USA Swim Team Practice Set in Preparation for Inaugural Meet

USA's Haven Area Aquatic Club is setting the practice schedule for the week leading up to its first swim meet,the Nittany Lion Fall Kick-Off, since the inception of the club.

Monday
5:45 - 7pm - blue/gold group

Tuesday
5:45 - 7pm - gold
6-7pm - white

Wednesday
5:45 - 7pm - blue/gold group

Thursday
5:45 - 7pm - gold
6-7pm - white

Friday
5:45 - 7pm - blue/gold group

Saturday (meet at PSU)
Please adhere to the following schedule.

• Warm Ups - begin at 1:30pm ... please arrive no later than 1:30pm. We will warm up as a team.
• Session begins at 2:15pm.

Sunday (meet at PSU)

• the morning session please arrive no later than 8:15am ... warm ups begin at 7:30 and the meet begins at 9:00am.
• the afternoon session (exact same as Saturday)
• Warm Ups - begin at 1:30pm ... please arrive no later than 1:30pm. Session begins at 2:15pm.

General information for the meet @ Penn State
~meet is being held at the McCoy Natatorium
~parking will be available in the near by parking garages ... there is a charge for parking
~food and some PSU apparel will be for sale
~admission is $4 per session ... heat sheet is included in the price of admission

Team suit and cap is required

10 Year Vision Becomes Reality

Click on record board to enlarge

There was always idle talk about placing a record board in the Jersey Shore High School pool to replace the small one near the swimming pool entrance. About 10 years ago, several parents decided to make the dream become reality. An effort led by Sue Thompson and Sharon Koch led the swim team booster club into numerous fundraising efforts to accumulate funds for the project.

On November 1, 2010, swim team parents Sue Thompson and Danette McPherson, along with Jersey Shore Athletic Director Bill Mincer, placed the names, dates, and times onto the new board. The ultimate vision was to also have a pool record board, but because of costs, the group concentrated on just the high school records. That part of pool records will need to be taken up by another group of parents.

Records are meant to be broken! Good luck to the 2010-2011 high school team in chasing those times!

Mandatory Parents Meeting and Meet & Greet Night!

Mandatory Parents Meeting and Meet & Greet Night for the JS YMCA Winter Swim Team
When: Tuesday, November 9th
Where: JS High School – outside the pool area
Time: Both Practices – beginning at 6pm & 7pm

You have met the coaches – now it is time to meet the Winter YMCA Swim Team Advisory Committee!

Have you heard the coined phrase ... "ARE you ready?” Coaches of many different sports use this to prepare players – in this case our swimmers – for their seasonal workouts – are they ready to start the season? Swimmers need to be ready for stretching workouts, swimming laps, dry land exercise and much more. The same question needs to be asked of the parents for the booster club activities ... are YOU ready?

In order to have a successful season, we need parent volunteers. A LOT of parent volunteers because the advisory committee cannot do it alone.

Items to discuss during our Meet & Greet:
• Volunteer Timers/Officials
• Volunteer Concession Stand Workers
• Completing our Fundraisers
• Outfitting Your Swimmer: Our Clothing Sale
• CHAMPIONSHIPS!
• End of the Season Banquet!

Are you READY?

Please join us at one of the sessions, Tuesday, November 9th for refreshments, to learn important team information AND to learn how you can help to make a difference for your swimmer and the entire team.

Hope to see you there!

YMCA Swim Team Advisory Committee

Can You Spot the Differences?

Look closely at the picture below and see if you can pick out the differences between the two. The picutre on the left was taken on Tuesday night, October 19 while the picture on the right was taken two days later on Thursday night, October 21. Click on the picture to enlarge and see the differences a little better.

Give up?

1. Head coach Patty Kennelley is wearing a red shirt on deck in the left picture while she is wearing a gray shirt on the right.
2. The swimmers are in the water in the left while they are on deck in the right picture.
3. A record board appears in the right picture while there was none two days before.

That's right! Previously, if you wanted to look at the Jersey Shore High School Swim records, you had to exit the pool and go into the lobby. If you looked very carefully, you could read the records on a small 8" x 11.5" plague beside the pool door.

The Jersey Shore Swim blog will post another picture as soon as the names, times, and dates are entered onto the new record board.

Background and Philosophy of JS's New High School Swim Coach

Leland Thompson was four years old when he was jogging with his dad past Jersey Shore Borough’s outdoor pool. Like most young minds, he had a lot of questions and wanted to know what was going on in the pool and why kids were swimming back and forth. To satisfy is son’s curiosity; Mike Thompson took him into the pool area and talked to the summer swim team coach. The next day, Lee was swimming on the team and has been involved in the sport since that day.

Thompson’s latest swimming experience will take place this winter as he takes the helm of the Jersey Shore boys and girls swim team from long time coach Lou Anne Gasperine.

The high school didn’t have to look far to find a successful candidate. Thompson was a standout swimmer during his four year career at Jersey Shore. During his junior year, he was part of two relays that made it to the 2004 PIAA States; the 200 yard medley relay and the 200 yard freestyle relay with teammates Eric Gephart, Mike Smith, and Brandon Davidson. The foursome was able to capture fifth place in the 200 yard medley relay.

“We really worked hard our senior year as we saw potential with our relay,” said Thompson. The hard worked paid off as all four swimmers made States in individual events but also competed in the two relays. Hard work pushed their 200 yard medley relay to a fourth place finish.

His successful high school career propelled him to the next level and swam competitively for Slippery Rock University where he was a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference medalist. Unfortunately, the sports world came crashing down at SRU as nine varsity sports were eliminated, including men and women’s swimming.

“I still wanted to swim so I transferred to Clarion University,” said Thompson. “It was a wonderful experience but I was starting to concentrate more on the sport and as a result, my academics suffered.” He hung up his swim trunks and headed closer to home to work on his Health and Physical Education degree at Lock Haven University.

The sport still had a pull on him. “I became a volunteer high school coach at Jersey Shore two years ago under Head coach Gasperine in which I helped organize practices and meets. I got a feel for the opposite spectrum of swimming,” said Thompson. “Last year, I started to work with the more advanced swimmers and took on even more responsibilities. I fell in love with swimming again.”

Thompson also gained some coaching experience by working with the Jersey Shore Summer Swim Team under head coach Patty Kennelley. “This is a large group, over 100 kids, and this allowed me to gain some experience with kids of all ages and swimming abilities,” said Thompson.

As Thompson moves through his college experience, he recognizes the importance of academics. “I want the kids to do well not only in the pool but the classroom. Regardless if they go to Districts and/or States, I want them to grow as an individual and be a better person and student.”

Shore has always had some top notch swimmers. Last year the girls placed third in District IV Championships while the boys finished eight. The girls also placed in the top fifteen in PIAA States by capturing thirteenth place. “We are a little lacking on depth. We take a lot of first place finishes in dual meets but have trouble picking up points with fourth and fifth place finishes,” said Thompson. One of his first orders of business is to increase the size of the team. “I hope to work with other student-athletes to see if they want to cross train and use swimming as that platform.”

In addition Thompson also hopes to increase participation in morning practices and dryland training. Work out of the pool will include weight and endurance training.

“I have big shoes to fill,” said Thompson. “I learned a lot under coach Gasperine and Jeri Demel (assistant coach) and hope to continue the winning tradition for Jersey Shore Swimming.”

YMCA Swimmers Start Season

The coaches had their hands full the first day of practice as both the early session (younger kids) and later session (older kids) were full.

Swimmers hang out at the wall as assistant coach Steve Sheets gives the kids their next drill.TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS AND SEE OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER PRACTICE SCHEDULES CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW.

Enjoy a College Swim Meet

Swim team parent, Shelley Moore, passed on an interesting article from Swimnetwork (a collection of swimming blogs, features, news, activities, etc.). This article located here talks about the status of college swim programs as budgets are tightened.

"The reality is that no collegiate swim teams are safe anymore. Not in this economy. Not with growing budget crises across the nation. Many of the readers on this website are themselves current, future, or former collegiate swimmers. We all know the joys and benefits of swimming at the NCAA level," says the author.

Swimming is not the only sport on the chopping block. Cal-Berkeley dropped baseball, gymnastics, and womens' lacrosse. It is interesting to note that one of the hardest hit men's sports is wrestling as hundreds of programs have been dropped over the past couple of decades.

To support swimming, the blog article states that every swimmer should attend at least one local college swim meet. In light of that suggestion, meet schedules for Lock Haven University, Bucknell University, Penn State University, and Lycoming College are posted below.
TO VIEW SWIM SCHEDULES CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW.

Swimmers Tackle Corn Maze

It was a great weekend as several Jersey Shore swimming families took advantage of the warm, sunny weekend to tackle the corn maze at Ard's Farm Market.TO VIEW OTHER PHOTOS OF THE CORN MAZE TRIP, THEN CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW.

Haven Area Aquatic Time Trials

Several swimmers from Jersey Shore participated in the Haven Area Aquatic Time Trials in preparation for the upcoming USA Swimming season. Below, Gabbie M. (kneeling), Emma B., Sam K., and Olivia (standing left to right)surround assistant coach Joel Blesh as they cheer on fellow Jersey Shorian, Kendra W. Kendra wanted to test her mettle in the 500 yard freestyle.

Hey Jersey Shore Swimmers - Get Lost....

....In a Corn Maze.

Looking for a for a good weekend family activity! Join us as we venture down to Ard’s Farm Market and tangle with their 5 acre corn maze on October 16. This year’s theme is a Wild West Adventure. See picture below.

For those interested in going, we are going to meet at the Jersey Shore Borough Outdoor Pool at 11:30 AM. We’ll travel to the farm market in convoy and spend a couple of hours at the site. In addition to the maze, there are several other activities such as a 95 ft. tube slide, rope maze, web maze, tile maze, and small corn maze, along with the fun barn, corn cannon, and the Lost Goat Mine (fossil digging and gem mine sluicing).

Visit their web page at http://www.ardsmarket.com/ for more information. ADMISSION: $9.00 adults; $8.00 children ages 2-12

Directions will be handed out in case you get lost as we travel down but here are directions just in case. The farm is located in Central Pennsylvania on Rt 45, halfway between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg. For your GPS, the address is 4803 Old Turnpike Rd, Lewisburg, PA 17837. Take Rt 15 to Lewisburg. When in Lewisburg, head West at Rt 45 for 3 miles. It will be on your left hand side.

Haven Area Aquatic Club Sets Race Schedule

Lock Haven's first USA Swimming club has set the race schedule for 2010-2011. The group is going to venture down east for a few swim meets but will also swim in its' own backyard with two meets in the State College area. The meet schedule is below. Also take a look at the gear for swimmers and parents. Click on forms to enlarge.

Winter Swim Team Wreath Sales

Find a youth organization and you will also find a fundraising activity right behind it. The Jersey Shore YMCA Winter Swim Team has an excellent fundraiser, Christmas wreaths. These look great on the entrance door during the festive season and also make great gifts to family and friends. Please support you local swimmer by purchasing a few wreaths. The order forms are below,just click on forms to enlarge.

Updated - 2010 - 2011 YMCA Winter Swim Meet Schedule Released

The winter swim team schedule has been updated. Click on schedules to enlarge.

Mill Hall Borough Pool Renovation - Moving Forward

It was standing room only last night as kids and parents flooded the Mill Borough Meeting Hall to support renovation plans for the outdoor borough pool. Parents kicked it off by listing the monetary support for the project.

• First National Bank CD - $86,000
• M&T Bank - $3,600
• Clinton County Government - $10,000
• Mill Hall Borough - $10,000 (2 separate funds)
  

This brings money to the table of $139,300

In addition, there are two ADA Community Block Grants for an additional $100,000 that brings the total to $240,000. That money can now be leveraged to apply for a DCNR matching grant (which matches up to $300,00). Now with matching, there is almost $480,000 available. The estimate for renovation (now without wading pool) of pool and bathhouse is $485,000.

The conversation that ensued was something out of a movie as Clinton County Commissioner, Tom Bossert, and the solicitor for Mill Hall went around in a circle on the issue of 'Line of Credit' and 'guarantor'

Several audience members gave passionate responses on the potential absence of the pool. The big one was where would the kids swim without a pool. They were very concerned that many would head to unsupervised waters, such as Fishing Creek, and envision a future headline of a child drowning. Several letters of support from the community were passed around to the audience and borough officials. Click on letters of support to enlarge.

A local LHU student mentioned that the local college students do not have access to the university pool during the summer months and use the Mill Hall Borough pool to cool off.

It appears, after a long discussion and debate that the project will move forward. The Mill Hall Borough has agreed to get the bids and the proper permits around to greenlight the project of renovating the Mill Hall Pool. It was stressed to the Council that the they would not be stuck for any overages because the fundraising efforts will continue. In fact, fundraising will be easier because it can now be said that the renovations moving forward. The money is there. But it is in the form of $$$ that needs to have a show of work done before they will release any money! So this has been quite a process.

If anyone would like to come on board with the 'Friends of the Mill Hall Pool', please call Carol Matheney - 570-748-7199 or Kelly McGhee - 570-295-4281 OR if you have any great fundraising ideas please give them a call.

Complete coverage of the meeting can be located on the Lock Haven Express' on-line newspaper here.

It's Official - New JS Girls/Boys Swimming Head Coach

If you recall, the first posting on this blog (May 27) was the announcement for the Girls/Boys Swimming Head Coach position and can be viewed here . After searching for nearly four months, Jersey Shore reached into their backyard and plucked one of their own. The Jersey Shore School Board appointed Leland Thompson to the position of Girls/Boys Swimming Head Coach at last night's school board meeting.

2010 - 2011 YMCA Winter Swim Meet Schedule Released

Click on schedule to enlarge.

Do Or Die For Mill Hall Comunity Pool

I just read an article in the Friday, September 24, 2010 USA Today and it surprised me. The title of the article was Study:USA is fattest among advanced countries. It states in the article that "2/3s of people in this country are overweight or obese". The thing that surprised me is that we are still seeing articles like this in the news. How much longer will we be exposed to these type of articles? I just don't think it is news anymore. And I also don't think most Americans really care.

When I go and visit my in-laws, I take some walks through some sub-divisions. Houses are squished onto 1/8 or 1/4 acre lots. That is fine as I understand the need to do this for a variety of reasons. I'm amazed, though, that there is no open space for a good kickball game or capture the flag. If you link up a couple of backyards, you might have an area of some size but invariably someone puts a fence up and space becomes segmented.

It is almost like we, as a society, are intentionally trying to limit healthy lifestyles for our kids. Let's look at a local case.

The Community Pool at Mill Hall is in bad shape and badly needs renovated. The volunteer group, Friends of the Community Pool at Mill Hall, run the 39-year-old facility and have been raising money toward the local match in order to get the needed repairs. The volunteer group states they have funding and the money to get it done. Borough officials just don't seem interested in working with the volunteer group to get it done. You can follow some of the news article in the Lock Haven Express here and here.

Does the Lock Haven area want to have a venue that kids can go to during the summer? A place where they can have fun and get some physical activity in? Or is the community going to limit swimming to those who can afford a pool in the back yard while the rest of you can go find a river or creek.

It is do or die for the Community Pool at the Borough Meeting on Tuesday 09/28/10 at 7:30 PM. If you think the pool is important for youth in the area, then show up and convince Mill Hall Borough this needs to be SAVED!!!

Honestly, it doesn't surprise me at all that we are becoming a fat nation.

Jersey Shore Swimmers Pound Out the Yardage

Several Jersey Shore swimmers started their first full week of USA Swimming at the Haven Area Aquatic Club at Lock Haven University. Head coach Andy Waeger (left) and his assistant Joel Blesh (right) give the girls their next drill. Jersey Shore swimmers left to right are Kendra White, Gabbie Moore, Emma Butzler, and Sam Keegan. Fifth swimmer is from Lock Haven. Kim Waeger, team director, looks on.

Community Pool in Mill Hall in Danger of Closing - FOREVER

Interesting article in today's Lock Haven Express on the future of the Mill Hall Community Pool. The article proceeds to say that "Borough Council gave the Friends two weeks to turn in a written financial plan showing where the money will come from to pay contractors, interest on loans (if any) and anything unexpected that may arise during the project." The Friends are a volunteer group at Mill Hall that run the 39-year-old facility and have been raising money towards a new pool.

So apparently, Mill Hall Borough Council has drawn a line in the sand. So it could be that the nearby population of over 25,000 people might be out of luck(this figure is obtained by adding the populations of Lock Haven, the boroughs of Mill Hall, Flemington, and Beech Creek, the townships of Castanea, Bald Eagle, Beech Creek, Porter, Lamar, Allison, Woodward, Colebrook,and the unincorporated areas of Castenea and Dunnstown).

So if a family has the financial ability to buy and maintain their own swimming pool, no big deal. The rest of you? Go find a stream or river to cool off in! Maybe the poolless could join the residents of Montoursville (view the following blog postings 1, 2, and 3).

Swimming is on the Horizon

Winter Swim Team sign-ups started today at the YMCA. Below is the scene as swimmers and parents get all the paperwork in order. The sign up table is being staffed by Michelle White, Shelley Moore, and Cathy and Fletcher Farr.

Local Swim Clinics

Jerry Hammaker (ASCA Certified, CSCAA), Head Coach of Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Assistant Athletic Director at Lycoming College, is holding a series of swim clinics starting this fall and extending into spring. The first series starts in September and works on all strokes and their associated turns. See the brochure below for more information on times and cost. Click on brochure to enlarge.
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Lyco Swim Clinic Brochure Click on brochure to enlarge

He also plans on several other training sessions later in the swim calendar. This is a great way to pick up some of the technical aspects of each stroke. You can only muscle through a race so much and then it comes down to who has a more efficient stroke. Stay tuned!

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.
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