Cool Looking GSVAL 2015 Championship T-shirt Design

Carnival Relays Coming to Central Pennsylvania

Something different and exciting for area summer swimmers.  The Greater Susquehanna Valley Aquatic League 2015 Relay Carnival will replace the All-Star Meet (which was just another swim meet with the same events as any other meet).  Check out the events for this relay meet here.  It should be a good time for all.

Flashback Friday - Jersey Shore v Loyalsock

Several years of blogging have occurred at the Jersey Shore Swim blog with over 1000 stories and articles posted.  With that in mind, the Jersey Shore Swim blog will occasionally pull out an occasional favorite or interesting item from the archives to share with readers (plus some interesting old stuff never posted) in a series called Flashback Friday.

Jersey Shore looks to get back on the winning track against Loyalsock next week.  Here is a look at the 2010 match-up between the two Lycoming rivals.

Lock Haven Loggerhead Apparel Now Available

Very nice selection of Lock Haven Loggerhead with a nice, new logo for the Summer Swim Team.  sale sheet can be found here

Wins and Losses in GSVAL Match-ups Last Night

With 9-1 scores, Jersey Shore falls to Wellsboro and Lock Haven wins third swim meet over Williamsport.  Jersey Shore age group scores can be viewed here.  Lock Haven age group scores can be viewed here and meet results here.

Jersey Shore Falls to Lock Haven

Jersey Shore lost their annual match-up in the Greater Susquehanna Valley Aquatic Swim League to Lock Haven, 9-1.  Only the boys 15-and-over age group were able to pull out a win.  Full results can be viewed here.

Annual 'It's a Long Ride Home' Was a Looong Ride Home

July 4th weekend means it's time for the annual It's a Long Ride Home bike trip on the Pine Creek Rails to Trails for area swimmers and other athletes.  Yesterday's excursion was one of the more challenging trips on the trail with several flat tires, broken equipment, two bicycles accidents, and a visit to the doctors office.

2015 participants in the annual bike ride on Pine Creek Rails to Trails

Previous It's a Long Ride Home editions can be found below.
2014, here
2013, here
2012, here
2011, here

Flash Back Friday - The Annual Jersey Shore V Lock Haven Showdown

Several years of blogging have occurred at the Jersey Shore Swim blog with over 1000 stories and articles posted.  With that in mind, the Jersey Shore Swim blog will occasionally pull out an occasional favorite or interesting item from the archives to share with readers (plus some interesting old stuff never posted) in a series called Flashback Friday.

Every year, the Jersey Shore summer swim team meets up with their counterparts across Pine Creek.  In years past, the team was called the Mill Hall Muskrats but now go by the name Lock Haven Loggerheads.  Five years ago, Jersey Shore thumped their opponent 10-0.  Last night, the Loggerheads has the upper hand and cruised to a 9-1 win.

Flashback Friday – CalU Swim Camp

Several years of blogging have occurred at the Jersey Shore Swim blog with over 900 stories and articles posted.  With that in mind, the Jersey Shore Swim blog will occasionally pull out an occasional favorite or interesting item from the archives to share with readers (plus some interesting old stuff never posted) in a series called Flashback Friday.

It is almost the end of the school year in central Pennsylvania with summer temperatures already here.  The start of the summer swim season officially starts next week but some swimmers are already thinking of swim camp.  It is a chance to meet new friends and pick up some technique.  More importantly, it is a chance to get a break from mom and dad (or is it mom and dad get a break from the kids).

The PA Swimming site (here) has an excellent list of swim camps that are occurring in Pennsylvania.  Several swimmers from Jersey Shore and the Lock Haven area have been to many of these camps.

Flashback Friday takes a look at one of the camps at California University (PA) that a group of swimmers attended the past several years.

Day 1 here and here

Day 3 here

Day 4 here

Day 5 here

Go here for more info on the California University of Pennsylvania swim camp

Summer Swim Lessons at Jersey Shore Community Pool

Swim Lyco Swim Clinic

Jersey Shore High School Looking for New Swim Coach

Jersey Shore's head swim coach, Colt Coffman, is moving on to face another challenge this summer. He left behind a program that  is growing and more talent is in the pipeline.  This past year, two swimmers traveled to the PIAA State Meet (where one made the medal stand) and both are returning for several more years.

If interested in coaching this group of swimmers, go here for announcement and here for application.  Deadline is May 15.

Williamsport Summer Swim Team Looking for Coaches (and new swimmers)

Another Central PA Community Pool Falls By The Wayside

The list of closed pools is growing for the area.  Williamsport's East End Pool closed last year (here) and the Montoursville closed several years ago (here).

Lock Haven Swimmers Crack Top 10 in Middle Atlantic USA Swimming

Fine Tuning the Strokes - Swim Clinic

Williamsport's Open Water Swim Scheduled for August

The supervised open water swim in the West Branch of the Susquehanna will take place as part of the Lumberjack Triathlon on August 9.  More information can be found here.  Last years results can be found here.

Flash Back Friday - It's Been A Long, Long Time

Several years of blogging have occurred at the Jersey Shore Swim blog with over 900 stories and articles posted.  With that in mind, the Jersey Shore Swim blog will occasionally pull out an occasional favorite or interesting item from the archives to share with readers (plus some interesting old stuff never posted) in a series called Flashback Friday.

It was almost 30 years ago since a Lock Haven YMCA swimmer won a YMCA State title.  That's history now as Emma Butzler and Simon Lins won titles two weekends ago.  Below is an article in the Lock Haven Express, detailing the 1986 Lock Haven YMCA state winners.

Lock Haven Swimmers End Decades Long YMCA State Title Drought

Numerous swimmers have filled the ranks of the Lock Haven YMCA swim team over the past several decades and many gave it their all to claim an individual state title.  The last to step upon the top of the podium was David Sheets from his win in the 100 yard backstroke in 1986 (Sheets plus teammates Wayde Brookens, Kurt Herrmann and Bob Miller did win the 200 medley relay at the same meet).  The nearly three decade drought was quenched when Simon Lins and Emma Butzler claimed titles in their age group swims at Penn State’s McCoy Natatorium this past weekend.  Full results can be viewed here.

Madison Bair (bottom swimmer), neck and neck with Hazelton’s Sadie Hunsinger in the girls 10-and-under 100 yard breaststroke.

Avery Mahoney, coiled and ready to spring as the lead-off swimmer in the girls 14-and-under 200 medley relay.

Lock Haven YMCA coach Jim Merinar with double gold winner, Emma Butzler.

Simon Lins, winner of the 10-and-under boys 50 yard backstroke, atop the podium stand (center, top row)

Learning to Save Lives Around Water - Lock Haven Y Lifeguard Training

Flashback Friday - Jersey Shore YMCA State Swimmers from '85-'86

Several years of blogging have occurred at the Jersey Shore Swim blog with over 900 stories and articles posted.  With that in mind, the Jersey Shore Swim blog will occasionally pull out an occasional favorite or interesting item from the archives to share with readers (plus some interesting old stuff never posted) in a series called Flashback Friday.

Nine Jersey Shore swimmers are heading over to Penn State this weekend to compete in YMCA States.  Below is an article highlighting the five swimmers from the 1985-1986 season that competed in YMCA States.

Conquering Fear, Building Confidence - Lock Haven Y Swim Lessons

Jersey Shore Swimmer Brings Home Medal

It has been several years since a Jersey Shore swimmer has brought back a piece of hardware from the PIAA State Swim Meet (last one to do it was Maddie Thompson in 2011).  Freshman Emma Butzler, seeded 9th in the 100 butterfly prelims, just squeaked into the finals.  By the time the 100 fly final was over, she moved from her 8 seed spot to land in 7th place.  She also placed 15th overall in the 200 freestyle.  The girls AA final times can be viewed here.  Teammate Luke Engel swam a 56.98 in the boys 100 butterfly prelims.

Hard work of head coach Colt Coffman and Emma Butlzler pays off

Butzler, far right, with a 7th place finish in the PIAA Class AA 100 yard butterfly

Butzler with assistant coach Katie Steppe and head coach Colt Coffman

2015 PA YMCA State Psych Sheets Are Posted

The 2015 Pennsylvania YMCA State Swimming Championship Psych Sheets are posted here.

Lock Haven YMCA Sending 19 Swimmers to States

Three days of great swimming concluded this evening with 19 swimmers (and maybe one or two more as at large bids) qualifying for the state meet.  Full results from the three days can be found here.

Simon Lins won and set a meet record in the boys 10-and-under 50 yard butterfly.  Emma Butzler won the 100 yard butterfly and also qualified for YMCA Nationals in the 200 yard butterfly.

East, Central YMCA District Psych Sheets Posted

• East District YMCA Psych Sheets here
• Central District YMCA Psych Sheets here

2015 YMCA PA Central District Swimming Champs Psych Sheets are Posted

2015 YMCA PA Central District Swimming Championship psych sheets are posted here.

Jersey Shore Sends 2 Swimmers to PIAA States

Luke Engel will be heading to swim another day at the PIAA State Meet next week with a qualifying swim in the 100 butterfly.  He will join Emma Butzler who qualified for both the 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle.  Seedings can be found here under the AA automatic and at-large qualifiers.

PIAA District IV Class AA Swim Meet Results Posted

Results can be viewed here

Yesterday was the conclusion of the PIAA District IV Class AA swim meet and the waiting game begins to see if a couple more Jersey Shore swimmers can qualify for the at-large bids.  Regardless, yesterday was a success as there were some large time drops and two new school records set. 

Luke Engel set a new 100 yard freestyle record with his time of 49.91.  That broke a 2005 record set by Eric Gephart of 50.30.  Engel was also part of a new record setting school 400 free relay along with Jon Creveling, Joey Fausey, and Keegan Wagner.

On the girls side, they ended the meet with an exciting 2nd place finish in the 400 free relay.  The video below has Gabbie Moore leading off (orange suit, lane 6, 3rd swimmer from the right), followed by Kendra White, Rachel Duda, and Emma Butzler as the anchor.

Jersey Shore Sends Swimmer to PIAA States on Day 1

After one day of swimming, Jersey Shore girls are in fifth place with 115 points (Central Columbia is in first with 252) and the boys are in 7th (Bloomsburg in the lead with 194).

Shore's Emma Butzler qualified for PIAA States with a win in the 100 yard butterfly at 59.10.  Teammate Gabbie Moore dropped 2.29 seconds to capture 5th.

Butzler also broke Shore's 200 yard freestyle with a second place finish at 1:56.17.  Bloomsburg's freshman Hanna Everhart took the event with a 1:53.00 and served notice to the rest of the swimming community that she is eyeing a very high finish at States.

Jersey Shore's biggest time drop of the day came from Kendra White as she dropped over 7 seconds in the 200 IM to finish 7th with a time of 2;21.78

Today's results and tomorrow's action can be viewed in MeetMobile by simply typing in 'piaa district iv'

Emma Butzler with Jersey Shore coach Colt Coffman

CENKEY Championship Results Are Posted

The results of the 2015 CENKEY Championships can be found here. The Lock Haven Loggerheads managed to finish 2^nd place in the 12 team league.  Only mighty State College finished higher.  

And who says swimming cannot be exciting!  There was high drama involved as well.  After Saturday’s events, the Lock Haven Loggerheads were in 6^th place; the 8-and-under and 10- and-under age groups really dominated, lifting the team to the second place finish.   

PIAA District 4 AA Psych Sheets Are Here!

Great two days of swimming are set for PIAA District 4 Class AA swimmers this week.  Psych sheets can be found here.

Flashback Friday - Jersey Shore District IV Class AA Qualifiers from 2008

Several years of blogging have occurred at the Jersey Shore Swim blog with over 900 stories and articles posted.  With that in mind, the Jersey Shore Swim blog will occasionally pull out an occasional favorite or interesting item from the archives to share with readers (plus some interesting old stuff never posted) in a series called Flashback Friday.

The PIAA District 4 Class AA Championships will take place next week at the Williamsport High School where winners automatically advance to the PIAA State Champonships.  Below is an article from 2008 highlighting the swimmers that performed well enough in the District 4 Class AA Championships to advance that year.

CENKEY YMCA Championship Psych Sheets are Posted

League entries for the CENKEY YMCA Championships are posted here.  Lanes and Heats will be done at the meet.

Lock Haven Athletes With Heavy Weekend of Swimming

From head coach Jim Meriner....

On Saturday many of the Loggerhead swimmers travelled to Bloomsburg for an invitational meet. There were many great swims (and victories) on that day, but a couple of performances stand out. First of all, Camryn Bair set a new Loggerheads RECORD in the 50 yard freestyle for 8 and under girls with a fine time of 35.53. She bested the old record of Laura Gusmerotti of 36.11. Now it is all hers. Congratulations Camryn! Others had great swims (just look at the results page for all the dropped times), including Meaghan Keegan with a district qualifying time in the 100 fly.  Results can be viewed here.

On Sunday, 25 kids and families braved the brutally cold weather to go to Hollidaysburg. We swam the condensed schedule, and were done in 2 hours. Pretty nice. However, I must say that the meet actually moved too fast. It left both Emma Persun and Mikayla Rich swimming the 100 backstroke, resting about 2 minutes, and then doing the 100 fly. Very proud of both girls for finishing the fly under those circumstances (and it was the first 100 fly ever for Mikayla). Rebekkah Merinar got to swim in consecutive heats in the 25 fly and 50 free - and did very well, thank you. The day was topped off by three team records! They were as follows:

Xavier Persun took the 25 freestyle record with a blazing 14.92 time in the 8 and under boys. The old record belonged to Owen Persun. 

Ana Persun took the 25 freestyle record in the 8 and under girls with a 15.64 time. The old record (again) belonged to Laura Gusmerotti.

Finally, Xavier Persun took the 50 freestyle record with a time of 32.50. Of course, the old record belonged to Owen Persun.

Great job and great swimming Xavier and Ana (and Camryn!). Congratulations for your great efforts.  Results can be viewed here.

Flashback Friday - Inaugural CENKEY Championships

Several years of blogging have occurred at the Jersey Shore Swim blog with over 900 stories and articles posted.  With that in mind, the Jersey Shore Swim blog will occasionally pull out an occasional favorite or interesting item from the archives to share with readers (plus some interesting old stuff never posted) in a series called Flashback Friday.

The CENKEY Championship meet will take next weekend in Clearfield.  Last year was the first year of the league and below is a news story catching some highlights of that event.

Lock Haven YMCA v Clarion Results

The meet season is winding down and swimmers are gearing up for championships and YMCA Districts.  Here are the results of the Lock Haven YMCA v Clarion swim meet that took place this past Saturday at Lock Haven University's Zimmerli Pool.

Jersey Shore HS Swimmers Celebrate Senoirs At Tonights Meet

Williamsport Boys Take Coaches Invitational

While the Williamsport boys did not win have any first place finishers in the Williamsport Coaches Invitational this past weekend (out of 11 teams), their depth allowed them to capture the team title.  The girls  finished third. 

Jersey Shore boys finished 6th and the girls took 4th.   Jersey Shore's girls did capture the 400 freestyle relay (Gabbie Moore, Kendra White, Rachel Duda, and Emma Butzler).  Butzler also went on to win the 100 fly and 200 free.  Full results can be found here.

35th Annual Zoltoski Memorial Pentathlon

The Zoltoski Pentathlon is always a good time and a little different format and scheduled for February 28 at Lock Haven University.  It is also a last chance meet for YMCA Districts this year.  You can view past times and other info here, here, here, and here.

Thinking Summer - Haven Swim Camp

Below is some information on the Haven Swim Camp to be held at Lock Haven University in July.  It is a great way to experience central Pennsylvania if you are from outside the area.  You can check out some of last years activities here and here,

Flashback Friday - Jersey Shore & Central Mountain Showdown

Several years of blogging have occurred at the Jersey Shore Swim blog with over 900 stories and articles posted.  With that in mind, the Jersey Shore Swim blog will occasionally pull out an occasional favorite or interesting item from the archives to share with readers (plus some interesting old stuff never posted) in a series called Flashback Friday.

In any sport, Jersey Shore and Central Mountain are natural rivals.  School sizes are very similar and the close proximity on the West Branch of the Susquehanna breeds great storylines.  Swimming is no exception.  Next week, the two get together for their annual swim meet.  Below is a write-up from the 2008-2009 season.

Williamsport Boys/Girls Win Over Shamokin

Jersey Shore HS Swimmers Fall to Bloomsburg

The Jersey Shore girls lost to Bloomsburg, 101-67.  Shore was able to capture three individual events (100 fly and back and the 200 free) and the 400 free relay.  The boys lost 95-54 with Michael Panczyszyn's 100 breaststroke the only individual event winner.  The boys also won the 400 free relay.  Full results of the meet can be found here.  Jersey Shore's facility is a meter pool.

Lock Haven YMCA Splits Tri-Meet with East Lycoming and Juniata Valley

The Lock Haven YMCA swim team split their tri-meet this past weekend, with a win against Juniata Valley and a loss to East Lycoming.  Meet results can be found here.

Jersey Shore YMCA Finishes Out January with Tri-Meet Action

Results of the yesterday's Jersey Shore YMCA, State College, and Hollidaysburg tri-meet can be found here.