Cross Creek Rivalry - Quarter A Century Ago

The Jersey Shore YMCA Swim Team is scheduled to take on Lock Haven at Zimmerli Pool (Lock Haven University) next Sunday.   Here is a look at what transpired 25 years ago.  The first document deals with the Jersey Shore swimmers while the second deals with Lock Haven swimmers.  Thanks to the family of Steve Sheets for the historical documents.  Burning question.... When was the term 'tanker' first used?  What does it exactly mean?  When did teams stop using it?  Why?



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The Uncertain Future of Swimming in Central Pennsylvania

The December 31, 2010 edition of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette had a special section where they profiled the big news stories for each month in 2010.  The May section featured nine stories, two of which were not particularily encouraging for swimming issues. 

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Parents and swimmers must get involved for this sport to survive and thrive in the future! 

Get To Know Alaniah Rosencrance

(note: to view other Jersey Shore swimmers profiled to date, click on the "Get to Know the 2010-2011 JS High School Swim Team" label located on the left hand side of the blog. May need to scroll down)

Name: Alaniah Rosencrance

Class: Junior

Favorite Stroke: Freestyle
Favorite Event: 50 Freestyle
Number of Years Swimming: 4

Swimming Accomplishments: Went to Districts

Other Sports Played: track and field
Non-Athletic School Activites: eating lunch

Non-School Activities: reading

Favorite Food: pancakes
Favorite Sports Team: Washington Redskins
Favorite Actor/Actress: Steve Carell

Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite Movie: Anchorman

Favorite Book: Harry Potter

Favorite Band: Bob Dylan

Most Influential Person In My Life: My old man

(note: to view other Jersey Shore swimmers profiled to date, click on the "Get to Know the 2010-2011 JS High School Swim Team" label located on the left hand side of the blog. May need to scroll down)

Get To Know Tallon Royer

(note: to view other Jersey Shore swimmers profiled to date, click on the "Get to Know the 2010-2011 JS High School Swim Team" label located on the left hand side of the blog. May need to scroll down)

Name: Tallon Royer
Class: Sophmore
Favorite Stroke: Freestyle

Favorite Event: 100 Freestyle

Number of Years Swimming: 5
Swimming Accomplishments: Made PIAA Districts in 200 Freestyle Relay

Other Sports Played: football
Favorite Food: pepperoni pizza
Favorite Sports Team: New York Giants, Oregon Ducks/Notre Dame

Favorite Actor/Actress: Chirs Rock

Favorite TV Show: Wipeout/Supernatural
Favorite Movie: The Hangover
Favorite Band: Journey

Most Influential Person In My Life: My dad

(note: to view other Jersey Shore swimmers profiled to date, click on the "Get to Know the 2010-2011 JS High School Swim Team" label located on the left hand side of the blog. May need to scroll down)

Jersey Shore Swimmers Meet USA's Best

Several Jersey Shore swimmers went to meet US Olympic swimmer,Ian Crocker, at the Bloomsburg Middle School. The first thing they did was talk about his childhood experience where he followed his sister into the sport of swimming.  Ian was a freestyler at first but as he became more comfortable with swimming he tried the butterfly.  As he became more proficient, he eventually made Olympic times.  One of his main competitors was Michael Phelps in the Olympics and other championship swimming events.

Jersey Shore swimmers pose with three-time Olympic champion and former world record holder in the 100 m butterfly, Ian Crocker. Shore swimmers in attendance include Riley M., Meaghan K., Sam K., Allison P., Cheyenne G., and Emma B.  Not pictured Damon C.

After the poolside talk, the swimmers headed to the water to work on some technique.  Below are some of the highlights covered in the pool workout.

FREESTYLE: Crocker said to keep our arms in front of our sholders. He also said to roll your sholders and to always kick.

BACKSTROKE:  He said that you really don't swim on your back. You really swim side to side(roll your sholders) Ian said to always keep your head looking straight up.

BREASTSTROKE:Crocker said to make sure your kick is strong and finish correctly. He also said to pretend to scoop ice cream in your upper bodypart.

BUTTERFLY:  Crocker's best stroke.  He said that you take 2 kicks in one stroke and that its all about rhythm.  You should also breathe when your arms are half way up.

In between each stoke review, each swimmer had a chance to race him in a 25 yard sprint (participants choice).

Merry Christmas

The Butzlers' wish all the Jersey Shore area swimmers and their families a Merry Christmas.  

Although water activites are more limited in the winter than summer, there is still plenty to do with water.  The Salvation Army is once again sponsoring a Polar Bear Plunge into the Susquehanna River.  This year's plunge is planned to take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 29 and will be held at a different location - Haywood's on the Water at 610 Antler's Lane.  Those interested in registering to dive into the icy water this year or those looking for more information should contact Craig Shoff at 326-9187.

Frozen water can still be enjoyed by swimmers.  Pick up a pair of skates and find the closest pond, flooded field, or small lake.  It's a great activity for the whole family.

Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference Swimming Standings

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Williamsport High School vs Bloomsburg

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Matt Runtas and Trevor Harris each won two individual events en route to a 102-69 win over Bloomsburg. Bloomsburg's Zach Stevens set a pool record with a time of 1:55.06 in the Individual Medley.

Bethann Schwoyer scored wins in the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard back to lead Williamsport's girls swim team to a 95-85 win over Bloomsburg.

Pools Are a Service

Great letter to the editor in the December 12 edition of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette by a Lawrence F. Bassett.  Pools need more supporters like him!

Reading the Sun-Gazette's editorial on Williamsport's swimming pools ("The municipal pool needs private saviors," Dec. 1), I had to ask myself, "What part of 'municipal' doesn't the Sun-Gazette understand?"

Reporting on the Aquatic Feasibility Study presented to City Council, R.A. Walker wrote "The bottom line is that loan payments on the debt for building one or more new pools in the city would be staggering and the prospects of making a profit and not having to subsidize the operation with taxpayer funds would be unlikely."

Which, of course, is exactly the point.

Public swimming pools, it seems to me, are a municipal service not very different from police and fire services or from the city streets; they represent a public good which should be financed at public expense. Just as we don't expect the fire, police, and streets departments to make a profit, we shouldn't expect our municipal swimming pools to make a profit (or even break even.)

Mr. Walker quotes Council Vice President Bill Hall saying, "Of course, we could always have the Halliburton Pool" and Councilwoman Gerry Fausnaught "suggesting that, with all the natural gas companies pouring in, Hall's idea might be a viable option given that many people are very passionate about aquatic programs."

One would assume that the city's taxpayers are also passionate about police and fire protection and about well-maintained streets. Would it therefore be a "viable option" to have a Halliburton police department, a Chesapeake fire department, and a Cabot streets department?

Private largess, that is, is not substitute for public responsibility, and rather than needing "private saviors" what our municipal pools need is a recognition that clean, safe, public swimming pools open to all are a civic good deserving public support.

Lawrence F. Bassett
Williamsport
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom

Jersey Shore High School Swimming vs Shamokin

Final Score:
Boys: Jersey Shore – 58 Shamokin – 124
Girls: Jersey Shore – 110 Shamokin – 73

Shamokin started the meet off by singing a Christmas carol, wishing the Jersey Shore swim team “A Merry Christmas”. Coach Thompson and the rest of his squad stood across the pool from the largest swim team he has faced since he has been a member of the JS swim team. Both the coaches and team knew that with each lane being filled for every race by both Jersey Shore and Shamokin that the meet would come down to which coach put together the strongest line-up and who had the strongest swimmers. The meet ended with a win for each side; The Jersey Shore girl’s won 110 – 73 and the Shamokin boys won 124 – 58; moving the girls to 3-1 (2-1 league) and the boys 2-2 (2-1 league).


The Jersey Shore girls had won every race excluding the 400 Freestyle Relay and the Shamokin boys won every single race excluding the 100 Breaststroke which was taken by Ian Endersen; who had the only first place against the Montoursville boys as well. The Jersey Shore girls had a spectacular meet, showing off their depth and strength. Shore finished 1-2-3 in both the 200 IM and the 100 Fly; the girls also finished 1-2 in another astonishing five races. Madalyn Thompson lived by her moto “Show Up and Blow Up” finishing first in all four of her races; demolishing two of their pool records (one set previously by her and the other by Lewisburg). The relay of Jamie Mason, Katie Flook, Addison Crawley and Madalyn Thompson missed another pool record by eight one-hundredths of a second. Jersey Shore’s next showing will be at the Arctic Swim Invitational at Clearfield High School on Saturday, January 8 2011.

Get To Know Jamie Mason

(note: to view other Jersey Shore swimmers profiled to date, click on the "Get to Know the 2010-2011 JS High School Swim Team" label located on the left hand side of the blog.  May need to scroll down)

Name: Jamie Mason
Class: Spphmore
Favorite Stroke: Freestyle
Favorite Event: 100 Freestyle
Number of Years Swimming: 10 years
Proudest Swimming Moment: Going to States last year with Danielle, Maddi, and Brooke in the 200 and 400 free relay.

Other Sports Played: soccer and track
Non-Athletic School Activites: Model UN, Outdoor Club
Non-School Activities: Relay 4 Life, AYSO Soccer
Favorite Food: chicken fingers
Favorite Sports Team: Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles
Favorite Actor/Actress: Leonardo Dicaprio, Taylor Lautner
Favorite TV Show: The Office, Jersey Shore
Favorite Movie: Twister
Favorite Book: Twilight Series
Favorite Band: Nicki Minaj, IYAZ
Most Influential Person In My Life: My sister, Josie

Head Coach Lee Thompson's Comments: Jamie is a sophomore this year at Jersey Shore Area Senior High school. Jamie was a member of the PIAA states team in both the 200 Freestyle and the 400 Freestyle relay; medaling in the 200. She has been on the YMCA winter team and summer team since she was an 8 and under; Jamie also participates in both Soccer and Track. Last year Jamie received the Bulldog award because of her hard work and devotion to the sport. This year Jamie was chosen by her teammates to be a captain and lead the team to hopefully another successful season. Jamie may be small in stature but has a large heart when it comes to her teammates and an even bigger desire to win. This young sprinter specializes in the 50 Freestyle and the 100 Freestyle. She will make quite the impact this season - hopefully extending it all the way to Bucknell.

(note: to view other Jersey Shore swimmers profiled to date, click on the "Get to Know the 2010-2011 JS High School Swim Team" label located on the left hand side of the blog. May need to scroll down)

Get To Know Stephen Smeltzer

(note: to view other Jersey Shore swimmers profiled to date, click on the "Get to Know the 2010-2011 JS High School Swim Team" label located on the left hand side of the blog.  May need to scroll down)

Name: Stephen Smeltzer
Class: Senior
Favorite Stroke: Freestyle
Favorite Event: 50 Freestyle
Number of Years Swimming: 9 practices

Other Sports Played: track
Non-Athletic School Activites: snowboarding
Non-School Activities: camping, hiking, photography
Favorite Food: corn beef
Favorite Sports Team: Florida Gators
Favorite Actor/Actress: Will Smith
Favorite TV Show: NCIS
Favorite Movie: Avatar
Favorite Book: The Things They Carried
Favorite Band: Anathallo
Most Influential Person In My Life: Steve Smeltzer (Father)

Head Coach Lee Thompson's Comments: Steven is a senior this year at Jersey Shore Area High School, but this will be Steven's rookie season. Steven may be new to the sport of competitive swimming, but it is his hard work and determination that leads him to the Coaches Corner. As a coach, a "pool full of Steven's" would be a dream come true. He is never late to practice, tries his hardest on every sprint, is a quick learner and is always pushing himself and the other teammates (even the veterans) to their limits. After Steven's first meet, he was within a second of making the 50 Freestyle district time and is shedding second after second in his 100 Freestyle. Steven has found himself within tenths of a second away in the 50 Free and less than a second away in the 100 Free from the District qualification time. Although Steven is a greenhorn, he has found himself a place among the captains; the team and I see the hard work and dedication that Steven brings to the pool each and everyday.

(note: to view other Jersey Shore swimmers profiled to date, click on the "Get to Know the 2010-2011 JS High School Swim Team" label located on the left hand side of the blog. May need to scroll down)

Central Mountain High School Boys Lose Heartbreaker in Montoursville Swim Meet

Central Mountain opened their competitive swimming season yesterday at Lock Haven University's Zimmerli Pool. After 3 weeks of practice and hard work, Central Mountain looked poised and confident, had great swims and really good times, but still came up short. Montoursville had a lot of strong veteran swimmers and they held off the Wildcats. The Girl's were defeated 111 - 59; and the boy's loss was a heartbreaker, 75 - 70.


Making their debuts for Central Mountain was Kate Tolomay swimming the 200 free, 100 free and the 4 x 100 free relay, Danielle Bryan swimming the 100 free, 100 back and the 4 x 100 free relay, Amenish Chavan swimming the 200 medley relay, 100 free, 200 free relay and the 4 x 100 free relay, Eric Lugg swimming the 200 medley relay, 100 free, 100 back and the 4 x 100 free relay, Tyler Sheets swimming the 200 medley relay, 50 free, 200 free relay, 100 breast, Jeffrey Smith swimming the 200 medley relay, 50 free, 4 x100 free relay, Jordan Suter swimming 200 medley relay, 200 free, 100 fly and 200 free relay

"...upstarts like Jersey Shore"

Interesting article in the December 7, 2010 Daily Item where they talk about the traditional swimming powers in District 4 (Bloomsburg, Central Columbia and Danville)  losing ground to upstarts like Lewisburg, Montoursville and Jersey Shore.  Part of the contributing factor in decline of the powerhouses is the decline in their youth program.  Read more here.

Just goes to show the importance of youth programs like YMCA, Bald Eagle Swim League (summer swim) and USA Swimming and their role in developing future swim teams.

Kennelley's Krew

Jersey Shore's YMCA swim coach, Patty Kennelley, will be taking a large group of kids out to 2011 Western Pennsylvania YMCA District Championship Meet at Indiana University of Pennsylvania on March 12-13.

Below is a list of district qualifiers which will be updated as the season progresses.

15 & Over
Lindsay Dudek – 100 Fly
Jamie Mason – 100 Free
BethAnn Schwoyer – 200 IM, 100 Back
Maddi Thompson – 100 Free

14 & Unders
Courtney Breon – 100 Fly
Evan Moore – Medley Relay, Free Relay
Chet Schwoyer – Medley Relay, Free Relay
Cody Schwoyer – Medley Relay, 100 Back, Free Relay
Tyler Sheets - Medley Relay, Free Relay

12 & Unders
Jacob Butzler – 200 Free, 200 IM, 50 Breast

10 & Unders
Emma Butzler – 50 Fly, 100 Free, 50 Free, Free Relay
Samantha Keegan – 100 IM, 50 Free, 50 Breast, Free Relay
Hannah Stemler – Free Relay
Ashlyn Wool – Free Relay

Jersey Shore HS/Montoursville Swim Meet Synopsis

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A good write-up on this meet can be found in today's edition of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette here.

There is also an article in today's Lock Haven Express which can be found here or below.

When Jersey Shore swim coach Lee Thompson was trying to fill out his swimming roster, he made a specific pitch to anybody that listened. It went something like this: First place wins the race but not the meet."

That means that a whole lot of points can be accumulated with second-, third- and fourth-place finishes.

Coach Thompson got to see that mantra come into play in the boys' second dual meet of the year as the Montoursville boys won every event but two and Jersey Shore (1-1) still came out on top..TO READ MORE ABOUT THE JERSEY SHORE/MONTOURSVILLE SWIM MEET, THEN CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW....

Jersey Shore High School Defeats Montoursville

Final Score:
Boys: Jersey Shore – 83 Montoursville – 79
Girls: Jersey Shore – 86 Montoursville – 84

Reading the Numbers

On Friday the Central Mountain High School team did a service project for the Lock Haven YMCA cleaning up the depth markers on the side of the pool that have gotten pretty dirty over the years. Click on the picture to enlarge. The picture on the was before cleaning while the one on the left was after cleaning.This service project made a world of difference. The high school swim team kids cleaned the depth markers of the Y pool for a prize. A swedish winter hat and some skittles!! 1st boy was Jordan Suter and first girl was Sydney Foster.

Shore High School Girls Open Swim Season with Win

The air was thick with tension and nerves were high as the 2010-2011 Jersey Shore High School swim season got under way on Friday. Shore’s head coach was a bit apprehensive for a variety of reasons. This was his first year at the helm of a very successful swim program that sent four swimmers to PIAA States last March. In addition, this year’s team swelled with the addition of sixteen new swimmers-raw and untested.

As the meet started, nerves were calmed and Thompson had a chance to see the future of his program. “As I sat back and watched the meet unfold, I had the opportunity to see the talent that the Jersey Shore Area has within its district and now our swimming program.”

The Jersey Shore girls took charge from the start as Maddi Thompson, Addison Crawley, Katie Flook, and Jamie Mason captured the opening 200 meter medley relay in 2:15.81. The same foursome cruised to a win in the final 400 meter freestyle relay. In between, the girls dominated Towanda by winning every event except the 200 meter freestyle relay to end the night with a 92-52 win.


The boys had a tougher task. Towanda was able to capture the opening and final relays; however, Shore’s McKinley Thompson, Steven Smeltzer, Tallon Royer, and Ian Endresen prevented a relay sweep by winning the 200 meter freestyle relay.

Although not as deep as the girls, the Jersey Shore boys battled it out against the Towanda Black Knights all afternoon. “I told the kids that whichever swimmer had the greatest urge and will to win throughout the entire race - will win the race,” said Thompson. Evan Moore was the perfect example of the statement. The 200 meter individual medley is a punishing race for any swimmer, let alone a freshman. He fell behind during the middle strokes but started to play catch-up during the butterfly leg and pulled even on the freestyle leg. Digging deep, he gave a final push to just out-touch the Towanda swimmer for second place. Teammate Endresen took first place. In the end, however, the Black Knights prevailed, capturing six of the eleven events and finishing the evening with a 92-70 win.

Williamsport HS Swim Teams Open With Wins

This was in the December 14, 2010 Williamsport Sun-Gazette


The Williamsport boys and girls swim teams both opened the first meet of the season with wins against Athens. On the girls side, Williamsport defeated Athens 92-50. Williamsport's Megan Hepler, Kelsey Harris, Claire Smith and Catherine Campana finished first in the 200 medley relay with a time of 2:08.22 while Hepler, Alex Isacsson, Kiera Calskey and Courtney Snyder took first in the 400 freestyle relay in 5:01.76.

On the boys side, Williamsport won, 94-48. Matt Runtis and Bryan Nardone both took first in two individual events and also helped the Williamsport boys 200 medley relay team finish first. Nardone also helped the 400 freestyle relay team place first.

Jersey Shore YMCA/Bloomsburg Swim Meet Synopsis

Jersey Shore’s Damon Cole stretches it out in the 200 meter freestyle.

Jersey Shore left Bloomsburg last year shell shocked, losing the dual meet 9-1. This past Saturday, however, Jersey Shore fell a few points short of swimming off with a victory and it was Bloomsburg that escaped with a 5-5 tie.

Patty Kennelley, in her sixth season as Shore’s head coach, has her biggest team yet and laden with talent. “With more swimmers this year, I feel our team as a whole will be more competitive. In years’ past we would always come up a little short since we were a smaller team,” said Kennelley.TO SEE MORE PICTURES OF THE JERSEY SHORE/BLOOMSBURG SWIM MEET AND THE REST OF THE MEET WRITE-UP, THEN CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW....

Get To Know Madalyn Thompson

(note: to view other Jersey Shore swimmers profiled to date, click on the "Get to Know the 2010-2011 JS High School Swim Team" label located on the left hand side of the blog. May need to scroll down)


Name: Madalyn Thompson

Class: Senior
Favorite Stroke: Freestyle
Favorite Event: 50 Freestyle

Number of Years Swimming: 12

Swimming Accomplishments: 5th at PIAA States in 100 Freestyle

Other Sports Played: track, cross-country
Non-Athletic School Activites: spanish club

Non-School Activities: camp, hike, run, outdoor stuff

Favorite Food: strawberries

Favorite Sports Team: Notre Dame

Favorite Actor/Actress: Ryan Reynolds

Favorite TV Show: The Office and Hannah Montana
Favorite Movie: Out Cold

Favorite Book: Twilight

Favorite Band: Nicki Minaj

Most Influential Person In My Life: Leland Thompson

Head Coach Lee Thompson's Comments: Madalyn is a senior this year at Jersey Shore Area Senior High school. Madalyn has been the points leaders for Jersey Shore High School since she was a Freshman, she has accumulated 10 gold medals (12 medals total) at the district level and she is a 5 time state medalist at the PIAA swimming event. Madalyn is one of the hardest worker and the most dedicated swimmer that I have ever coached. Her strongest event would be anything Freestyle from the 50 to the 500, she has been the Backstroker in every Medley Relay at the PIAA meet, but Madalyn is comfortable, confident and competitive in any event. Madalyn is determined to make a strong showing at the PIAA meet this year in multiple events; she has been cross training since the summer by running, lifting and doing Cross-Fit. Madalyn is looking to further her education and swimming career; looking at Duquesne University, the Naval Academy and West Virginia University.

(note: to view other Jersey Shore swimmers profiled to date, click on the "Get to Know the 2010-2011 JS High School Swim Team" label located on the left hand side of the blog. May need to scroll down)

Get To Know Ian Endresen

(note: to view other Jersey Shore swimmers profiled to date, click on the "Get to Know the 2010-2011 JS High School Swim Team" label located on the left hand side of the blog. May need to scroll down)


Name: Ian Endresen
Class: Junior
Favorite Stroke: Breaststroke
Favorite Event: 200 medley relay

Number of Years Swimming: 13

Swimming Accomplishments: Made YMCA States

Other Sports Played: soccer, tennis
Non-Athletic School Activites: FBLA

Non-School Activities: Youth Moose Awareness
Favorite Food: Lobster

Favorite Sports Team: Spain Soccer Team

Favorite Actor/Actress: Angelina Jolie

Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite Movie: Avatir

Favorite Book: Harry Potter #7

Favorite Band: Killswitch Engage
Most Influential Person In My Life: My sister

Head Coach Lee Thompson's Comments: Ian is a junior this year at Jersey Shore Area Senior High school. Ian is a captain for the Men's swimming team and has made quite a showing each year at the District event in both relays, the 200 IM and the 100 Breaststroke. Ian has been on the Jersey Shore Men's district qualifying Medley Relay for the previous 2 years. Ian's strongest events consist of the 200 IM, 100 Breaststroke and the 200 Freestyle. Ian has a very strong and powerful Breaststroke and has hopes of making the PIAA States Swimming meet this year. Ian has been swimming on both the high school team and the YMCA team for the past two years; he has also been on the summer swim for over a handful of years. Ian is also on the high school's Tennis team and also plays soccer with STN and enjoys running as well.

(note: to view other Jersey Shore swimmers profiled to date, click on the "Get to Know the 2010-2011 JS High School Swim Team" label located on the left hand side of the blog. May need to scroll down)

Jersey Shore YMCA Swims to Tie Against Bloomsburg

2010-2011 Central Mountain Returning Letterwinners

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2010-2011 Jersey Shore Returning Letterwinners

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Jersey Shore High School Swimming vs Towanda

Girls won 92 - 52
Boys lost 70 - 92

Jersey Shore High School Swim Schedule Set

Click on schedule to enlarge.

Who Says You Can't Swim Outside in December

The cold weather didn't deter the hardy souls who jumped into the waters of Foster J. Sayers Lake at Bald Eagle State Park. Over 100 people jumped into the 28 degree water to raise funds for the Centre County YMCA. Read more about it here and here and a few pictures here.

Tyler Sheets vs The World

Well, the title worked for Edgar Wright's comedy film, Scott Pilgrim vs The World. It would be more appropriate if the blog title read "Tyler Sheets vs. Williamsport". Every time that Sheets stepped up to the block in the 13-14 age group, he was surrounded by Williamsport swimmers on all sides-up and down the lane. In all four events (50 and 100 yard freestyle, 100 yard backstroke, and the 100 yard breaststroke)it was Sheets that touched the wall first.

The Williamsport Area Swim Club's Billtown Brr allowed for several Jersey Shore swimmers to tune-up for the start of the upcoming Central Pennsylvania YMCA League's dual meet season.

"It was a good meet", said head coach Patty Kennelley. "This was a gauge for what they will be able to do next week." In addition to Sheets, she had swimmers Taylor Poretta,Riley and Reagan Markley, Meaghan Keegan, Allison Panczyszyn, Isabelle Griswold,Damon Cole, and Taylor Poretta in the racing lanes.

Head coach, Patty Kennelley, goes over racing schedule with some Jersey Shore swimmers.

Several Jersey Shore swimmers participated under USA's Haven Area Aquatic Club and their results can be found here.

Should Urban/Inter-City Youth and Families Have Access to a Community Pool?

The editorial staff of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette weighs in on the dire situation of the public community pools within the city's limits. Their opinion can be read here in today's December 1 edition.

Maybe local citizens can take a play out of the other suffering community pools playbook. Check out the effort of South Williamsport here or Bellefonte's Kepler Pool here.

Mill Hall Communtiy Pool Saga - Episode 23

Mill Hall borough officials and Friends of the Community Pool continue to talk about the pool renovation. All the details can be read here, in the November 24 edition of the Lock Haven Express.

Become an Official Plunger

As if there is not enough for swimmers to do on December 4. For those not swimming in the Williamsport Brr meet or participating in the Jersey Shore Christmas parade, run over to the Bald Eagle State Park for a good cause (you could do the parade and the polar bear plunge as the parade is in the afternoon).

Plunge into the water while raising money for the Centre County YMCA. Pictures of past Polar Bear swims and additional information can be found here.

8th Annual Polar Bear Plunge
Saturday, December 4, 2010
10:00 AM
Bald Eagle State Park
Marina Boat Ramp

Will Williamsport Pools Go The Way of The Passenger Pigeon - EXTINCT!

News from today's Williamsport Sun-Gazette talks about the state of their public pools. It can be read here. City officials wonder if they can replace or upgrade its aging public pools.

The Jersey Shore Swim blog wonders if parents and families of Williamsport will mobilize and show their leaders the importance of summer recreation or let it go the way of the Montoursville pool.

Links to the Montoursville demise can be found here, here, and here.

"...was not a good workout swimmer."

I was flipping through the channels the other night and came across the Big Ten Network where they were running a series called “Big Ten Icons” (although I think that they should call it 'Big Ten Football Icons' as the majority of the "icons" are football players). It is an original series counting down the top 50 competitors in the conference’s rich history. Each member of the 50 is featured with a special 30-minute show hosted by legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson.

So far, the only swimmer profiled is swimmer Mark Spitz. Check it out on-line with a short 5 minute video clip at Big Ten Icons.

For someone that was not a good workout swimmer, he had an amazing number of achivements. Check it out!

Local YMCA Swim Team’s Announce Schedule

Pine Creek is all that separates Jersey Shore and Lock Haven area swimmers. Because of the relative ease of traversing this body of water, swimmers from both sides mingle quite freely. During the summer, several swimmers from the Clinton County side join the Jersey Shore summer swim team, while some Jersey Shore swimmers have started to travel westward and swim with Lock Haven area swimmers in the USA swim program. Many of the swimmers are friendly with each other but come January 8, it will be all business as the Jersey Shore YMCA travels to Lock Haven University’s Zimmerli Pool to tangle with the Lock Haven’s YMCA swim team.

Lock Haven’s first year head coach, Joel Blesh, understands the familiarity of the local competition as he swan with the Lock Haven YMCA Loggerheads for ten years starting at the age of eight.

He hopes to build upon last year’s successes and returning swimmers. “Michelle Haftl is our lone returning state qualifier,” said Blesh. “She moved up an age group this year, but is working very hard and is getting ready to make another great run this year.” “Other returning swimmers that have been working hard and ready to make their 2010 debut are Nolan and Ethan Dale, Thomas Haftl, Ben Jones, David Orndorf, Sadie Powers, and Brandon and Rachel Kibler,” added Blesh.

Jersey Shore has scheduled two home meets on December 11 and February 5 against Bloomsburg and East Lycoming respectively. Besides traveling to swim against Lock Haven, they are on the road on January 22 against Bellefonte (at LHU’s Zimmerli Pool) and February 25 at Sunbury.

Lock Haven travels on December 11 for a tri-meet against Sunbury and Bellefonte with their other away meet on January 29 against Bloomsburg. They host East Lycoming at LHU’s Zimmerli Pool on February 5.

Both teams will meet up at the Central Pennsylvania YMCA Swim League Championships on February 20 at the Williamsport High School.

Christmas Smell Permeates Jersey Shore YMCA

The Jersey Shore YMCA winter swim team had the YMCA full of Christmas smells as they held their annual wreath fundraiser. Wreaths of firs and pines covered the inside and front lawn as swimmers and their parents rushed to build and fill orders. The morning started with swimmers and their parents unloading the wreaths.

The work moved indoors as a crew of volunteers placed the cones and bows on each wreath. This was made short work as a huge group that consisted of Michelle, Brian, Kendra, and Austin White; Dave, Sam, Meaghan, and Ellen Keegan; Todd, Shelley, Evan, Gabbie, and Allison Moore; Cathy and Fletcher Farr, Kelly and Dakota Sweitzer; Julie and Allison Panczyszyn; Leigh Ann Rauch; JodI Duda, Jodie Jolin; Larisa and Aylin Yakurt, Patty Kennelley, Rachelle Sheets, and Michelle Watson finished this within hours.

TO SEE MORE PICTURES OF WREATH MAKING AND TOP SELLER, THEN CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW.

Jersey Shore Swimmers Try "Swim Your Own Age" Meet

Several Jersey Shore area swimmers participated in their first "Swim Your Own Age" Meet at Bloomsburg representing the Jersey Shore YMCA or Haven Area Aquatic Club. Each swimmer competed not in a range of age groups (ie 10 & unders, 8 & unders, etc) but only with swimmers with the same age. All 10 year olds swam against other 10 year olds and 11 year olds swam against other 11 year olds.There was alot of racing for area swimmers with plenty of down time to goof off.

Results can found on the Haven Area Aquatic Club blog

"...adults are still sticking it to the kids when it comes to pools"

Great article in the November 17, 2010 issue of the Webb Weekly by Gerry Ayers. He talks about his great experience in an outdoor pool as a child and his opinion on the Montoursville and South Side pool closings. The Montoursville pool is history while South Williamsport's pool may open in the summer of 2011.

Let's hope that the adults in the Mill Hall/Lock Haven area don't "stick it to the kids" and figure out a way to keep the outdoor pool open. Kudos to the Jersey Shore Borough officials who see the importance of providing recreational opportunities to their community, especially with their outdoor pool.

Below is the article from the Webb Weekly and below that are some pictures of the Montoursville pool.

From the November 17, 2010 issue of the Webb Weekly. Click article to enlarge and read.

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

Photo taken on October 30, 2010. Click photo to enlarge

Moving On To Phase Two

YMCA head coach Patty Kennelley and assistant Steve Sheets are using a training system to bring out the best in their swimmers this year. This will be implemented in three phases.

Phase one was just completed last week which consisted of three weeks of stoke drills. Freestyle was the focus on week one, backstroke week two, and butterfly/breaststroke split week three.

Technique was really stressed in this Phase One of the season. "Last year we started out with alot of dryland training since we didn't have early access to the pool," said Sheets. "This year was different as the kids could get into the water much earlier and this allowed us to implement this program"

Two coaches could not teach all the nuances of stroke work to the thirty plus kids in the early age groups, so they relied on some older swimmers to help out; Tyler Sheets, Evan Moore, Gabbie Moore, Olivia Edler, Olivia Bellomo, Cassie Kitchen, and Kendra White.

The swimmers are currently on Phase Two which stresses endurance which will continue to the middle of January. Phase Three will place more emphasis on 'speed'

Learn Some Tips from the Best-Olympic Swimmers

Several Olympic swimmers are visiting central Pennsylvania to put on a swim clinic. Click on the picture below to enlarge and view the brochure. You can also visit Mutual of Omaha's BREAKOUT! Swim Clinic webiste.

Haven Area Aquatic Club Participates in Nittany Lion Aquatic Club Fall Kick Off

Assistant coach Joel Blesh gives a pep talk to HAAC swimmers

The Haven Area Aquatic Club, featuring several Jersey Shore swimmers,made a splash at the NLAC Fall Kick Off this past weekend. "It was a good experience for these athletes as they got to swim different events they don't get in YMCA meets," said assistant coach Joel Blesh. "They could test themselves in long distance events", he said.

Several of the younger kids got to swim long distance events such as the 200 yard freestyle and individual medley and the 100 yard butterfly, breaststroke, and backstroke. "It was a fantastic start for our young swim team," said head coach Andy Waeger. "More importantly, they had fun." For a meet synopsis by coach Waeger and meet results, visit the Haven Area Aquatic Club's blog(scroll down to the bottom of the page for for link to results).

Swimmers from Jersey Shore get ready for an afternoon of swimming

No visit to Penn State is complete until a stop is made at the Creamery for some ice cream

Jersey Shore Town Meeting Christmas Parade

Jersey Shore YMCA Swim Team Parents Advisory Committee President Shelley Moore wanted to get this information out to Jersey Shore swim parents.

Hello Swim Parents!

Both the summer and winter swim teams have been invited to participate in the Jersey Shore Town Meeting Christmas Parade. The parade route will run from the gravel parking lot in front of the Jersey Shore Middle School to the Santa Hut on Main Street. The parade organizer said that the route should only take 15 minutes to walk. This will be a nice opportunity to show our swim team pride, even in the cold months!

We are looking for two parents to organize this event. There is not much involved…maybe coming up with a theme (snowflakes? Swimming is COOL!?) and a giveaway (candy? Candy canes? Hot cocoa?) for the swimmers and organizing the participants. If you are interested in heading up this event, please let me know at smoore@pct.edu PLEASE!!

Unfortunately the parade is the same day as the Billtown Brrrrr Invitational in Williamsport. So, if your swimmer is not considering participating in the Billtown Brrrr….maybe they would enjoy walking in the parade with a few of their swim friends!!!

Date: December 4th, 2010
Gathering time: 1:45pm
Step off time: 2:00pm
Forming at: Jersey Shore Middle School – Stone parking lot
Ending at: The Santa Hut on Main Street

Support Jersey Shore Swimming by Wearing Their Colors

Swim team clothing sale will occur until November 29. At that time, all orders and monies must be in. If a swimmer/parent sells 5 items, they will be given a free T-shirt. Please note that we cannot guarantee the items will be here in time for Christmas gifts. Checks need to be made out to Shelley Moore not to the Jersey Shore Swim Team as stated on order form. Please click on forms to enlarge.

Parents Meeting and Meet & Greet Night

The Winter Swim Team Board presented themselves to parents of swimmers last night and reviewed a timeline of this upcoming season.Members of the Winter Swim Team Board include (from right to left ) Shelley Moore-President, Cathy Farr-Secretary, Fletcher Farr-Treasure, Julie Panczyszyn-Second Vice President, and Michelle White-YMCA League Representative. Missing from photo is Nicole Shadle-First Vice President.

• Wreath sales need to be finalized this week. Volunteers are needed to put pine cones together. Cones will be brought to practice and parents that stick around can put everything together while waiting. Volunteers are also needed to unload wreaths and place pine cone display on the wreath on delivery day. Sign-ups are on the bulletin board for those volunteer positions. This is a major fundraiser and the reason we can keep our registration rates low.

• Swim team clothing sale will occur until November 29. At that time, all orders and monies must be in. If a swimmer/parent sells 5 items, they will be given a free T-shirt. Please note that we cannot guarantee the items will be here in time for Christmas gifts. Checks need to be made out to Shelley Moore.

• Official and timer requests were made by Julie Panczyszyn. Twelve timers are needed per home meet (only 2 home meets this year). If 24 people sign-up for a home meet, then each timer only has to work ½ the meet. Only six timers are needed for the away meets. Again, if twelve people sign up for this, then they only have to work ½ the away meet. Sign-ups on the bulletin board in the pool area.

• Officiating recertification is taking place at the YMCA this Thursday night. If interested in becoming an official, the team will pay expenses. Talk to Michelle White for more information.

• Concession stand sign-ups are on the bulletin board for the two home meets, December 11 and January 29. Two shifts of four people are needed during the afternoon to feed the hungry spectators.

• End of season banquet will occur sometime in April. It is somewhat late after the regular swimming season but takes into account the kids who are swimming in YMCA Districts, States, and Nationals. Usually an end of season gift for the kids.

• YMCA Championships are being coordinated by Jersey Shore (at Williamsport High School). Volunteers are needed in large numbers to make this happen. The team is encouraging as many swimmers as possible to participate; we want to have a good showing. Part of this responsibility of hosting is that we also have concession duty. As a result, we will have a special concession committee for this event. We are looking for volunteers to man the stand at least one hour during the day.

• The Jersey Shore Christmas Parade will feature Jersey Shore swimmers on December 4. Hopefully most swimmers will be able to participate and show the community swimmer pride.

UPDATE - Mandatory Parents Meeting and Meet & Greet Night!

Due to the change in practice times, the meeting times have been updated to match practice times:


Mandatory Parents Meeting and Meet & Greet Night!
When: Tuesday, November 9th
Where: JS High School – outside the pool area
Time: Both Practices – beginning at 5:30pm & 6:30pm

Frightful Night at Lock Haven's Zimmerli Pool

It was a scary night at USA swim practice last week, not because practice was hard (that is not to say the coaches aren't pushing the swimmers in preperation for this weekends swim meet, Nittany Lion Fall Kick-Off) but because the coaches took advantage of Halloween to lighten the mood.

Fred(head coach Andy Waeger) and Barney (assistant coach Joel Blesh)explain the Halloween practice!



A halloween party is not a party until the traditional bobbing for apples occurs. This time, it is just on a larger scale. Aaron during the bobbing for apples competition




The winner of the costume competition was Ian dressed at 'dimwit the broken lightbulb'.