Unattached swimmer Eric Kemper solid in Federal Way

FEDERAL WAY — Eric Kemper, 14-year-old unattached USA swimmer, competed in the 41st Annual Washington Open swim meet held in Federal Way.

There were over 1000 athletes participating at the meet. This is a very elite meet with required qualifying times. This meet is primarily designed for 15 year olds and up.

Kemper swam nine events total in this meet and dropped time in all nine of those events.

Kemper started the meet with his 200 individual medley. He dropped almost a full second for a best time of 2:07.61. Kemper also dropped almost a full second in his 50 freestyle for a best time of 24.73 seconds.

Kemper continued that momentum for an incredible seven-second drop in the 500 freestyle for a best time of 5:07.99.

Kemper continued to excel with a half-second drop in the 100 butterfly for a best time of 55.53 seconds. More, Kemper dropped over three secs in the 200 freestyle for a best time of 1:54.62. In the 100 breaststroke, Kemper dropped a little more time for a best time of 1:10.89.

On the third day of the meet, Kemper started his day with the 200 backstroke, dropping almost a full second for a best time of 2:09.89. He dropped half a second in the 100 freestyle for a best time of 52.91 seconds.

Kemper concluded the meet with his favorite event: the 200 butterfly. He dropped two seconds for a best time of 2:01.95, and placed 49th out of the 186 swimmers that participated in the 200 butterfly.

While Kemper continues with the Moses Lake swim team, he will also prepare for his next USA meet, the Winter Open, which will be held at the Moses Lake High School pool at the end of the month.