Jersey Shore Is Awash With Swimmers

The Jersey Shore area has an incredible number of swimmers but the question is how to get these kids and their parents interested in competitive swimming.  When you look at an aerial or satellite view of Jersey Shore and surrounding towns (look at pictures below) it is amazing how many homeowners have pools.  Apparently, parents want their kids to have fun and feel comfortable around water.  The Jersey Shore Swim Blog also suspects many parents view it as a form of exercise for their kids.   This situation is probably very similar in the Lock Haven and Williamsport community.

How does the swimming community promote YMCA winter swim team, summer swim team, and/or USA swimming to these swimmers?  How does the swimming community promote all the positive aspects of competetive swimming to parents? 

This is just a shot of two blocks with a section of Jersey Shore.  How many pools do you see?  Click on photo to enlarge.  Answer at the bottom of this post.

This is just a shot of a section within Avis (part of the Jersey Shore School District). How many pools do you see?  Click on photo to enlarge.  Answer at the bottom of this post.

 It appears that there are 5 swimming pools of various sizes in the Jersey Shore picture and 4 (possibly 6) in the snapshot of the nearby town of Avis.  Multiple this small area over all the blocks and area in Jersey Shore, Avis, Antes Fort, Nippenose Valley, Waterville, Salladsburg, and all the small developments (and lets not forget all the river lots that line the West Branch of the Susquehanna River) and Jersey Shore is dripping with swimmers.

Stocking the YMCA Winter Swim Team Concession Stand

Jersey Shore's first HOME swim meet will be held on Saturday, January 7th. As a reminder, all families are asked to bring a one-time donation of either Soda, Gatorade, or Water to be used for our home meets. In an effort to make sure we receive a variety of different drinks for the meets, the Concession Stand Volunteers are asking that families with the last names starting with:

A-L bring in an 8 pack of Gatorade
M-P bring in a 36 pack of 16.9 oz. bottles of water
R-Z bring in a 24 pack of any soda in 12 oz. cans

Everyone is asked to bring their Gatorade/Water/Soda donation to this first home swim meet on January 7th. Please make sure you let someone know you brought your donation and your name will be crossed of the list they are keeping.

Also, there is a food donation list on the bulletin board at the pool. Please make sure you look over this list to see if there are any donations still needed. The food donations are needed for all home meets.

If anyone has any questions, please call Marci at 337-3316.

Jersey Shore YMCA Winter Swim Team Wishes the Swimming World a Merry Christmas

Coaches Dave Keegan, Patty Kennelley and the various age groups (10-and-unders above with the 12-and-overs below) wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  Taken at Thursday's practice where they swam the "12 Days of Christmas".  Click photos to enlarge

Williamsport HS v Bloomsburg

click to enlarge

Jersey Shore YMCA vs Lock Haven

This write-up was not posted until a scoring discrepancy was resolved from the December 10 swim meet.

Going to a YMCA swim meet between Lock Haven and Jersey Shore is like one big family event.  There are rivalries (what family doesn’t have them) and there is a lot of intermingling between swimmers and parents.  The distance over Pine Creek and the West Branch of the Susquehanna is short so these swimming families get to know each other on a regular basis.  Whereas Jersey Shore has had the upper hand the past several years in these ‘family gatherings’, Lock Haven was able to prevail at the December 10 swim meet, 6-4.

Jersey Shore head coach Dave Keegan
watches over swimmers during
warmups.

The Lock Haven Loggerheads captured all the boy’s groups from the 10-and-ups to the 15-and-overs.  The opening relay for Lock Haven set the tone as the 15-and-over foursome of Phil Rodo, Ben Jones, Tyler Sheets, and Jordan Suter swam a 2:03.21 which was fast enough to qualify them for YMCA Western Districts in March.  

The competition was high in the 14-and-under boys as the teams split the individual events.   Lock Haven’s Nolan Dale took firsts in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle while his brother captured the 100 yard breaststroke.  Shore’s Cody Schwoyer touched the wall first in the 200 yard individual medley and 100 yard backstroke while teammate Luke Engel won the 100 yard butterfly.  It was the relays that decided this age group as Brandon Kibler, E. Dale, N. Dale, and Mark Myers won both the 200 yard medley and freestyle relays. 

“The 13-14 boys were a pleasant surprise,” said Shore head coach Dave Keegan, “considering we had only four swimmers in that age group for the meet.”  “We have one new swimmer in that age group (Zach Lehman) who had never swim before and he turned in a couple of good swims and a strong leg in the relay”.

While Lock Haven took all the boy’s groups from the 10-and-ups to the 15-and-overs it was Jersey Shore that did the same on the girl’s side.   The 12-and-unders dominated their age group as they won all the individual events and both relays.  The only exception was Loggerheads Saddie Powers who won the 50 yard freestyle as Shore’s Hannah Stemler and Laura Zeigler pulled into second and third respectively.

It was the newest and youngest age groups that decided the meet as both the 8-and-under boys and girls were won by Lock Haven.  “The Lock Haven YMCA has had a lot of brand new swimmers that are excited about the sport and are improving after every meet”, said Lock Haven’s coach Joel Blesh.  
The 8-and-under Shore girls went on to capture four of the individual events to Haven’s two but it was the two relays that did the girls in as the Loggerheads Madison Bair, Caitlyn, Evie Jane Rembold, and Emily Bartlett won both the opening and closing events.

Lock Haven’s 8-and-under boys were a little more dominating but could not control the individual freestyle events.  Shore’s Caleb Stemler won the 50 yard freestyle while he and teammates Aaron Baker and Dylan Kitchen captured the top three slots in the 50 yard freestyle respectively.

Is Williamsport High School Swimming Slowly Dying?

Click to enlarge.

Most high school sports have a youth or feeder program that introduces youth into the 'nuts and bolts' of a  particular sport.  Local high school baseball players get their start on the Little League baseball fields while basketball players get to experience the hardcourt in youth basketball leagues such as the John Bower League (local church winter league that is the 'Oldest and Largest Church League in America').  Future soccer players get a taste of the pitch in AYSO leagues. 

Where do kids get their first exposure to competitive swimming?  For many, it is the YMCA winter swim teams.  It is chance for both swimmers and parents to get a taste of not only the excitement and fun of swimming but the commitment and dedication that is required in this sport (the Jersey Shore Swim blog is not singling out swimming in this aspect as all sports require commitment and dedication).

But what is the future of Williamsport High School swimming when the Williamsport YMCA dropped competitive swimming?  It can't be for lack of pool space as there is a pool at the Williamsport YMCA.   Sure the pool is old and the Y leadership has recognized this and is looking to build a new facility with a new pool, but it is still usable. See here.

The Jersey Shore YMCA swim team has been in nomadic status (good grief, what a disaster that has been and should be another story on this blog) as the team has traveled into Williamsport to swim at a variety of pools (such as Lycoming College, Williamport YMCA, and the Williamsport High School).  The point here is that there are pools in Williamsport that are available and can be used by youth.

When there was some talk of closing the Jersey Shore High School pool this past spring, swimmers and swimming parents flooded the school board meetings to express their disapproval.  Where is the swimming community in Williamsport on this issue (where was it when they closed the Montoursville outdoor pool for that matter)?  Can it be that the largest city in central Pennsylvania does not have a swim community?  Or that parents don't care? 

Without a youth swim team in the community, Williamsport High School swimming will go into a slow decline.

Jersey Shore Swimmer Recognized for Athletic, Academic, and Community Accomplishments



click to enlarge



Where is the Williamsport YMCA Swim Team?

Below is an article from the Lock Haven Express detailing a swim meet between the Lock Haven YMCA and Williamsport thirty years ago (from the 1981-1982 winter swim team season).  Now, competition with Williamsport Y is a distant memory.  Why?  Are there no pools in Williamsport?  Are there no kids interested in swimming in the largest city in central Pennsylvania?  Is the Williamsport Y not interested in offering this activity to the locals?  Did the swimming parents run the program into the ground?  Could no coaches be found?

It is a shame that the Williamsport community could not pull together and provide the youth of their community the opportunity to swim competitively.

Lock Haven Express article from the 1981-1982 YMCA winter swim meet
between Lock Haven and Williamsport.  Clipping courtesy of the Steve Sheets family.
Click on photo to enlarge

Central Mountain HS vs Mifflin County HS

Photos from the December 13, 2012 issue of
the Lock Haven Express, pg B-1.Click to enlarge

Jersey Shore YMCA v Lock Haven YMCA - Pictures

Swim team parent Shelley Moore set up a site to view meet pictures. Just go to http://shoreswimming.winkflash.com/ to view pictures from yesterdays swim meet.

Lock Haven YMCA vs Juniata Valley YMCA

Many Jersey Shore and Lock Haven swimmers practice together, go to camps together, compete together, and compete against each other. As a result of this close relationship between the two communities, swim team parent Rachelle Sheets will be a contributing blogger to this site. Her postings will keep readers informed on events and happenings in Lock Haven area swimming.  More of her posts can be found by looking at "Happenings in Lock Haven Area Swimming" on the Labels side bar.

Early Saturday morning on November 26th the Loggerheads travelled to the impressive Juniata Valley YMCA Stingrays facility (located outside of Lewistown) to swim in a YMCA formatted exhibition meet.

Because of losing two teams in recent years, Head Coach Joel Blesh decided to contact another YMCA out of our League to see if they would be interested in swimming. Juniata's coach was all for it and invited the Loggerheads to compete in their pool.

This was an excellent opportunity for the new swimmers and veterans to get some "meet experience", though it didn't not count for an official record. All the swimmers on both teams competed hard and excellent times were swam by all.

Julius Tomalonis swimming butterfly

Some of the highlights were the 12 & U boys sweeping both relays (Medley: J. Sheets, B. Powell, J. Tomalonis, and T. Cygan) (Freestyle: B. Powell, J. Sheets, and Julius & Jonas Tomalonis). The 12 & U girls also swept their relays (Medley: N. Moore, S. Powers, M. Haftl & O. McGee) (Freestyle: S. Powers, N. Moore, D. Pillai & M. Haftl).

The meet ended with a 7-3 Juniata victory, however the age groups that the Loggerheads lost were very close. We thank the Juniata Stingrays for their hospitality and great competition in the pool and look forward to meeting them again.

Jersey Shore Swimmers Race in Nittany Lion Aquatic Club's Winter Splash

Twenty USA swim clubs participated in the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club's Winter Splash this past weekend.  Several Jersey Shore swimmers went over for the three day event. The results can be viewed here.

click to enlarge



YMCA Level II Swim Officials Clinic

Jersey Shore YMCA Swim Parents,
If you are a Level I official and are willing/interested in becoming a Level II official, there is a class on:

Sunday, December 11, 2011
Bloomsburg University
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

The registration form (below) must be signed by either Liz Miranda or Seth Welsh at the Jersey Shore YMCA. You may bring the form and money to the clinic. Please email brad.bason@yahoo.com or call phone him (570-271-1314) to let him know that you are coming so that he has enough materials duplicated.

There are a few pre-requisites for this class:

For New Level II officials: minimum 1 year as a YMCA of the USA Level I official and have worked a minimum of 8 sessions.

For Level II Re-certification: Previous Level II Certification and have worked a minimum of 12 sessions over the previous 3 year certification period.

Documentation of worked sessions should be provided to the trainer.

click to enlarge

New Record for 2011 Summer Swim Season

Several new records for the 2011 summer swim season were broken but an avid follower of the Jersey Shore Swim blog noticed that the Jersey Shore Summer Swim Team records didn't quite match up to some of the results from the 2011 season.  A new record occured in the Wellsboro vs Jersey Shore swim meet when the 8-and-under girls 100 meldey relay of Lily Dincher, Allison Moore, Meaghan Keegan, and Isabele Griswold captured first with a time of 1:30.58.  Congratulations girls!

Bellefonte Invitational Results

Bellefonte Invitational at Lock Haven University
Saturday, December 3, 2011

Jersey Shore YMCA (JSY)
Lock Haven YMCA (LHY)
Bloomsburg YMCA (BAY)
Eastern Lycoming YMCA (ELY)
Bellefonte YMCA (BYMCA)

6 and Under Girls
25 Free 1. Morris, M., BAY, 0:19.74; 2. Neff, T., BAY, 0:22.43; 3. Billmeyer, A., BAY, 0:27.33
25 Back: 1. Neff, T., BAY, 0:22.97; 2. McCool, K., BYMCA, 0:27.48; 3. Haney, A., BAY, 0:28.50

6 and Under Boys
25 Free: 1. Hanna, J., LHY, 0:28.43; 2. Schnars, G., BYMCA, 0:38.04
25 Back: 1. Hanna, J., LHY, 0:42.45

Mixed 8 and Under
100 Medley Relay: 1. BAY, 1:32.93 (Lavery, R.; Truslowe, S.; Haney, L.; Ashtar, J.); 2. BAY, 1:36.07(Keister, B.; Robbins, T.; McHenry, S.; Lewis, A.); 3. BYMCA, 1:38.30 (Albright, B.; Welsh, S.; Lucas, C.; Bloom, R.)
100 Free Relay: 1. BAY, 1:20.26 (Robbins, T.; Keister, B.; Haney, L.; Lewis, A.); 2. BAY, 1:28.77 (Ashtar, J.; Madden, B.; Empie, G.; Truslowe, S.); 3. BAY, 1:36.21 (Morris, M.; Lavery, R.; Haney, A.; Yoduck, E.)

8 and Under Girls
25 Free 1. Lewis, A., BAY, 0:16.71; 2. Keegan, M., JSY, 0:17.61; 3. Welsh, S., BYMCA, 0:19.04
25 Fly: 1. Keegan, M., JSY, 0:19.91; 2. McHenry, S., BAY, 0:21.28; 3. Wallis, S., ELY, 0:23.73
50 Free: 1. Lewis, A., BAY, 0:40.49; 2. Keegan, M., JSY, 0:42.50; 3. Harris, M., BYMCA, 0:46.39
25 Back: 1. Lavery, R., BAY, 0:20.94; 2. McHenry, S., BAY, 0:21.58; 3. Yoduck, E., BAY, 0:23.44
25 Breast: 1. Keegan, M., JSY, 0:25.07; 2. Welsh, S., BYMCA, 0:25.51; 3. Ashtar, J., BAY, 0:25.63

8 and Under Boys
25 Free: 1. Stemler, C., JSY, 0:17.49; 2. Madden, B., BAY, 0:17.63: 3. Bloom, R., BYMCA, 0:18.89
25 Fly: 1. Kishbaugh, N., BAY, 0:18.80; 2. Madden, B., BAY, 0:20.09
50 Free: 1. Kishbaugh, N., BAY, 0:39.37; 2. Stemler, C., JSY, 0:40.80; 3. Bloom, R., BYMCA, 0:43.36
25 Back: 1. Stemler, C., JSY, 0:23.51; 2. Straley, W., LHY, 0:24.75; 3. Baker, A., JSY, 0:26.30
25 Breast: 1. Madden, B., BAY, 0:27.65

Mixed 10 and Under
200 Medley Relay: 1. BAY, 2:39.31 (Stamatedes, D.; Bennett, C.; Faust, D.; Truslowe, J.); 2. BAY, 2:58.43 (Delese, A.; Hintz, T.; Stine, L.; McHenry, R.); 3. BYMCA, 3:13.13 (Cole, M.; Cole, Z.; Purnell, J.; Besch, J.)
200 Free Relay: 1. BAY, 2:34.89 (Delese, A.; Bennett, C.; Stine, L.; Truslowe, J.); 2. JSY, 2:42.78 (Griswold, I.; Yakut, A.; Sorgen, M.; Fleming, T.); 3. BAY, 2:49.49 (Hintz, T.; Cera, N.; Koschchkoff-Rapkin, A. ; McHenry, R.)

10 and Under Girls
50 Free: 1. Fleming, T, JSY, 0:34.49; 2. Keller, S., ELY, 0:34.78; 3. Shaffer, B., ELY, 0:35.04
100 IM: 1. Cole, Z., BYMCA, 1:25.06; 2. Fleming, T., JSY, 1;28.18; 3. Keller, S., ELY, 1:31.03
25 Fly: 1. Cole, Z., BYMCA, 0:40.45; 2. Boring, K., ELY, 0:46.52; 3. Helms, C., BYMCA, 0:49.50
100 Free: 1. Shaffer, B., ELY, 1:19.36; 2. Besch, C., BYMCA, 1:27.72; 3. Hoffman, N., BYMCA, 1:37.41
50 Back: 1. Helms, C., BYMCA, 0:44.76; 2. Cole, M., BYMCA, 0:46.00; 3. Randall, A., ELY, 0:46.90
50 Breast: 1. Cole, Z., BYMCA, 0:43.95; 2. Keller, S., ELY, 0:46.12; 3. Patel, A., ELY, 0:46.26

10 and Under Boys
50 Free: 1. Purnell, J., BYMCA, 0:34.17; 2. Williams, L., LHY, 0:35.88; 3. Stine, L., BAY, 0:36.09
100 IM: 1. Faust, D., BAY, 1:22.25; 2. Bennett, C., BAY, 1:32.29; 3. Kishbaugh, N., BAY, 1:41.00
25 Fly: 1. Faust, D., BAY, 0:36.54; 2. LaCroix, B., BAY, 0:48.35; 3. Garrison, J., ELY, 0:53.85
100 Free: 1. Purnell, J., BYMCA, 1:18.77; 2. Truslowe, J., BAY, 1:18.81; 3. Stine, L., BAY, 1:20.06
50 Back: 1. Faust, D., BAY, 0:39.30; 2. Stamatedes, D., BAY, 0:45.84; 3. Butzler, A., JSY, 0:46.57
50 Breast: 1. Truslowe, J., BAY, 0:46.46; 2. Bennett, C., BAY, 0:47.05; 3. Purnell, J., BYMCA, 0:56.79

Mixed 12 and Under
200 Medley Relay: 1. BAY, 2:11.46 (Decker, R.; Neff, K.; Madden, J.; Everhart, H.); 2. BYMCA, 2:17.55 (Welsh, K.; Feldman, B.; Welsh, E.; Forstmeier, P.); 3. JSY, 2:20.69 (Stemler, H.; White, K.; Moore, G.; Stemler, O.)
200 Free Relay: 1. BAY, 2:04.03 (Decker, R.; Bason, E.; Edelstein, E.; Madden, J.); 2. BAY, 2:15.21 (Truax, T.; Koser, D.; Wright, M.; Hogue, E.); 3. BAY 2:20.57 (Resele, J.; Fuller, K.; Ashtar, R.; Lynn, M.)

12 and Under Girls
50 Free: 1. Moore, G., JSY, 0:29.06; 2. White, K., JSY, 0:29.46; 3. Welsh, E., BYMCA, 0:29.96
50 Fly: 1. Moore, G., JSY, 0:31.65; 2. Welsh, E., BYMCA, 0:32.68; 3. White, K., JSY, 0:33.48
100 Free: 1. Everhart, H., BAY, 1:00.79; 2. Butzler, E., JSY, 1:00.90; 3. Edelstein, E., BAY, 1:08.51
50 Back: 1. Moore, G., JSY, 0:34.23; 2. Walsh, E., BYMCA, 0:35.62; 3. Decker, R., BAY, 0:35.59
50 Breast: 1. Neff, K., BAY, 0:38.06; 2. Wright, M., BAY, 0:38.70; 3. Keegan, S., JSY, 0:39.34

12 and Under Boys
50 Free: 1. Forstmeier, P., BYMCA, 0:30.77; 2. Feldman, B., BYMCA, 0:31.50; 3. Crawford, J., BAY, 0:33.82
50 Fly: 1. Lowery, I., BYMCA, 0:35.03; 2. Feldman, B., BYMCA, 0:37.29; 3. Smith, K., BAY, 0:40.10
100 Free: 1. Forstmeier, P., BYMCA, 1:09.49; 2. Lowery, I., BYMCA, 1:11.10; 3. Schwoyer, Z., JSY, 1:11.73
50 Back: 1. Forstmeier, P., BYMCA, 0:37.45; 2. Schwoyer, Z., JSY, 0:41.73; 3. Sitachitta, M., ELY, 0:47.28
50 Breast: 1. Crawford, J., BAY, 0:38.22; 2. Feldman, B., BYMCA, 0:40.52; 3. Schwoyer, Z., JSY, 0:46.89

Mixed 13 and Over
200 Medley Relay: 1. BAY, 1:48.78 (Calhoun,S.; Bennett, F.; Szilagyi, S.; Bason, M.); 2. ELY, 1:57.84, (Frazier, D.; Shulick, D.; Mahaffey, A.; Sullivan, A.); 3. BAY, 1:59.29 (Stein, T.; Crawford, N.; Fornwald, M.; Lacroix, D.)
200 Free Relay: 1. BAY, 1:50.72 (Knorr, P.; Rafel, H.; Treadway, M.; Mercer, S.); 2. BAY, 1:55.66 (Difilippo, S.; Fink, A.; Stayer, K.; Sengupta, T.); 3. ELY, 1:47.93 (Stanley, J.; Shulick, D.; Klauss, C.; Bitler, P.)

13 and Over Girls
100 Fly: 1. Fedor, M., BYMCA, 1:11.04; 2. Dunne, C., ELY, 1:15.53; 3. Cheesman, L., BAY, 1:16.99
100 Back: 1. Crust, C., BYMCA, 1:07.52; 2. Knorr, P., BAY, 1:09.52; 3. Fedor, M., BYMCA, 1:10.27
100 Breast: 1. Difilippo, N., BAY, 1:20.39; 2. Coombe, C., BAY, 1:21.68; 3. Duck, M., BYMCA, 1:23.08

13 and Over Boys
100 Fly: 1. Szilagyi, S., BAY, 0:54.95; 2. Frazier, D., ELY, 1:00.03; 3. Chamberlain, I., BAY, 1:02.50
100 Back: 1. Newman, J., BYMCA, 1:00.69; 2. Frazier, D., ELY, 1:00.73; 3. Schnars, C., BYMCA, 1:01.06
100 Breast: 1. Crawford, N., BAY, 1:08.18; 2. Bennett, F., BAY, 1:08.41; 3. Cram, J., BYMCA, 1:10.14

14 and Under Girls
50 Free: 1. Knorr, P, BAY, 0:27.50; 2. Yocum, L., BAY, 0:28.49; 3. Fedor, M., BYMCA, 0:28.71
100 Free: 1. Treadway, M, BAY, 1:00.62; 2. Rafel, H., BAY, 1:02.40; 3. Coombe, C., BAY, 1:07.06

14 and Under Boys
50 Free: 1. Rowland, N., BYMCA, 0:27.15; 2. Geary, J., ELY, 0:27.31; 3. Kibler, B., LHY, 0:27.65
100 Free: 1. Orzolek, J., BAY, 0:58.15; 2. Kibler, B., LHY, 1:01.55; 3. Dale, N., LHY, 1:02.01

15 and Over Girls
50 Free: 1. Lowery, G., BYMCA, 0:26.59; 2. Difilippo, N., BAY, 0:27.99; 3. Shultz, A., LHY, 0:29.65
100 Free: 1. Lowery, G., BYMCA, 0:57.66; 2. Crust, C., BYMCA, 0:58.70; 3. Sengupta, T., BAY, 1:00.17

15 and Over Boys
50 Free: 1. Sullivan, A., ELY, 0:22.65; 2. Frazier, D., ELY, 0:23.42; 3. Rodo, P., LHY, 0:23.87
100 Free: 1. Szilagyi, S., BAY, 0:52.41; 2. Calhoun, S., BAY, 0:52.38; 3. Rodo, P., LHY, 0:53.75

Girls
200 IM: 1. Lowery, G., BYMCA, 2:21.92; 2. Mercer, S., BAY, 2:29.14; 3. Butzler, E., JSY, 2:38.21
200 Free: 1. Crust, C., BYMCA, 2:06.93; 2. Mercer, S., BAY, 2:08.53; 3. Sengupta, T., BAY, 2:14.12

Boys
200 IM: 1. Bason, M., BAY, 2:17.06; 2. Bennett, F., BAY, 2:20.54; 3. Scordato, P., BYMCA, 2:23.32
200 Free: 1. Sullivan, A., ELY, 1:55.47; 2. Calhoun, S., BAY, 1:56.33; 3. Szilagyi, S., BAY, 1:56.40

Deadline Approaching

As some of you know, the Jersey Shore Swimming Association is offering a Clothing Sale right now. Typically, we don't offer hoodies and sweats during our summer clothing sale, but there have been several request for them during the summer.

So, here is your chance! :) If you need "warmer clothing" for your swimmer for the early weeks of the summer season, the orders are to be back to us before Christmas. Presents maybe? ;)

click to enlarge

The order form and image of clothing options are attached for your convenience.

In order for us to get these items back in time for Christmas the orders need to be back to us by Monday, December 5th. There will no late orders. The winter team will be at the high school pool from 5:45pm to about 8:20pm or so both tonight and Monday night. You can drop your order forms and money off there... If you would like to order, but can't get to the pool either of those days, email me and we can work out a pick-up arrangement.

click to enlarge

Pools and Economic Development

Every time Jersey Shore athletes swim at the Penn State's McCoy Natatorium for a swim meet, one swim team parent always says the following; "Of all the athletic facilities at Penn State, this natatorium is the only one that hasn't been updated."

Well here you go, Architect approved for Natatorium expansion and can be viewed here

One quote that is particularily interesting is the following; “There also is an economic development aspect, as the larger pool will attract more meets such as the PIAA which Penn State had until Bucknell built a 50-meter pool several years ago,” Bodenschatz said. “There also are USA swimming regional meets, YMCA meets and more that Penn State will host, bringing families to Center County and prospective students to campus.”

Jersey Shore Swim Parents Volunteer Over 1300 Hours to YMCA

Whether it is Little League Baseball, Band Booster Club, or Boy Scouts, volunteers determine whether the youth experience is a successful endeavor or a tough slog. Swimming is no different.

To determine the impact of swim volunteers, an analysis was done on volunteer efforts during last years Jersey Shore YMCA winter swim team season (2010 - 2011) to determine their impact.  Hours were counted for such things as people working swim meets, fundraiser events, volunteer coaching, officials meetings, and organizing the annual banquet. Some pretty impressive numbers were found.

It takes 102 volunteer hours to run a home meet as parents time (need 12 throughout the course of a home meet), officiate, man the scorers table, and serve refreshments at the food table.  It only takes 46 volunteer hours to run an away meet as the home team provides the majority of timers.

Volunteer coaches really racked up some impressive numbers as Dave Keegan donated over 250 hours and the coaching duo of Todd and Shelley Moore also donated 250 hours of coaching.

The estimated dollar value of volunteer time for Pennsylvania is $20.51 per hour for 2010, according to the Independent Sector, a coalition of charities, foundations, corporations, and individuals that publishes research important to the nonprofit sector.

Swim parents donated 1360 hours to the Jersey Shore YMCA.  Using the above volunteer time at $20.51, then swim parents donated $27,893.60!!!

The YMCA Swim Team would not run and be successful without the parents!

2011 YMCA Swim Meet Schedule

The first dual meet is right around the corner but first, a tune-up with the Bellefonte Invitational on December 3.

click schedule to enlarge

Jersey Shore Swimmers Excel Beyond High School

Here is a look at two former Jersey Shore swimmers, Jenna Brooks and Maddie Thompson, that are doing pretty well in college/college prep swimming.  Maddie placed very high in several events in the 2011 Mercersburg Closed Invitational and the results can be viewed here.  Jenna Brooks is part of a Lock Haven swim team that is close to breaking in the Top 25 Division II rankings.  Her effort can be viewed here.

Bellefonte Invitational

Looking for a fun way to kick off the start of the YMCA swim season?  Check out the Bellefonte Invitational!  Some pretty neat relays!  This event will take place on December 3 at Lock Haven University.


Bellefonte Invitational Events. 



Jersey Shore Swim Gear Available for Christmas

This clothing sale will be just in time for Christmas gift giving - in order for this to happen though, all orders must be returned no later than Dcember 5th.   Late orders will not be taken.

click on form to enlarge

click on form to enlarge

YMCA Winter Swim is Truly Cold

Not sure why there are issues with the Jersey Shore High School Pool (they have had several months to work on it) but the water is COLD!!!  Below is the official first swim practice at the high school pool (they have had several practices at the Williamsport Y and Lycoming College)

Jersey Shore YMCA Swim Team Wreath Fundraiser a Success



Several Jersey Shore swimmers and their parents spent Sunday morning prepping wreaths to be distibuted throughout the community.  This is one of their major fundraisers to allow the winter YMCA swim team to function.

Wreaths unloaded into the YMCA



Several parents working on the bows

Several parents and swimmers placing cones onto wreath

Finished wreaths are laid outside the Jersey Shore YMCA for pick-up

The 'Wreath Crew'

All Hands On Deck

As of last count we are down in sales by over 200 wreaths, with just under 350 units sold.  While this is not ideal (as this is what pays the coaches’ salaries and how we keep our registration prices so low compared to the other local YMCA swim teams) it will cover a good portion of the team expenses.  We need a bit more help to see this fundraiser through to completion.  Please volunteer as much as your schedule allows as it is parent participation that makes this team as great as it is!!!

 

Sunday Morning, November 20 – the wreaths are delivered to the YMCA by 10 am and we will need volunteers to help unload the truck.  Please send an email to smoore@pct.edu if you can be at the YMCA at 9:45am to help prepare the room and help unload the truck.  As always the more volunteers we have the quicker we will get done!  We need a MINIMUM of 5 to 7 volunteers to carry this off.

 

Sunday Late Morning, November 20 – volunteers needed by 10:15am at the JS YMCA so we can prepare/organize the wreaths for pick-up (we have to put on around 600 pinecones!). This is the bulk of our workload and we need a minimum of about 20 parents/swimmers to get the wreaths processed for pick-up.  Again, please send an email to smoore@pct.edu if you can help add pinecones to the wreaths and sort/prepare the orders. We also need to “pull” about 350 bows…so keeping with the “theme” the more volunteers we have, the quicker we can get everything organized!!!  With just under 400 units, we will need all the help we can get, so bring your helpful swimmer(s) along with you!  (Even the littlest swimmers are excellent helpers at the wreath sale!

 

Sunday Afternoon, November 20 – volunteers needed by 11:30am at the JS YMCA for distribution and pick-up. If you aren’t available to help in the morning, please consider helping organize the distribution, pick-up and clean-up (boy there are a lot of pine needles after we get done!)  We need a minimum of 10 to 15 parents/swimmers to get the wreaths processed for pick-up.  Again, please send an email to smoore@pct.edu if you can help with this time. 

Veteran Parents…Please note ADJUSTED Pick-up hours are from 11:30am – 1:30pm.  ALL orders MUST be picked up by 1:30pm.

Day 3 - Jersey Shore Swimmers Finish Strong In Nittany Lion Aquatic Club Invitational

Results can be viewed here.

Warm-ups for the start of the Sunday aftenoon
session (click on photo to enlarge).

Stands begin to fill up the the Sunday aftenoon session of the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club Invitational at PSU's McCoy Natatorium (click on photo to enlarge).

Haven Area Aquatic Club coach, Joel Blesh, working with the Jersey Shore and Lock Haven
swimmers during warm-ups.



Jesey Shore teammates Emma, Kendra, and Sam cheer on Gabbie in lane 3 of the 50 yard
backstroke (click on photo to enlarge).



Gabbie encourges teammates Emma (lane 3) and Kendra (lane 4) during
the 100 yard breaststroke (click on photo to enlarge).

Day 2 - Jersey Shore Swimmers at the Nittany Lion Club Invitational

Jersey Shore and Lock Haven swimmers competed on Day 2 (Sat.) at the Nittany Lion Club Invitational at PSU's McCoy Natatorium.

Start of the girls 200 yard individual medley

Learning the Rules

Jersey Shore YMCA head coach, Dave Keegan, attended the Principles of YMCA Competitive Swimming and Diving training session at the Scranton YMCA yesterday.

Ironwomen

Jersey Shore swimmers opened up the competitive swim season on Friday night as they competed in the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club Invitational at Penn State's McCoy Natatorium.

Emma and Kendra all smiles before they tackle the grueling 400 individual medley

Jersey Shore's Number One Swim Fan

We'll Miss You Richard

Dick and Donna Bieda with two of thier grandkids, Emma and Jacob, at the
2011 YMCA States in Penn State's McCoy Natatorium.  Dick passed away today
from complications of a stroke.

Job Opening

No, this is not a position that is intimately tied to the Jersey Shore swimming community but it is one that has an important role in the future of the swim program.  The River Valley Regional YMCA in Jersey Shore is looking for a Branch Director and it would be nice to see someone in this position that is interested amd pays attention to the Jersey Shore YMCA winter swim team.  This is a team that has over 80 swimmers every winter and has been largely ignored by the Jersey Shore YMCA.  In addition, the JS school district has a swimming pool that is not fully utilized (beyond the use by the HS teams, phys ed classes, JS Communtiy Swim, and YMCA Winter Swim Team).  It would be great to see an individual with some initiative and new ideas to take the swimming program to a new level.

They are looking for a key person that will provide daily management, team leadership & mission
advancement to the Jersey Shore Branch YMCA. Salaried with benefits. For formal job description or to submit resume, email: ceo@rvrymca.org

On The Board!

Former Jersey Shore swimmer, Jenna Brooks, has made a name for herself with Lock Haven University's swim team by holding several records.  She holds the individual record in the 100 yard butterfly and is on several record holding relays; 200 and 400 freestyle and 200 and 400 medley relays.

Winter Swim Begins Tonight

Message from YMCA Winter Swim Team President, Andy Kitchen.

On a positive note, we have set it up for anyone who would be interested Tuesday and Thursday you can take your swimmer down to the Williamsport YMCA’s pool. We are going to be having a practice there both nights since our pool isn’t ready yet. Practice will be from 7:30 until 8:45. Please respond to myself or coach Dave if you plan on attending one or both of the nights. We have to give them a rough count of how many will be there. This will be for all age groups. This was just a way for us to get the kids in the water. Dave’s email is dekeegan1085@yahoo.com.

What a Bunch a Crap!

Did you happen to catch Harold Raker's sports column in the February 24, 2011 edition of the Daily Item?  In it, he states that "Wrestlers are the toughest of all high school athletes".  His arguement for the toughest athlete is that wrestlers have to make weight and need to watch caloric intake.  Since when does watching what you eat and making weight make a sport the 'toughest'?

No surprise in that 1) the Daily Item needs to sell newspapers (say something controversial) and 2) a male dominated sport is 'chosen' as the toughest.  What a great disservice to all the other male and FEMALE athletes that spend countless hours lifting weights, running the track, kicking the ball on the pitch, competing on travel teams, partcipating in core training, taking endless foul shots in the gym, and etc..........

The Jersey Shore Swim Blog will make no attempt to say that high school swimmers are the toughest athletes.  There are high school sports that have kids participating just for the organzied recreational opportunity and some give the minimum effort.  But every single sport also contains kids that pour their heart and soul into their effort to be the best that they can be.  The toughest athletes are those that practice hard and give it their all, whether it is on the wrestling mat or in the racing pool, not on how much you eat or don't eat.

League Expansion

It is pretty fascinating stuff as the college football landscape changes with conferences expanding and contracting. The Jersey Shore Swim Blog thought it would be interesting if we look at the four main summer swimming leagues in central Pennsylvania. There may come a time when some leagues have to combine as pools close and teams collapse. In the past three years, the Bald Eagle Swim League alone has lost South Williamsport, Montoursville, and Troy.

The map below shows the four leagues with color coded pins.  Click on the map to enlarge.

Summer Swim Team Leagues

Susquehanna Valley Swimming and Diving League (red pins)
Milton
Lewisburg
Central Columbia
Mifflinburg
Danville
Mt. Carmel
Selinsgrove
Shamokin
Sunbury/Northumberland

Bald Eagle Swim League (yellow pins)
Jersey Shore
Lock Haven
Williamsport
Wellsboro
Loyalsock
TriTown (Muncy, Montgomery, and Hughesville)

Central Pennsylvania Swim League (green pins)
Lewistown
Park Forest (State College)
Penns Valley (Milheim)
Welch (State College)
Science Park (State College)

Mountain Swim League (orange pins)
Dubois
Clearfield
Bellefonte
Huntingdon
Hollidaysburg
Tyrone
Menoher (Johnstown)
Sunnehanna CC (Johnstown)
Garver, Morrison’s Cove (Martinsburg)
St. Mary’s (Memorial SwimTeam)

Jersey Shore Winter Swim Team Sign-Ups Begin

New swim team coach Dave Keegan (far left) is ready to assist new swimmers with choosing this year's swim suits.  New winter swim team president, Andy Kitchen (middle), listens to swim team parent.

Swim team parents start filling out paperwork for the winter season.

Swim Clinic Teaches the Finer Points

Central Pennsylvania may not be the hotbed of aquatics activity like the Pittsburgh or Philly area but there are some top-notch opportunites to learn the finer points of swimming.  This past weekend, Duquesne swimming head coach Dave Sheets, returned to his boyhood stomping grounds to impart some of his knowledge to area swimmers.

What was really good for the kids is how he broke down each stroke.  You can only 'muscle' an event so far and then it is technique that seperates swimmers at the end.  Below is an outline of how the group worked on the freestyle stroke.

 

USA Swim Program Information Meeting - Part II

The first USA Swim meeting took place on a night that Keystone was playing in the Little League World Series.  Many folks we unable to attend the meeting as they went to the game.  As a result, there will be another family meeting on Monday, September 12th at 6:30pm in Zimmerli Room #7 on the campus of Lock Haven Universtiy

This will be a good opportunity to turn in and/or pick up all the required paperwork.  Paperwork can also be downloaded from the "Pages" on the upper left of this blog.

Swim practices will start on Wednesday, September 14th.

This meeting will pretty much be the exact same as our previous meeting, so if you attend that one please don't feel obligated to attend this one.

Jersey Shore YMCA Masters Looking for Swimmers

Yes, old guys (and girls) can swim.  The Jersey Shore YMCA Masters Swim Team is looking for swimmers this fall to compete in the Allegheny Mountain Y Masters Swim Association (AMYMSA).

Here's the link for the AMYMSA web site. On the left side is a link to the 2011-2012 season, which contains the schedule.

You may swim up to 4 events at each meet, and the cost for each meet is $7.00.  If interested call Steve Muthler at smuthler@comcast.net

Sign-Up Info for USA Swim Club in Lock Haven

There was an informational meeting held several days ago concerning the Haven Area Aquatic Club.  Below are several handouts.  Click to enlarge.  Other Haven Area Aquatic forms can be found at  "Pages" on the  left column of this blog.

Lock Haven Loggerheads Recognize Summer Swimmers

Many Jersey Shore and Lock Haven swimmers practice together, go to camps together, compete together, and compete against each other.   As a result of this close relationship between the two communities, swim team parent Rachelle Sheets will be a contributing blogger to this site.  Her postings will keep readers informed on events and happenings in Lock Haven area swimming.

The Lock Haven Loggerheads held their end of season “ice-cream” social at the Mill Hall Park on Tuesday night. There was a great turn out and a vast selection of toppings for the “make your own Sundae Bar”.

Awards were given out by Coach Joel and Coach Carol. All the swimmers received a “Loggerhead” certificate with their top times for the season. Special awards were given to the:

Top Swims of the Season

• Mikayla Sampson – 8 & under girls - 50 free, 2nd overall
• Mikayla Sampson, Haley Shadle, Evie Jane Rembold and Madison Bair – 8 & under girls – 100 Medley Relay – 2nd overall &100 Free Relay – 5th overall.

Top Summer Records Set Awards

• Nolan Dale – 14 & under boys - 50 free
• Ethan Dale – 12 & under boys - 50 breast
• McCartney Register – 12 & under girls – 50 fly

10 & under boys from left to right are Thomas Cygan,
Jonas Tomalonis, Logan Willams & Jordy Sheets. 
Click on photo to enlarge
Photo by Rebekah Cygan



Last but not least the 10 & under boys were given recognition for being undefeated in the League. They are: Igor Bittner, Thomas Cygan, Tobias Girton, James Riccardo, David Orndorf, Thomas Haftl, Jordy Sheets, Jonas Tomalonis & Logan Williams

A big Thank You to the Loggerhead Parents Association for organizing the event and purchasing the Loggerhead T-shirts for all the swimmers as their end of season gift!!

Swim Season Around the Corner

Jersey Shore Winter Swim Team sign-ups are scheduled for September 20 & 21 at the Jersey Shore YMCA from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. Check out this video to see the fun the kids have during the race season.

Click to enlarge

2011 Bald Eagle Swim League Undeafeated Age Groups - Girls 8-and-Under

The girls from the Jersey Shore Summer Swim Team won the Bald Eagle Swim League All-Stars and Championships on the back of 4 undefeated age groups.

The Jersey Shore 8-and-under girls  went undefeated in the Bald Eagle Swim League. Front row (left to right) Alexis Canellos, Meaghan Keegan, Allison Moore, Josie Gansell.  Back row, assistant coach Dave Keegan, Sarah Misquitta, Lily Dincher, Isabelle Griswold, Courtney Lehman, head coach Lee Thompson and assistant coach Mitch Thompson.  Not pictured Paige Hubbell, Abby Wall, Adalynn Wall, and Justice Wampler.