Local Jersey Shore and Williamsport Swimmers Compete in Junior Olympics

The summer 2012 Olympic Games are in full swing in London, England.  In order to get there, American swimmers were had to participate in the U.S. Olympic Trials, at the end of June, to determine the USA Olympic swim team.  These swimmers were all involved in USA Swimming which is the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming.  Locally, there are two USA swim clubs; the Haven Area Aquatics Club (HAAC) and the Williamsport Area Swim Club (WASC). 

Back from left to right: WASC coach Sue Smith, Scotti,
Shaun, and Kristina.  Front row: Keith, Emma, and Lydia

Members of these clubs include local swimmers who want to compete locally, regionally, and nationally.  HAAC and WASC are members of the Middle Atlantic USA swimming.  These swimmers compete in meets held across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland.  Depending on the swimmer’s times, they are invited to compete in highly competitive swim meets that include the best swimmers in the Middle Atlantic.  The culmination of the season is the Junior Olympic swim meet.  Junior Olympics are held in March for short course yard events and July for long course meter events.  This summer several local USA swimmers achieved this high honor and competed at Penn State in the Middle Atlantic Long Course Junior Olympics.  The following swimmers competed in the following events at Penn State at the end of July:

Shaun Smith:  50 m, 100 m, and 200 m freestyle, 100 m and 200 m fly, 200 individual medley, 100 m breaststroke

Lydia Smith:  50 m and 200 m freestyle and 50 butterfly

Kristina Reis: 50 m freestyle

Keith Reis:  50 m breaststroke

Emma Butzler:  50 m , 100 m,  and 200 m butterfly, 100 m breaststroke, 200 m individual medley, 200 m and 100 m freestyle, 50 m and 100 m backstroke. 

Scotti Smith:  100 m and 200 m breaststroke and 200 m individual medley

"These swimmers have been in the water working hard since May", said WASC coach Sue Smith.  "This meet was a great opportunity for them to race against the top swimmers in the region". 

If your child is interested in swimming for either USA team, contact Joel at joelblesh@gmail.com or call Andy at 484-2820 for the HAAC team or Lori at 570-337-9753 or visit www.swimwasc.com to inquire at WASC.