Four Swimmers Place At Dubois Pentathlon (11/06/14)

(By Michelle Murray)

Nine Members of the Clarion County YMCA Riversharks Swim Team recently competed in the 5th Annual Dubois Pentathlon. The event was held at the DuBois Area High School on November 1, 2014.

(Photo submitted by Michelle Murray) Alayna Murray, Parker Boyden, Beau Verdill and Braden Murray

Parker Boyden, 10, had an exceptional meet, winning 2nd place overall in the 9-10 girls division. Boyden also made a district time in the 50 yard butterfly.

Brayden Murray, 9, earned 6th place overall in the 9-10 boys division.

Alayna Murray, 12, ranked 6th place overall in the 11-12 girls division. Murray had district qualifying times in the 50 yard butterfly and the 50 yard breaststroke.

Beau Verdill, 11, won 6th place for the 11-12 boys.

The pentathlon format calls for each swimmer to swim five events – butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle, plus an individual medley (IM) combining all strokes in one event. The lowest combined times in each category are placed in the top six and awarded medals and ribbons.

Several other Riversharks competed in the meet. Patrick Young (9) earned a 7th place finish, Bailee Verdill (9) claimed 8th place, Evelyn Bliss (9) ranked in 9th place, Grace Schmader (10) came in 13th place, and Bethany Cater (12) swam to a 27th place finish.

The Clarion County YMCA Riversharks are in their second season at Clarion University’s Tippin Natatorium. In their first season, the team sent eleven swimmers to the districts meet at Youngstown State and two on to States at Penn State’s McCoy Natatorium. Samantha Van Dyke is the head coach for the Clarion Riversharks. The team has over 70 swimmers ranging in age from 6-18.

(Thanks to Michelle Murray for the article. Congratulations Riversharks!!!!)