Will Rogers Places First at Nationals

Five Will Rogers Junior Life Guards participated in the United States Lifesaving Association Championships held August 9, 10 and 11 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. More than 500 youth from beaches around the country, including Hawaii and Chicago, participated in the swim, run and paddling events, with Pacific Palisades’ guards ranking at the top. Benjamin Lewenstein, an A-guard (14- to 16-year-olds) was first in Iron Guard, a triathlon-type event that involves swimming, running and paddling. He also placed second in the paddle. He was paired with another L.A. County guard from Redondo Beach for the rescue race in which one person plays the victim and the second does the rescue. The two placed second in that event. Lewenstein also took sixth in both the swim and the run-swim-run. Sister Lila Lewenstein was part of L.A. County’s five-person B-swim relay team that took first in the nation in the 12- and 13-year-old age group. Three Will Rogers C-guards (9- to 11-year-olds) tore up the waters. Tristan Marsh was first in the swim and the Iron Guard and took third in the run-swim-run. Sister Tiana placed second in the swim and with Tristan, Alexander Landau and two other L.A. Country Lifeguards took second in the swim relay. Landau also placed third in the Iron Guard. ‘L.A. County probably had one of the smallest representations,’ said parent Karen Kornreich, ‘but overall we did really well. I think it is because the kids get such instruction here.’ Her daughter Lila observed that the kids from Chicago had trouble with the ocean waves, probably because they were accustomed to training in a lake. Lewenstein will be a sophomore at New Roads School in Santa Monica. Lila will be a seventh grader at Paul Revere Charter Middle School, where Tristan will be entering sixth grade. Tiana attends Kenter Canyon and Landau is at St. Matthew’s. Kornreich had nothing but praise for Will Rogers A-instructor Eldin Onsgard, who competed in the adult guard events and helped inspire the Will Rogers guards. Charlotte Graham, who heads the Junior Guard program, also competed in addition to lending support to L.A. County’s competitors. Caption: Ben Lewenstein runs to a first place finish in the Iron Guard event at Junior Lifeguard Nationals held in South Carolina.