Photos submitted — Arcata’s Kieran McNulty was one of several HSC swimmers to enjoy a successful summer in the pool.

By HumboldtSports.com — Arcata’s Kieran McNulty is one of three Humboldt Swim Club members to close out the summer season with a big performance in recent weeks, and in the process qualified for the upcoming Junior Nationals at the University of Texas.

McNulty, who represented Arcata High in the North Coast Sections this past spring, placed 16th in the 800 meter freestyle event at the USA Swimming Futures meet in Santa Clara earlier this month, timing a PR of 8 minutes, 33.70 seconds.

“Kieran had a really good meet,” club coach John Pearce said of the Arcata junior. “He had personal best times in all three of his events.”

McNulty also placed 14th in the 400 meter freestyle, barely missing out on a second Junior Nationals qualification.

Kieran McNulty competing in Santa Clara earlier this month.

In addition, he placed 42nd in the 100 fly with a time of 58.18 seconds, although the improvements in his times were no surprise to his coach.

“He’s really invested in the process and doing the work,” Pearce said. “And he’s got a really good attitude when it comes to racing. He knows how to look at a race and what it takes to break it down. He’s very coachable and he really does have a strong work ethic.”

The Junior Nationals will be held in early December.

Also closing out the summer season strong for the HSC were 12-year-olds Sadie Breen and Emma Martin.

Both swimmers were on hand at the USA Swimming Far Western Championships in Moraga in late July, a meet featuring more than 1,100 competitors from 120 teams throughout the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The duo combined to set three club records — the 100 and 200 breast by Breen and the 800 free by Martin — leading the HSC to a 57th place team finish.

Martin, who was making her first appearance at the prestigious meet, also placed fifth in the mile.

For Breen, the appearance at the meet was her second.

“They both have had significant improvements across the board this year,” Pearce said. “And both are exceptionally hard workers.”

Another HSC swimmer, Oh Seung Kwon, also closed out the summer with a strong performance at the recent Ukiah Soroptimist Meet, taking four first places and a pair of seconds in the boys 17-18 bracket.

“He won four events and dropped times in most of his events,” Pearce said of Kwon, who posted impressive enough marks to qualify for next year’s USA Swimming Senior 2s championship.

Miles Johnson also placed first in the boys 15-16 200 free at Ukiah, as well as taking six seconds, while Emily Nalley took three firsts, a pair of seconds and a third place in the girls 13-14 bracket.

In the same age group, Sydney Trieu placed first in the 1,650 free, as well as taking two second places, while Martin had two firsts and three seconds in the girls 11-12 bracket.

Breen also had three firsts and two seconds, and Rogue Russell took two seconds and a third.

In the 13-14 boys age group, Tyler Alarcon and Keenan Riggs-Turpin each had a pair of second-place finishes, while Andrew Trieu had an impressive seven first-place finishes in the boys 11-12 bracket.

In the same bracket, Sean Coontz and Bryson Meyer each also medaled.

Next up for the Humboldt Swim Club is a trip to Fort Brag for a short course meet in early November.