Clarion County Riversharks on Podium Spots at States

Photos by Wendy Snodgrass

(Article by Dan Clark)

Morgantown, WV – The Clarion County YMCA Riversharks sent six swimmers to the 2025 Pennsylvania YMCA State Championships in The Aquatic Center at Mylan Park March 21-23. This State Team, comprised of Dylan Space, Maggie Snodgrass, Callie Snodgrass, Lila Gourley, Megan Fenske, and Ashlyn Clark, qualified for this competition by being among the top six individual finishers or top four relays from each YMCA swimming district (west, central, and east) along with selected next fastest swimmers of each event across the state.

This meet had a preliminary/finals championship format for the individual events of the 11 and older age groups where the top swimmers from the preliminary heats of twenty four swimmers competed in a finals heat to award medals for 1st through 8th place among best swimmers from across the entire state. Relay events and the individual events for the 10 and under age groups were conducted under a timed finals format where the top eight finishers across all heats were awarded medals.

Callie Snodgrass (15 & Over Girls) was on the podium four times over the weekend. Her performance in the 100 yard butterfly gave her the best place finish for any Rivershark over the weekend where she placed 3rd and achieved a qualifying time for the 2025 YMCA Short Course National Swimming Championship. Callie also earned a spot on the podium in the 200 yard butterfly where she secured an 8th place finish.

In addition, Callie teamed up with Maggie Snodgrass, Megan Fenske, and Lila Gourley on medal-winning relays. They earned 5th place in their 200 yard medley relay and earned 8th place in their 400 yard freestyle relay.

In addition to the two relay efforts, Maggie Snodgrass (15 & Over Girls) was also on the podium once again for her 5th place finish in the 200 yard breaststroke.

Ashlyn Clark (13-14 Girls) reached the podium in three individual events by placing 7th for her performances in the 100 yard butterfly, 50 yard freestyle, and 100 yard freestyle events.

In addition to being recognized among the fastest YMCA age group swimmers across Pennsylvania, this State Team also achieved new personal best and Clarion Rivershark club record times in many of their events.

With the completion of States, most of the Riversharks have concluded their season but both Callie Snodgrass and Maggie Snodgrass will be representing the Clarion County YMCA at the 2025 YMCA Short Course National Swimming Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Shown below is a detailed summary of results for the Riversharks competitors:

Boys 10 & Under
Dylan Space: 100 yard Breaststroke (1:35.57, 22nd place).

Girls 13-14
Ashlyn Clark: 100 yard Breaststroke (prelims 1:13:85, 20th place); 100 yard Butterfly (prelims 1:01.98; finals, 1:01.71, 7th place); 50 yard Freestyle (prelims 25.11; finals 25.20, 7th place); 100 yard Freestyle (prelims 56.19; finals 55.60 7th place).

Girls 15 & Up
Callie Snodgrass: 100 yard Butterfly (prelims 59.51; finals 58.79, 3rd place); 200 yard Butterfly (prelims 2:17.51; finals 2:18.22, 8th place); 100 yard Backstroke (prelims 1:01.48, 12th place).
Maggie Snodgrass: 100 yard Breaststroke (prelims 1:09.72, 10th place); 200 yard Breaststroke (prelims 2:32.33; finals 2:29.58, 5th place); 400 yard Individual Medley (prelims 5:03.03 13th place).

200 Free Relay: M. Snodgrass, M. Fenske, C. Snodgrass, and Gourley (1:43.01, 9th place).
400 Free Relay: M. Snodgrass, M. Fenske, C. Snodgrass, and Gourley (3:45.83, 8th place).
200 Medley Relay: M. Fenske, M. Snodgrass, C. Snodgrass, and Gourley (1:51.19, 5th place).

(Super Job, Riversharks!!!! Have a great National Meet Callie and Maggie!!!! Thanks to Dan Clark for this article and Wendy Snodgrass for her photos!!!!)