Riversharks Cap Off Regular Season At CenKey Championships (02/28/15)

(By Maureen Lavan)

The Clarion County YMCA Riversharks swim team had an exciting conclusion to their regular season February 21st & 22nd when 30 of their swimmers competed in the Cenkey YMCA Swim League Championships at the Clearfield YMCA.

(Photos provided by Clarion County YMCA Riversharks) Isaac Wilson

Two days of intense swimming produced several top three finishers for the Riversharks, with many more earning medals (4th to 6th place) and ribbons (7th to 12th place). Up against swimmers from 11 other teams, numerous Riversharks had their fastest swims of the season with several more individuals and relay teams qualifying for Districts.

Ages 13 & Over
Isaac Wilson led the men, placing 2nd in both the 200 yard Individual Medley and the 500 yard Freestyle.

With another strong showing, Mason Burns captured 3rd place in the 200 yard Backstroke and the 200 yard Breaststroke.

Riversharks competing in this age group receiving medals or ribbons: Paige Sherbine, Crowe Thiem, Marshall Powers, Kyle Bettwy, Mason Burns and Isaac Wilson.

Ages 11-12
The big news in this age group was the women’s 200 Medley Relay team of Bethany Cater, Alayna Murray, Lydia Seaton and Brianna Warner qualifying for Districts with a time of 2:23.78, beating the cut time by more than 2 seconds.

Riversharks receiving medals or ribbons in this age group were: Beau Verdill, Lydia Seaton, Nathaniel Lerch and Alayna Murray.

Bethany Cater, Alayna Murray, Lydia Seaton, Brianna Warner (11-12 Girls Relay)

Ages 10 & Under
There were some impressive finishes in the youngest age group, most notably two of the women’s relay teams. In the last entry of the meet for the Riversharks, the women’s 9-10 200 yd Freestyle Relay team of Grace Schmader, Kim Joyce, Jozee Weaver and Evelyn Lerch held off 9 other teams taking first with a time of 2:20.52.

Schmader, Kim, Lerch and teammate Parker Boyden snagged 3rd in the women’s 9-10 200 yard Medley Relay, less than a second behind the Lock Haven team, who took first. Both Clarion relay teams will continue on to compete at Districts.

In individual events, the Riversharks had two swimmers cracking the top spots in the men’s 9-10 200 yard Freestyle as Patrick Young won first place and Bailee Verdill swam to third. Brayden Murray earned third place in the men’s 9-10 100 yard Breaststroke.

Evelyn Lerch, Joyce Kim, Grace Schmader, Parker Boyden (9-10 Girls Medley Relay)

Second seeded Evelyn Lerch blew past the competition taking first in both the 50 yard Breaststroke and the 100 yard Breaststroke. Not to be outdone, Parker Boyden swam fast and earned a first place finish in the 100 yard Freestyle and a second in the 50 yard Butterfly.

Riversharks in this age group receiving medals or ribbons were: Grace Schmader, Natalie Durish, Wyatt Boyden, Joyce Kim, Jake Nowaczyk, Brayden Murray, Evelyn Lerch, Parker Boyden, Jozee Weaver, Patrick Young, Isabella Texter, Jocalyn Henry and Bailee Verdill.

Congratulations to all swimmers for another great Riversharks season!

Brayden Murray, Patrick Young, Bailee Verdill

In only their second season, hard work is paying off with 20 Riversharks continuing in post-season competition, training for Districts to be held March 6-8 at McCoy Natatorium on Penn State’s campus.

(Thanks to Maureen LaVan for this article. Great Job Riversharks!!!!)