Jersey Shore YMCA Swimmers Recognized at Annual Banquet

The Jersey Shore YMCA Swim Team held their annual banquet this past Saturday to recognize volunteers and swimmers for their efforts during the winter swim season.   For many of these swimmers, their season began in November and ended in March. 

Head coaches Dave Keegan and Patty Kennelley started the program by recognizing all the parents, grandparents, and other relatives that helped with all the volunteer activities.  It took a true effort to make sure there were adequate officials and timers for each meet plus a crew to man the concession stands during home swims.

 

Age group captains (those swimmers that make sure the younger kids know their assigned races and get them to the starting blocks on time) were recognized.  Olivia Johnson was age group captain for the 8-and under girls; Olivia Edler for 8-and-under boys; Timber Merryman, Gabbie Moore, and Kendra White for the 10-and-girls; Sam Keegan for the 10-and-under boys; Sapphire Naugle for the 12-and-under girls; and Michael Panczyszyn for the 12-and-under boys.  Jessica Schwoyer was a fill-in age group captain throughout the season when needed. 

The head coaches then recognized the Most Valuable Swimmers for each age group; 8-and-under boys, Keller Griswold; 8-and-under girls, Sara Pecchia; 10-and-under boys, D.J. Steinbacher; 10-and-under girls, Taylor Fleming, Isabelle Griswold, and Jordan O’Connor; 12-and-under boys, Nash Berfield; 12-and-under girls, Emma Butzler and Sam Keegan; 14-and-under boys, Luke Engel; and 14-and-under girls, Gabbie Moore, Kendra White, and Olivia Edler.  The Rookie of the Year went to first time swimmer Madelyn Gerst. 

10-and-under girls show off their hardware from the
Central District YMCA meet at the Jersey Shore
Swim Team banquet, left to right are
Jordon O’Connor, Isabelle Griswold, Taylor Fleming,
and Meaghan Keegan.

Keegan and Kennelley also recognized the huge contingent of swimmers that made District times and travelled to York, Pennsylvania to compete.  Making the Jersey Shore District team were Meaghan Keegan, Allison Moore, Nash Berfield, Allison Panczyszyn, Luke Engel, Olivia Edler, Timber Merryman, Kendra White, Zach Lehman, Evan Moore, Michael Panczyszyn, Isabella Hale, Trynity Lehman, and Hannah Stemler.  In addition to  making the District team, the following swimmers swam fast enough to advance onto YMCA States; Taylor Fleming, Isabelle Griswold, Jordon O’Connor, Emma Butzler, Sam Keegan, Gabbie Moore, and Cody Schwoyer. 

 

The final recognition of the evening was the Way To Go Awards.  These awards are for swimmers who dropped over five seconds in an event.  The following swimmers earned this award; Olivia Edler, 7.15 seconds (sec) - 200 IM; Taylor Fleming, 6 sec - 100 IM; Gabbie Moore, 7.64 sec - 200 back, Gabbie Zydallas, 7 sec – 50 free; Dayanaira Watson, 5.21 sec – 100 free; Kaden Robinett, 10.75 sec – 25 back and 22.75 sec – 25 free; Caleb Moore, 6.25 sec – 100 free; Meaghan Keegan, 5.17 sec – 100 breast; Luke Merryman, 7.06 sec – 100 free, Katie Hendricks, 7.80 sec – 50 free and 5.75 sec – 50 back; Tyler Bubb, 6.75 sec – 50 free; Keller Griswold, 5.65 sec – 25 back; Elizabeth Fishel, 8.75 sec – 50 back; Cameron Fishel, 13.11 sec – 25 free and 46.56 sec – 50 free; Willow Eveland, 21.90 sec – 25 free; Max Dincher, 5.19 sec – 25 back; Lily Dincher, 5.12 sec – 50 back; Kayli Berry, 6.12 sec – 50 breast; and Natalie Charnego, 8.10 sec – 100 IM.

 

The coaches have a Most Improved Swimmer Award that takes into account not only swimming times but attitudes. These swimmers were Willow Eveland, Cameron Fishel, Kaden Robinett, Lily Dincher, Nash Berfield, Allison Panczyszyn, and Timber Merryman.