YMCA’s Riversharks Make Splash At District Championships (03/18/15)

(By Maureen Lavan)

The Clarion County YMCA Riversharks have strong individual talent and solid relays. In only their second year, the team had 20 swimmers compete in the YMCA PA Western District Championships, March 6 to 8 at Penn State’s McCoy Natatorium. Getting to the districts is no easy task, which makes the large group of talent especially sweet for the Riversharks.

Nathaniel Lerch in the 50 Breaststroke

Nathaniel Lerch in the 50 Breaststroke

“To have this many swimmers qualify for districts in both individual and relay events is a great sign for the future of our swim team”, said Jesse Kelley, Clarion County YMCA Director. “All the Riversharks should be proud of their accomplishments this year,” he added.

To qualify for Districts, swimmers or relay teams needed to reach certain times set for each event. As a testament of their hard work, most of the Rivershark qualifiers swam in multiple events.

Girls 10 & Under Freestyle Relay Team:  Evelyn Lerch, Joyce Kim, Jozee Weaver & Grace Schmader

Girls 10 & Under Freestyle Relay Team: Evelyn Lerch, Joyce Kim, Jozee Weaver & Grace Schmader

Hundreds of swimmers from 33 teams competed at the 2015 PA Western District Championships. For some swimmers, this was their first experience at Districts. The top 6 finishers in each race advanced to the state championships.

The Riversharks are thrilled to have 3 swimmers moving on to compete in the Pennsylvania YMCA State Swimming Championships! Isaac Wilson (16) qualified in the 200 yard Individual Medley and the 500 yard Freestyle. Parker Boyden (10) will be in the 50 yard Freestyle and the 100 yard Freestyle. And Evelyn Lerch (10) held off most of the competitors in the 10 & Under 50 yard Breaststroke, taking third overall which also gets her a spot at States.

The swimmers representing the Riversharks in 39 individual events were:
Ages 13 & Over
Mason Burns (14) in the 200 & 400 Individual Medley and 200 Breast stroke
Marshall Powers (14) in the 50 & 100 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke
Isaac Wilson (16) in 500 Free, 100 Backstroke and 200 Individual Medley

(Photos provided by Riversharks) Mason Burns in the 400 Individual Medley

(Photos provided by Riversharks) Mason Burns in the 400 Individual Medley

Ages 11-12
Nathaniel Lerch (12) in the 50 & 100 Freestyle and the 50 Breaststroke
Alayna Murray in the 50 & 100 Breaststroke and the 50 Butterfly
Lydia Seaton (12) in the 50 & 200 Freestyle
Beau Verdill (11) in the 100 & 200 Freestyle and the 50 Breaststroke

 

 

Ages 10 & Under
Parker Boyden (10) in the 50 & 100 Freestyle and the 100 Individual Medley
Joyce Kim (10) in the 100 Freestyle
Evelyn Lerch (10) in the 50 & 100 Breaststroke
Brayden Murray (9) in the 50 Freestyle, 50 Backstroke and the 50 Breaststroke
Grace Schmader (10) in the 50 & 100 Freestyle
Bailee Verdill (9) in the 50 & 100 Freestyle
Jozee Weaver (10) in 50 & 100 Freestyle and 50 Butterfly
Patrick Young (9) in the 100 & 200 Freestyle and 50 Butterfly

Isaac Wilson in the 200 Individual Medley

Isaac Wilson in the 200 Individual Medley

The Riversharks also competed in 4 relay events:
Women
11-12 200 yard Medley Relay: Alayna Murray, Bethany Cater, Lydia Seaton and Brianna Warner
10 & Under 200 yard Freestyle Relay: Evelyn Lerch, Joyce Kim, Grace Schmader, and Jozee Weaver
10 & Under 200 yard Medley Relay: Evelyn Lerch, Joyce Kim, Grace Schmader and Parker Boyden

Men
15 & Over 200 yard Freestyle Relay: Crowe Thiem, Isaac Wilson, Adam Bettwy and Kyle Bettwy

Brayden Murray in the 50 yard Backstroke

Brayden Murray in the 50 yard Backstroke

(Thanks to Maureen Lavan for this article and photos. Great Job, Riversharks!!!!)