Casey Grant, 16, of North Attleboro

Kyle Vieira, 17, of Wrentham; Casey Grant, 16, of North Attleboro; and Owen Wright, 15, of Attleboro were among 34 Bluefish Swim Club members to qualify for and compete at the 2011 New England Swimming Senior Championship meet, which took place at Boston University, December 15-80. Several hundred of New England’s top 13 and older swimmers competed at this meet. The Bluefish Swim Club ranked first place overall with 2,389 points. 

• Kyle Vieira earned 109 points for the Bluefish. He ranked eleventh place in the Male 1,650-yard freestyle (16:20.72), twelfth place in the 200-yard fly (1:56.28) and 1,000-yard freestyle (9:43.61), and fourteenth place in the 200-yard freestyle (1:45.02) and 500-yard freestyle (4:41.62). He also competed in the 100-yard fly, and 200-yard and 400-yard IM. In addition, Kyle was the anchor in the Male Bluefish team that ranked second place in the 800-yard freestyle relay (6:57.85) and the lead in the team that ranked eleventh in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:17.72).
• Casey Grant earned 91 points for the Bluefish. He placed sixth in the Male 1,650-yard freestyle (16:07.40), ninth in the 500-yard freestyle (4:42.96), and tenth in the 1,000-yard freestyle (9:37.91). Grant also competed in the 50-yard, 100-yard, and 200-yard freestyle; and 200 and 400 IM. In addition, Grant was a key member of the Male Bluefish team that ranked second place in the 800-yard freestyle relay (6:57.85), and the anchor in the teams that ranked seventh place in the 400-yard medley relay (3:34.05) and eleventh place in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:17.72).
• Owen Wright earned 51 points for the Bluefish. He placed seventeenth in the Male 100-yard fly (53.47) and twentieth in the 400-yard IM (4:15.16). He also competed in the 50-yard, 100-yard, 200-yard, 500-yard, and 1,650-yard freestyle; and 200-yard IM and fly. Owen was also a key member of the Male Bluefish teams that ranked second place in the 400-yard medley relay (3:29.75), seventh place in the 800-yard freestyle relay (7:11.39), and eleventh place in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:17.72).

The Bluefish Swim Club is a USA Swimming member and a participant in New England Swimming. No matter the swimmer’s age or ability, whether it be competing on its winning 200-member competitive swim team; participating in structured swim lessons for youngsters just learning to swim; or continuing a passion for swimming in the adult Master’s program, the Bluefish Swim Club offers the right program for everyone at its Attleboro High School, Attleboro, MA; Wheaton College, Norton, MA; Cumberland High School, Cumberland, RI; and Raynham Athletic Club, Raynham, MA locations.

The Bluefish started in the 1970s. Since owners Chuck and Christie Batchelor bought the Bluefish in 2005, the team is frequently making national and international news. During his extensive coaching career, Chuck has trained more than 36 Olympic Trial qualifiers, more than 50 National qualifiers, 2008 Olympian Elizabeth Beisel, and nine swimmers who ranked in the top 100 in the world. He was the Head Women’s Coach for the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico in October 2011; Assistant Women’s Coach for the 2010 Mutual of Omaha Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, CA in August 2010; the Head Women’s Coach at the USA Swimming Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Guam in January 2009; and the Assistant Women’s Coach at the 2009 USA Swimming FINA World Championships in Rome. Christie Batchelor is well-known in the swimming world as well and was named the 2010 New England Swimming Age Group Coach of the Year. The Bluefish Swim Club was granted the highest standard, Level 4, in USA Swimming’s Club Recognition Program. Only one other New England swim team has ever achieved this Level 4 standard. In addition, in 2009 and 2010, USA Swimming’s Club Excellence Program granted the Bluefish Swim Club Gold Medal status, ranking them the seventh highest-scoring team in the country.

The Bluefish Swim Club is a non-profit organization. To make a donation or for additional information about the Bluefish Swim Club, go to: www.bluefishswimclub.com.