Maia Cunningham, a 12-year-old Vashon swimmer, will represent the Vashon Seals Swim Team at the upcoming Northwest Region Age Group Championships. She is the first Seal to ever quality for the regional championships.

At the recent February Age Group Invitational, Maia improved by .80 seconds in the 50-yard backstroke, posting a personal best of 31.19. This easily bested the qualifying standard of 31.69.

At the championships later this month, Maia will join the top 14-and-under swimmers from seven states — Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska and Hawaii — to compete at the King County Aquatic Center.

Maia is the 46th 12-year-old girl to qualify in her event, and is currently seeded number 27. She has improved more than 2.5 seconds in the 50-yard backstroke since October to reach her goal.

— Randy Turner is a Vashon Seals coach.