The meet is held at the Cottonwood Recreational Outdoor Pool.