Run and Support Local USA Swimming Program

Looking to Swim in a Larger Pond?

While swimming in the local winter and summer leagues is fun, there is a bigger world of swimming out there.  Check out two central PA USA swim clubs.  Lock Haven is starting up a USA club and more information can be found here.  Williamsport also has a club and their information can be found below.

Lock Haven YMCA Accepted As USA Swimming Club

No longer will local swimmers have to choose between representing the YMCA or a USA Swim club.  They now can do both at the Lock Haven Y.  Welcome the latest area swim club, LHAY.  Below is a message from Rebekah Cygan, president of the Clinton County Swim Association.

Hello Swim Families-

 

We are excited to announce that the Lock Haven Area YMCA has been accepted as a USA Swimming Club with the Middle Atlantic Region! We are excited as this will provide additional opportunities for competition for Loggerheads who are ready for the "next level".

 

Our YMCA Loggerhead team will continue as is. If you are a member of the Y team, you will compete with our YMCA team in our local YMCA league. Team fees will be the same as they have always been and YMCA membership is a requirement. USA Swimming is an additional cost, and the team will participate in several meets a year. The meets will also be an additional cost to the participant.

 

Swimmers can now also join USA Swimming with a yearly membership fee of $60. You must also be a US citizen. This fee allows you to compete in any USA meet anywhere in the country. You also get mailings and other things that give your more information about the sport of swimming. Your times are also kept in a national data base. USA meets are in general more competetive than YMCA swim meets, though this is not always the case. There are Motivational Time Standards (here, look at page 3 for short course yard times to compare to what our swimmers usually swim) for different ages. If the swimmer's time in a particular event meets this time standard, you are considered "A" or "B" level in that event. USA meets are often labeled, "A and B" Meet  (which would mean you would need to be at least that fast to compete in this meet). There are also "A, B and C" meets which allow swimmers who have not yet achieved these time standards to compete. There are also "Elite" meets which have even faster time standards...(getting the picture?)

 

If you desire to participate in USA Swimming, you need to fill out the form and submit a check for $60 (payable to CCSA, here). Any meets that our team participates in will have a cost (say $6 per event) which will also be the responsibility of the swimmer. If you already have a USA swimming membership, but want to transfer your status to LHAY (that is our club code/name), please fill out the attached form (here).

 

USA Swimming is not for all our swimmers...you need to decide if this is something your swimmer and family want to participate in...it is not required to be a Loggerhead!

 

As this is our first year, we will more than likely participate in more USA meets during Spring, Summer and Fall of 2014 (as our YMCA meet schedule has us busy already!). We will post a schedule soon to the website.

 

If you are not sure if you have signed up yet or not for USA Swimming, please contact me. We will discuss it further and the meet schedule at our next CCSA meeting on Monday, January 6th, at 6pm at the YMCA.

 

I hope this is clear to everyone. If you have more questions, please contact any of our coaches or myself. I would like to send in a batch of applications for our swimmers by 1/6/14...so please consider this in a timely manner!

 

 

See you at the pool,

 

Rebekah Cygan

President

Clinton County Swim Association

www.clintoncountyswim.org

Shore Swimmer Top Ten In Middle Atlantic USA Swimming Times

Jersey Shore swimmer, Emma Butzler, has cracked top ten USA times for the Mid-Atlantic region in several events in her age group.  At this point in the season, her 100 and 200 yard butterfly are top five.   Middle Atlantic top ten times can be found here.  

Jersey Shore Swimmer Cracks Top Ten in Mid-Atlantic Long Course

Jersey Shore swimmer, Emma Butzler, cracked the top ten in the 100 meter butterfly (long course) for the Mid-Atlantic region.  You can go here to view other top ten times in all age groups and events.

click on table to enlarge

Long Course Classic Trials and Finals at Bucknell University This Weekend

Several Jersey Shore and Williamsport swimmers are competing in the Long Course Classic Trials/Finals meet at Bucknell this weekend. Races can be watched in real time here along with results for the three day event here.

Williamsport USA swimmer, Emma Butzler, taking the top spot in her heat

Rain? No Matter To USA Swimmers

USA swimmers from the Jersey Shore, Lock Haven, and Williamsport area braved the early morning hour and rain to get in a practice at Loyalsock's long course pool.  Head coach Sue Smith (right side of picture, under umbrella) didn't feel the love for the water this morning.

Jersey Shore Swimmer Swims At the Jersey Shore

One of the great aspects of USA Swimming is being part of a large family.  The family is all over the US and where ever a swimmer travels, there is usually a USA team and practice facility nearby.  Emma Butzler, a Jersey Shore (PA) swimmer, was able to catch some training time at the Jersey Shore with the USA Swim Team Crest Dolphins in Wildwood, NJ during the cool and rainy weather.

Jersey Shore has a USA Swim Team in nearby Williamsport and information on that club can be found on their Facebook page here or their webpage here.

Jersey Shore Swimmer Takes Top Spot in Girl's 100 Yard Butterfly At West Shore Meet

Results of the meet can be viewed here.

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. 

Watch The Olympics With Other Swimmers

Going Long!

Jersey Shore and Williamsport swimmers took a stab at Penn State's long course at the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club's Swim Fest 2012 June 21-23

Warming up!

left to right, Williamsport's USA swim coach Sue Smith,
Margaret, Emma, Lydia

Run On Land For Those In The Water

A March Madness 5K walk-run fundraiser to benefit the Balls Mills Soccer Club and the Williamsport Area Swim Club will begin at 10 a.m. March 17 at Heshbon United Methodist Church, 2898 Heshbon Road.

Registration is from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m.

Costs are $20 per person or $15 for a registered U.S. Swimmer or Balls Mills Soccer Club player. The course is completely flat and is great for both families and individuals.

Prizes will be awarded for the first three overall male and female finishers, and for various age groups.

The Williamsport Area Swim Club offers youth a year-round training program from beginners to advanced competitors.

WASC is part of the U.S. swim program, a national organization that provides the structure and meets for youth to qualify for different levels of competition, including the Junior Olympics.

In addition to participating in several meets at places like Penn State University, last year seven area swimmers competed in an open water swim and a triathlon outside of Allentown. One student also qualified for and participated in the Junior Olympics.

"The March Madness 5K run-walk helps support youth in our club who want to participate in competitions," said Sue Smith, coach for the Swim Club. "We began the March Madness 5K run-walk to help support youth of all backgrounds who want to swim and play soccer, though both sports are ones that minorities do not traditionally participate in."

For more information, visit www.ballsmillssoccer.org or email shauntandsuzy@msn.com.

Jersey Shore Swim Parents - Will Travel to Water

In order for Jersey Shore swimmers to get to all the meets this past very busy weekend (YMCA Pentathlon at LHU, USA Last Chance Meet at PSU, and High School PIAA District 4 meet at Bucknell U., see results here) they usually need a parent or two to cart them around. 

Swim parent Shelley Moore saw it all this past weekend!  Look at her pictures as she travelled around central Pennsylvania to catch all the Jersey Shore swimming action.

USA Nittany Lion Aquatic Club Last Chance Swim Meet at PSU pictures here

Lock Haven YMCA Pentathlon pictures here

Jersey Shore High School District 4 PIAA at Bucknell University pictures here

Jersey Shore Swimmers - Will Travel To Water

Great weekend for Jersey Shore swimmers as they were all over the place competing as the season winds down.

High school swimmers were at Bucknell University for two days of swimming at the District 4 PIAA swim meet.   Congratulations to Ian Endresen who won the 100 yard breaststroke and advanced to the PIAA States.  Results can be viewed here.

Many Jersey Shore YMCA swimmers participated in the Zoltolski Pentathlon on Saturday at Lock Haven University's Zimmereli Pool.  Congratulations to Meagan Keegan for winning the 8-and-under girls.    Results can be viewed here.

Several of the Jersey Shore swimmers in the USA Haven Area Aquatic Club ventured over to the 2-day USA Last Chance Meet  at Penn State's McCoy Natatorium to try their hand at some non-traditional YMCA events.  Results can be viewed here.

Jersey Shore Swimmers With Another Busy Weekend

Jersey Shore swimmers had another busy weekend as the bulk of the swimmers took on East Lycoming YMCA this past Sunday where they fell 7-3.  Swimmer’s times can be found here (other times for past dual meets can be found over on the left hand side under 'Pages').  A couple of Jersey Shore swimmers traveled down to New Jersey for the USA Swimming Age Group Elite Meet where the results can be found here.

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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



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.

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.

USA Swim Program Information Meeting

Plenty of athletes in Jersey Shore and the surrounding area look for that ‘edge’ to take them to the next level. Often, that edge is advanced training and more competitive competition.

Some Jersey Shore soccer players travel over to Beech Creek to participate in the Soccer Training Network, a year-round program that has professional coaching and a structured curriculum. Local wrestlers travel to Lock Haven’s Mat-Town, also a year round program that has top-notch coaching and training methods. Some Shore basketball players travel over to State College to participate in a travel AAU program while Shore softball players join up with central PA travel teams such as the Gravediggers to experience a high level of competition.

So where do swimmers go? Last year, Lock Haven University’s swim coach Andy Waeger started a USA swim program to improve the level of swimming in central Pennsylvania. With one year under his belt, the program has been very successful as he was able to produce a YMCA State Winner this past March.

If you are interested, there is going to be a family / informational team meeting on Wednesday 8/17 at 6pm at the Zimmerli Classroom #8. (this is the same building as the pool). Check it out!