Coach’s heart warmed as youngster swims solo in Dolphins’ finale
RICHMOND – Lincoln Ruggles’ two victories in the Dolphin Swim Team’s July 17 meet at Southview Pool mattered less to Dolphins coach Angie Pencook than the progress the youngster showed in winning one of them.
In winning the 6-and-under 25-meter backstroke in 1 minute, 53.43 seconds, Ruggles swam the race on his own – his first time this season to do so, Pencook said. The first time he raced in the backstroke, she had to hold Ruggles, who started crying when he entered the pool, she said. She walked alongside him when he competed in it the second time, she said.
“That’s a big deal as a coach – to have that relationship and that trust with a kid, especially a 5-year-old,” Pencook said.
Ruggles also swam the 25 freestyle in 51.93. By winning both events, he helped the Dolphins win 22 individual events and claim their final meet this summer with 487 points – 301 points ahead of runner-up Carrollton and 349 points ahead of third-place Marshall.
Ruggles joined five other Dolphins who…