Jersey Shore/Tri-Town Swim Meet Synopsis

Jersey Shore’s Brett Ulsamer, in the breaststroke leg of his 100 meter individual medley, misses first by 1.5 seconds. Photo courtesy of Mike Rodo.

The dissolution of the Montoursville Summer Swim Team was a boon for several area teams as swimmers sought new racing lanes to call home. One of the recipients of the break-up was Tri-Town (Muncy area). Not only did their swimmer count rise but also their talent pool. The past two years, Shore easily handled Tri-Town with 9-1 wins in 2008 and 2009. On Tuesday night, neither team could claim dominance over the other as it ended in a 5-5 tie.

The 15-and-over girls three year win streak came to an end in a close contest, 40-34. Although Shore won both relays and took half the individual events, Tri-Town had just enough depth to outpoint their opponent in the end. Danielle McPherson won the 100 meter freestyle and breaststroke while teammate Sam Kennelley won the 50 meter butterfly. They partnered with Katie Flook and Gabbie Rossman to take the 200 meter medley and freestyle relays.

Jersey Shore’s 15-and-over Gabbie Rossman in the 50 meter breaststroke. Photo courtesy of Mike Rodo.

As one streak ends, another starts. The 10-and-under girls finished last year undefeated and easily handled Tri-Town, 62-12, by winning both relays and all six individual events. The opening 100 meter medley relay of Kendra White, Emma Butzler, Gabbie Moore, and Hannah Stemler set the tone for this group of girls. The foursome went on to dominate the individual events as Stemler captured the 25 meter freestyle, Butzler the 100 meter individual medley and 25 meter breaststroke, White the 50 meter freestyle, and Moore the 25 meter butterfly and backstroke. Shore swimmers were also able to capture second place in five of those six events. White, Moore, and Butzler teamed up with Cassie Kitchen to take the 100 meter freestyle relay. Their teammates Saddie Powers, Haley Naugle, Briar Lehman, and Stemler were several seconds behind to capture second.

The 14-and-over boys fared well against Tri-Town with a 48-21 win. The opening relay of Evan Moore, Clay Newton, Derek McPherson, and Jonathon Weaver went uncontested but that was not the case for their final 200 meter freestyle relay. Moore and Tri-Town’s Nick Ripley fought for the lead in the first leg with Moore just out-touching his opponent. Tri-Town’s Coleman Wolfe was able to jump ahead of Weaver in the second 50 meters only to have Newton regain the lead, ever so slightly, in the third 50 meters. The win was finally sealed when McPherson out-sprinted Tri-Town’s anchor to the wall. Newton also captured the 50 and 100 meter freestyle, Moore the 50 meter backstroke and butterfly, and McPherson the 100 meter individual medley.

Jersey Shore’s 14-and-under Derek McPherson, cruises in the breaststroke leg of his 100 meter individual medley on route to a win. Photo courtesy of Mike Rodo