Jersey Shore/Loyalsock Swim Meet Synopsis

Jersey Shore swimmers line up in the water to fine tune turns during warm-ups.

There are a total of seventy-six events in a Bald Eagle Swim League Meet. As the meet progresses, the coaches and swimmers can usually tell which age groups match up better than others. Jersey Shore’s meeting with Loyalsock was no different as they were easily controlling Loyalsock in the 10-and-under girls, 12-and-under boys, and 15-and-over girls. Likewise, ‘Sock matched up well in the 12-and-under girls, 10-and-under boys, and the 15-and-over boys. Coaches on both sides had no idea about the four other age groups and knew that it was going to come down to the final relays to decide the overall meet winner.

The 8-and-under boys entered their last event, the 100 yard freestyle down one point. Loyalsock was unable to field a full complement of swimmers so Shore’s two relays were able to capture first and second to secure a 29-21 win.
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The very next relay was the 8-and-under girls who were down four points going into the final relay. Head coach Patty Kennelley had three 100 yard freestyle relays to go after Loyalsock, with a first place at least securing a tie for the youngsters. The relay of Jordon O’Connor, Sadie Griswold, Natalie Charnego, and Taylor Fleming fell behind early but gave chase throughout the race, finishing 1.75 seconds behind Loyalsock. Socks win sealed the age group victory.

Five events later, the 14-and-under boys stepped up to the starting blocks. They entered their last race for the evening 4 points behind. Derrick McPherson led off the 200 yard freestyle relay with a strong start and gave teammate Jonathon Weaver a body length lead over Loyalsock. Weaver opened up the lead in which ‘Sock couldn’t close. Evan Moore and Tyler Sheets finished off the race and cruised to a comfortable win. Teammates Clay Newton, Nate Lose, Phil Clair, and Cody Myers finished third. The third place finish was important as it prevented Loyalsock from winning the age group and it ended in a 37-37 tie.

At this point, the meet was tied up at 4.5 -4.5 (with the 15-and-over girls and boys age groups pretty much decided much earlier in the evening). The final score for the meet was dependent on one age group and one race, the 14-and-under girl’s 200 yard freestyle relay.

This age group had to dig themselves out of a hole during the course of the evening. It started off with Loyalsock capturing first and third in the 200 medley relay, leading 7-3. Shore’s Becca Schweikart, Brittany Younkin, Sapphire Naugle and Sophie Haltaksky were able to secure three points by out-touching Loyalsock’s number two relay team by less than a second. Kortnee Blair then narrowed the point gap slightly by winning the 50 yard freestyle with Loyalsock taking second and third. At this point Shore was down 8-11.

Jersey Shore’s 14-and-under age group had to drag themselves back into contention point by point over the next several events. Twenty-five races into the evening and Courtney Breon had not been to the starting blocks. Her first race was the 100 yard individual medley which she won very easily, pulling Shore within two points, 13-15. She jumped back onto the blocks a short time later and won the 50 yard backstroke by one second over Loyalsock’s Katy Burdett and pulled Shore within a point, 18-19. Teammate Blair easily won their very next event, the 100 yard freestyle that drew them even to ‘Sock at 23-23.

The 14-and unders fell behind by three points, 26-29, when Loyalsock’s Jolene Drum beat Blair by less than a second in the 50 yard breaststroke. Breon, along with teammate Naugle, tied the score by finishing 1-2 in the 50 yard butterfly at 32-32.
The pressure was on as Jersey Shore had to win the final relay to not only win the 14-and-under girls age group, but the meet.

Blair and Loyalsock’s Burdett were even after the first relay leg of the 200 yard freestyle. The second 50 yards was all ‘Sock’s as Jolene Drum was able to open up a small lead over Shore’s Hatalsky. Naugle prevented Loyalsock from extending the lead and maintained a close second during the third relay leg. Breon was head coach Patty Kennelley’s workhorse for the evening and placed her as anchor. Breon played catch-up in the first 25 yards of her race. At the turn, she emerged slightly ahead of Loyalsock’s Allie Hamilton and out-touched her opponent by less than a second.

The 14-and-under girls 200 freestyle first place finish gave them a 38-36 win and pushed Jersey Shore to a overall meet score of 5.5 - 4.5.
Jersey Shore swimmers practice starts during warm-ups.