The winter season tends to slow down a triathlete's training schedule in the Pacific Northwest.

For Todd Risk it has been difficult to log miles on his bicycle, but the time he can't be outside he makes up for in the swimming pool. His training paid off as he won two individual events and was part of a winning relay team in the 2012 Joint Base Lewis-McChord Swimming Championships at Soldier's Field House Jan. 31.

Risk's efforts assisted in the 4th Airlift Squadron winning 16 of 25 events to repeat as installation champions.

"We're a C-17 flying squadron," the team captain said. "We have guys who swam for the academy and we have other guys who swam at the state level for high school."

The 593rd Sustainment Brigade finished runner-up while HHB, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery finished third. Despite missing two swimmers from its roster, the 4th AS dominated the field. With the date of the championships pushed back a week due to the snow and ice storm in January, two swimmers were unable to compete due to their flight missions.

Katherine Shroyer of 4th AS led the females with four first-place individual finishes as well as two first-place relay finishes. Shroyer's husband was one of the two swimmers flying in Germany. Shroyer won the 100-meter individual medley, 100-meter freestyle, 200-meter individual medley and the 50-meter freestyle to repeat as overall top female swimmer.

"It's fun to come out here and cheer for everybody and see people who just started swimming," Shroyer said. "It's not about winning or losing, everyone is out just having a good time."

Eric Santroch of 4th AS won three individual events and was part of the two relays to win the overall top male swimmer title.

While some events required two heats, others had just one or two swimmers competing. Jane Elzeffany of 4th AS was the lone female competitor in the 500-meter freestyle. As she prepared to begin her 20-lap swim she said to the crowd, "Go to dinner and come back when I'm done."

Elzeffany finished in 9 minutes, 15.15 seconds.

The swim of the night was the men's 50-meter freestyle. Gary May of HHB, 2-17 FA finished first in the first heat in 29.08. Andrew Biondi of 593rd finished first in the second heat with a time of 29.16, finishing just .08 seconds behind May. May also won the men's 100-meter freestyle.

While some competitors were competitive athletes and triathletes, others were recreational swimmers.

"We don't train as a team," Risk said. "Most of the people don't even train. It's just digging down deep." Swimmers competed through adversity as multiple times goggles fell down to chins upon diving entry. Unfortunately for Duane Adams of HHB, 2-17 FA, when his goggles fell down, his contacts fell out during the 100-meter freestyle. But he continued to compete and helped his team finish second in the 200-meter freestyle relay.

Yasuko Conyer won two individual events and Risa Chambers won one event for Team Japan.

Despite having to switch the date of the event the swim meet director, Bruce Antonowicz, was still pleased with how the championships went.

"The meet ran much smoother than last year," he said. "We had a technical glitch learning the system and this year we had it all figured out ... As long as it goes smoothly and everyone has a good time, that's my goal."

PHOTO: Steven Hanson swims to victory in the men’s 200 individual medley during the recent JBLM Company Swimming Championship. For swimming meet results, see Page B2. Photos by Scott Hansen