Riversharks Celebrate Season (04/14/15)
(By Maureen Lavan)
The Clarion County YMCA Riversharks swim team celebrated another successful season at its annual Team Spirit Day and awards banquet at the Limestone Fire Hall, March 1, 2015.
(All photos provided by The Riversharks) Team members
Over 55 members of the team and their families gathered for dinner, awards, and a slideshow of season highlights. Assistant Coaches Luke Simpson, Wade Reichelderfer, Derek Nelson and Shanna James used the event to acknowledge individual and team accomplishments.
In only their 2nd season, the Riversharks had numerous swimmers and relay teams regularly placing with 20 swimmers advancing to post-season competition.
“We had a really strong season. Our swimmers developed a very positive and encouraging atmosphere which everyone thrived in,” said first year Head Coac Samantha Van Dyke. “These swimmers worked hard all season, and the results definitely show it.”
Certificates and medals were presented to the following swimmers:
Most Enthusiastic – Nathaniel Lerch, Gavin Hoover
Best Listener – Lindsay Schmader, Kylan Clark, Brinley Kiskadden
Ages 15 & Over – Kyle Bettwy, Adam Bettwy
Best Technique – Maggie Snodgrass Most Energetic – Jacob Lott, Kaitlyn Zona, Victorio Troese
Best Sportsmanship – Marshall Powers, Clara Sieling
Most Positive – Jake Nowaczyk, Isaac Kim, Adia Needham
Most Determined – Brayden Murray, Alice Moll
Most Improved – Noah Hawkins, William Murray, Clara Gourley
Most Determined – Alayna Murray, Maya Wilshire, Mykenzie Cox, Gillian Lattimer, Jackson Fox
Most Persistent – Bethany Cater, Isabella Texter
Most Dedicated – Baillee Verdill, Beau Verdill
Ages 13 -14 – Paige Sherbine, Marshall Powers
Most Love of the Sport – Jocalyn Henry, Brianna Warner
Leadership Award – Lydia Seaton, Paige Sherbine, Kyle Bettwy
Fastest Learner– Rachel Smith, Jeno Moretti, Ryker Bingham, James Dittman
Most Versatile – Patrick Young, Isaac Wilson
Most Outspoken – Tyler Bingham, Dylan Switzer
Best Attitude – Zachary Dean, Grace Schmader, Delaney McNamara, Kira Bonanno
Most Curious – Jonas Wilshire, Callie Snodgrass, Hannah Smith
Most Courageous – Adam Bettwy
Best Best Friends – Alicyn Burford & Natalie Durish, Avery Faller & Acacia Felmlee
Best Effort – Gavyn Dunn, Elena Hull, Nicholas Schweitzer, Grace Troese
Sassiest Swimmer – Joyce Kim
Ages 11-12 – Alayna Murray, Nathaniel Lerch
Most Talented – Parker Boyden
Most Competitive – Jacob Hull
Most Likely to Stick with It – Sarah Zona
Most Competitive – Evelyn Lerch
Rookie of the Year – Halee Dittman, Jozee Weaver, Not pictured: Joey Spence
Trophies were awarded to swimmers with the highest point totals for the season:
Ages 8 & Under – Jake Nowaczyk, Wyatt Boyden, Kylan Clark
Ages 9-10 – Patrick Young, Parker Boyden
Ages 11-12 – Alayna Murray, Nathaniel Lerch
Ages 13 -14 – Paige Sherbine, Marshall Powers
Ages 15 & Over – Kyle Bettwy, Adam Bettwy
Twenty swimmers received trophies for advancing to the PA West Districts Swim meet:
Adam Bettwy, Kyle Bettwy, Parker Boyden, Mason Burns, Bethany Cater, Joyce Kim, Evelyn Lerch, Nathaniel Lerch, Alayna Murray, Brayden Murray, Marshall Powers, Grace Schmader, Lydia Seaton, Crowe Thiem, Bailee Verdill, Beau Verdill, Jozee Weaver, Isaac Wilson, Patrick Young, and Brianna Warner.
Ages 8 & Under – Jake Nowaczyk, Wyatt Boyden, Kylan Clark
Swimmers acknowledged the help and advice of their coaches by presenting them with signed photographs of the team.
The Riversharks are already looking forward to next season and will be participating in clinics and camps over the summer to improve their technique and times. All signs are pointing to a great future for the Riversharks!
The Clarion YMCA Riversharks are a community-based swim team that emphasizes individual growth as part of a team. Boys and girls ages 5 through 18 are eligible to join. Team members come from throughout Clarion County. For more information contact the Clarion County YMCA at 814-764-3400 or find the Riversharks on the web at http://www.clarioncountyymca.org/river-sharks-home .
(Thanks to Maureen Lavan for this article. Great Season, Riversharks!!!!)