Give It a Chance- He Might Like It

My son recently had a classmate/neighborhood friend over to spend the night. During the course of the stay, he mentioned that his “dad” would not let him play soccer or swim because “it was for girls”. My immediate reaction (in my mind not verbally) was “why do you let your son socialize with my son?” You see, my son both swims and plays soccer. I’m not sure why this “dad” wants his son to play with such a “girly-boy” when he views both activities as just for girls. (I’ll let the soccer crowd weigh in on that sport since this is a swimming blog).

The day passed and I sat down to view the latest news. I checked my regular internet sites, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and CNN. On the CNN site I came across an article on Lewis Pugh. Pugh is a reservist in Britain's special forces regiment, who was swimming across some open water in the Arctic. In the course of the article he states "I want to swim until the last day of my life.” Yeesh! How girly can you get!

The military background in the CNN article got me thinking about national security. I did some quick searching on Navy Seals. In an effort to find young adults who can pass through their tough weeding out process they are actively seeking out the following high school athletes; triathletes, lacrosse, water polo, and rugby players, swimmers and wrestlers. Several of the sports listed (notably triathletes, swimming, and water polo) require the athlete to be a competent swimmer. Nowhere in the write-up could I find baseball, football, or basketball. That is not to say athletes in those sports could handle the Navy Seals. It may also be that those athletes in those sports not mentioned are better suited in different military branches.

In no way am I denigrating girl/women swimmers in this account either. I have played water polo/swam with my female counterparts and they were mentally and physically tough as nails. Whoops! That statement might add fuel to his fire about swimming being for girls.

I think that this “dad” should get on his son’s Facebook account and find him some wrestler or football friends to play with. No need to play with the “girly boys” that could swim circles around him.

Jersey Shore Winter Swim Poster

Hey parents and swimmers, print off this poster and give it to a friend or hang it in a local business. Just right click and click "save picture as" to your computer. Then simply print off a copy or two.

Click on Photo to enlarge. Design by Todd Moore

Several Jersey Shore Swimmers Compete in Area Triathlon

Jersey Shore area athletes competed in the 5th Annual Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority Sprint Triathlon against 200 kids. Jersey Shore participants front row from left, Ezra Miller, Sadie Griswold(S), Jordan O’Connor(S), and Celesta Shemory; middle row;, Gabbie Moore(S), Emma Butzler(S), Olivia Edler(S), and Kendra White(S); back row, Ezekiel Miller, Jacob Butzler(S), Elijah Shemory, Austin White, and Evan Moore(S). (S) symbolizes Jersey Shore Summer Swim Team members.

Several Jersey Shore swimmers traveled down to Lewisburg to try their hand in the 5th Annual Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority Sprint Triathlon. It was a chance for them to take their swimming skills and use them in an event that combines water, bikes, and running. TO READ MORE ABOUT THE LARA SPRINT TRIATHLON AND VIEW OTHER PHOTOS, THEN CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW.

Now Go Find A Creek To Swim In!

Photo on left is from a 2009 swim meet at the Montoursville Borough Pool. Photo on the right was taken June 19, 2010. Click photo to enlarge.

Photo taken on August 21, 2010. Click photo to enlarge

The Montoursville Borough Pool (or is the correct term now the former Montoursville Borough Pool) is slowly being filled up with soil, rocks, and debris.

USA Swimming Coming To Town

Andy Waeger, LHU and Haven Area Aquatic Club Head Coach (center), Joel Blesh , Associate Head Coach (left), and Kim Waeger, Team Director (right) explain their roles and vision as they bring USA Swimming to the Lock Haven area.

The sport of swimming is growing in Clinton County and the Lock Haven area in leaps and bounds. The opportunities for first time swimmers to collegiate level athletes are available in an array of experiences.

During the summer months, youth take to the Mill Hall Community Pool and compete in the Bald Eagle Swim League against other central Pennsylvania teams. As winter approaches, many of these same swimmers move into the Lock Haven Area YMCA to hone their skills and compete in the Central Pennsylvania YMCA Swim League. If passionate enough, many of these swimmers become Wildcats and swim for Central Mountain High School.

Lock Haven University competes at a higher level and draws swimmers near and far to compete at the collegiate level. This year, head coach Andy Waeger led the LHU women to a 16th place finish in the NCAA II Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving National Championships.

Waeger has had a passion for swimming since he was seven years old and his passion for the sport is still burning after his 6th year at LHU. He now wants to bring that energy to central Pennsylvania youth through USA Swimming.

This is the national governing body for the sport of swimming in the United States. USA Swimming promotes the culture of swimming by creating opportunities for swimmers and coaches of all backgrounds to participate and advance in the sport through clubs, events and education.
TO READ MORE ABOUT USA SWIMMING AND VIEW HANDOUTS FROM THE AUGUST 19 MEETING, THEN CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW.

Never to Old to Swim

This was in the Lock Haven Express July 29, 2010 Edition

Local athlete swims at Keystone Games

YORK - Steve Muthler won the 100-yard individual medley for the 55 to 59 age group at Central York High School on Saturday. The 1 minute, 6.97 second time was a new Keystone State games record for the event, breaking the old record by 0.75 seconds. The old record was 1:07.72, held by Mike Slenker from the Lehigh Valley area.

Muthler held the Jersey Shore outdoor pool record in 1970, with a time of 1:04.2, and went on to captain the Lycoming College team during the early 1970's. He continued involvement in the sport, coaching the Loyalsock and Jersey Shore summer swim teams, and the Lock Haven, Williamsport and Jersey Shore YMCA teams.

Haven Area Aquatic Club

Looking to Swim USA Swimming in Central Pennsylvania? You might want to attend an upcoming informational meeting to see if this is a fit for your swimmer.

INFORMATIONAL MEETING

THURSDAY

AUGUST 19, 2010
6:30PM

ON THE CAMPUS OF LOCK HAVEN UNIV.
ZIMMERLI GYMNASIUM ROOM #8

ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT

ANDY WAEGER
570-484-2820
awaeger@lhup.edu

2010 Jersey Shore Undefeated Age Groups in Bald Eagle Swim League

The 10-and-under girls completed their dual meet season in the Bald Eagle Swim League with a 6-0 record. Photo courtesy of Mike Rodo.


The 12-and-under boys completed their dual meet season in the Bald Eagle Swim League with a 6-0 record. From left to right; Jacob Butzler, Trey Fox, Cullen Berfield, Luke Engel, and Jonathan Creveling. Missing from photo are Dalton Bardo and Daniel Neumann. Photo courtesy of Mike Rodo.


The 14-and-under boys completed their dual meet season in the Bald Eagle Swim League without a loss. From left to right; Kyle Haltenhoff, Tyler Sheets, Nate Lose, Derek McPherson, Hilton Mayes, Jonathan Weaver, and Evan Moore. Missing from photo are Phil Clair, Cody Myers, and Clay Newton. Photo courtesy of Mike Rodo.

2010 Summer Swim Team Picnic and Awards Ceremony

The Jersey Shore Summer Swim Team wrapped up their season with an awards picnic this past Sunday. Head Coach Patty Kennelley started off the evening by praising the hard work that the local swimmers put into the season. She also noted that their work ethic has paid off the past several years as the team has not lost a dual meet the past five years.

Several awards were presented throughout the evening to recognize outstanding effort and performance. The first were the Way to Go Awards which recognizes those swimmers that drop over 5 seconds in an event over the course of the season. The recipients were Peter Bellomo in dropping 5 seconds in the 25 yard freestyle, Alex Butzler-10 secs in the 25 yard backstroke, Josie Gansell-5.2 secs in the 25 yard backstroke, Dylan Kitchen-11 secs in the 25 yard freestyle, Courtney Lehman- 8 secs and 7 secs in the25 yard freestyle and 25 yard backstroke respectively, Sara Misquitta-5.7 secs in the 25 yard backstroke, Tate Naugle-6 secs in the 25 yard freestyle, Meagan Sorgen-5 secs in the 25 yard butterfly, Owen Staggert-15 secs in the 25 yard freestyle, Caleb Stemler-25 secs in the 25 yard freestyle, Tayven West-7 secs in the 25 yard breaststroke, Padraic DeLaney-5 secs in the 25 yard freestyle, Erica Fenstermacher-5 secs in the 25 yard breaststroke, Haley Naugle-5 secs in the 100 yard IM, Dakota Schweikart-14.9 secs in the 50 yard freestyle, Theron Sorgen-6.5 secs in the 25 yard butterfly, Kollen Walters-6.1 secs in the 50 yard freestyle, Daniel Neumann-15 secs in the 50 yard freestyle, Allison Schweikart-7 secs in the 50 yard backstroke, Sophie Hatalsky-over 5 secs in the 50 yard butterfly and 100 yard IM, Toby Letterman- 7 secs in the 100 yard freestyle, and Tori Genicola-6 secs in the 50 yard backstroke.
TO READ MORE ABOUT THE PICNIC AND VIEW PHOTOS CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW.

Jersey Shore Summer Swim Team Record Board Becomes Reality

All summer long, the kids were not only racing the competition but the clock; trying to set a new league record or just better their time from the last dual meet. Swim team parents Dan McPherson and Todd Moore were also racing the clock. The idea and funds for an outside record board had been decided by the Jersey Shore Summer Swim Team board months earlier and it was the task of these two to make it a reality.

The self imposed deadline was to have it ready by the end of season picnic for all parents and swimmers to see. With great effort and some long hours it came into fruition.

Todd Moore (left) and Dan McPherson (right) stand next to their creation.

Wellsboro's Perspective - Dual Meet Results

This is a little late in posting but I think it is interesting to see your competitors point of view on the swim meet. The following paragraphs were in the Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Wellsboro Gazette detailing the Wellsboro/Jersey Shore dual meet.

On Tuesday, July 20, the Wellsboro Swim team traveled to Jersey Shore’s home turf for the most anticipated swim meet this season. Jersey Shore planned to defend their four-year reign as Bald Eagle Swim League (BESL) champions. Wellsboro had other ideas.

Wellsboro and Jersey Shore tied the meet 5-5. Had Wellsboro scored a mere two additional points in their 12 and under boys’ age group, it would have been a clear 6-4 win for the Hornets. However, all of Wellsboro’s preceding meets had been victories, but Jersey Shore had already ended their meet against Tritown in a tie.

With Wellsboro having one tie-score on their record and Jersey Shore having two, Wellsboro emerged from the regular summer season as the clear first place champion. Jersey Shore placed in second position.

Wellsboro's Perspective - First championship in seven years

Have you ever wondered what the other swim teams think of Jersey Shore? Below is a portion of the Championship write-up from the Wellsboro point of view. This information was obtained from the on-line Wellsboro Gazette

First championship in seven years
by ROBIN E. PALMER
rpalmer@tiogapublishing.com
Published: Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Proudly taking a moment to display their team trophies, the Wellsboro Summer Swim League highlighted their season on Sunday, Aug. 1, at Packer Park, with their annual awards ceremony.

This year was a stellar season as many new personal records and league records were shattered, as the Wellsboro team concluded the season 5-0-1 and also garnered their first Bald Eagle Summer League Championship Title in over seven years.

Jersey Shore is always a powerful source in the water for Wellsboro, especially at championships.

This season - Wellsboro had other intentions on leaving Jersey Shore behind — to EAT THEIR BUBBLES after coming up short by 15 points last season for the title.

With over 375 swimmers, Wellsboro concluded the championships held Saturday, July 31, in Loyalsock with 1,460.5 points, while Jersey Shore had to settle for second place at 1,220 points. Loyalsock finished third (896), while Tri-Town (770.5), Troy (632), Williamsport (516) and Mill Hall (263) rapped up the points.
THE WELLSBORO SUMMER SWIM TEAM concluded their 2010 season taking their first Bald Eagle Swim League (BESL) Championship in seven years on Saturday, July 31, in Loyalsock. With their coaches (at left) Angie Cole and (at right) Dani Cole, the 2010 team included (front, from left) Zach Singer, Will Poirier, Brennan Warner, Spencer Cotner, Jack Poirier, Russell Mee, Daryn Callahan, Owen Richardson, Jasmine Iseri, Jojo Judlin; (second row, from left) Catherine Craig, Lauren Singer, Savannah Baltzley, Caitlyn Callahan, Brooke Baker, Cathryn Brought, Cameron Brought, Sebastian, Hope Sampson, Sophie Kurtz; (third row, from left) Emma Poirier, Arianna Carleton, Kailyn Judlin, Abby Feil, Lizzie Poirier, Grace Feil, Kaitlyne Kramer, Zoe Iseri, Jillian Berguson, Christopher Richardson, Bryon Callahan; (fourth row, from left) Devan Warner, Connor Brought, Brayden Button, Jeremy Butters, Tanner Button, Noah, Nathan Redell, Christopher Swain; (fifth row) Faith Kennedy, Levi Holliday, Taynton Rieppel, Taylor Baker, Jake Singer, Nathan Cotner, Molly Craig, Darci Warriner, Olivia Kurtz; (sixth row, from left) Alyssa Boyd, Emilie Kramer, Mikayla Feil, Sarah Kramer, Olivia Owlett, Paige Griffin, Mackenzie Ford; (seventh row, from left) Marc Straniere, Blair Carson, Josh Kennedy, Chad Worden, Danielle Mihalik, Alex Kurtz, Rachelle Boyd; (back row, from left) Jimmy Smethers, Brittany Redell, Damon Cole, Colleen Merringer, Kirsten Clemens, Bobby Hill, Christine Kennedy and Jessie Catherman. Photo by ROBIN E. PALMER

Wellsboro Claims Championship Over Shore

Megan Bechtol reaches over to congratulate teammate Allison Schweikart on completion of the girls 12-and-under 50 meter breaststroke.

It was a clash in the water as the two top teams in the Bald Eagle Swim League battled it out for bragging rights at Championships at the Loyalsock Community Swimming Pool. The Shore boys placed second behind Wellsboro while the girls from Jersey Shore pulled out a late win over Wellsboro’s girls. In the end, however; Wellsboro’s point total for both groups was too much for the black and orange to overcome.

Jersey Shore recorded eleven individual and seven relay wins. For the girls, it required some record setting swims and a couple of one-two punches to hold off Wellsboro.

Shore's first win of the morning came at event 3 when the 14-and-under boy's relay of Evan Moore, Tyler Sheets, Derek McPherson, and Clay Newton won by 66/100 of a second over Williamsport's top 200 medley relay. The foursome would go on to also capture the 200 meter freestyle relay. McPherson was the only Shore boy swimmer to win an individual event which he accomplished in the 50 meter freestyle.
TO SEE READ MORE OF THE BESL CHAMPIONSHIP MEET, THEN CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW.