Clarion County YMCA Riversharks Have Strong Showing At District Competition At YSU, Wilson And Lerch Advance To States (03/11/14)

(By Matt Lerch)

The Clarion County YMCA is proud to announce The Riversharks swim team performed brilliantly at the 2014 PA Western District Championships at Youngstown State University’s 8 lane, 50 meter pool March 7th, 8th and 9th.

There were 33 Western Pennsylvania YMCA teams competing for the top 12 podium places, with the top 6 automatically qualifying for States. The brand new Clarion team took on more established and larger team powerhouses such as Mon Valley, Greensburg, Butler and Sewickley. Over 1,000 swimmers competed during the 3 day event.

All 11 Riversharks performed admirably at the meet. They swam countless laps, many times 4 days a week, since November to reach this goal. Thanks to the relationship between the Clarion County YMCA and Clarion University, the 65 swimmers who made up the team during its first year sent its elite swimmers into the midst of a thousand seasoned swimmers competing for the top spots.

Two swimmers from the Riversharks’ eleven have advanced to state competition. Isaac Wilson from North Clarion High School will be competing in the 100 backstroke. Evelyn Lerch from Clarion Area Elementary School will swim in the 50 breaststroke. Wilson and Lerch will be proud to represent Clarion County YMCA at Penn State University’s McCoy Natatorium March 22nd and 23rd.

The following athletes are the eleven Riversharks with their race placement.

Girls

Parker Boyden (9)
Clarion Elementary School
Female 10 and under
50 freestyle–36th, 50 backstroke – 29th, 100 freestyle – 27th

Evelyn Lerch (9)
Clarion Elementary School
Previous District Qualifier
Female 10 and under
50 breaststroke – 5th, 100 breaststroke – 10th

Bethany Cater (11)
Keystone Elementary School
Female 11-12
200 freestyle relay A – 23rd

Kristy Juart (11)
Brookville Elementary School
Female 11-12
200 freestyle – 17th, 50 backstroke – 11th, 100 backstroke – 10th, 200 freestyle relay A – 23rd

Alayna Murray (11)
Clarion Limestone Elementary School
Previous District Qualifier
Female 11-12
50 breaststroke – 18th, 100 breaststroke – 12th, 200 Individual Medley – 19th, 200 freestyle relay A – 23rd

Lydia Seaton (11)
A-C  Valley Elementary School
Previous District Qualifer
200 freestyle relay A – 23rd

Boys

Beau Verdill (10)
Clarion Elementary School
50 freestyle – 23rd, 50 breaststroke – 15th, 100 freestyle – 20th

Tanner Kerle (12)
Keystone High School
Previous District Qualifier
50 freestyle – 15th, 50 breaststroke – 16th, 100 freestyle – 28th

Mason Burns (13)
Keystone High School
Previous District Qualifier
100 breaststroke – 13th

Marshall Powers (13)
Clarion High School
Previous District Qualifier
50 freestyle – 23rd

Isaac Wilson (15)
North Clarion High School
Previous District Qualifier
Previous State Qualifier
500 freestyle – 8th, 100 backstroke – 7th, 200 Individual Medley – 11th

(Thanks to Matt Lerch for this article. Congratulations Evelyn and Isaac on advancing to States, and to the others who made it to the District Meet!!!!)