What Would it Take to Restart a Renovo Swim Team



A thirty-old article ('81-'82) provides a
glimpse into a Renovo swim team with
 its match-up against the Lock Haven
YMCA.  Click photo  to enlarge

Looking back at old newspaper clippings, it is interesting to see some of the teams in the old winter YMCA swim leagues in central Pennsylvania.   

The Jersey Shore Swim Blog wonders what it would take to bring back competitive swimming into Renovo area. 

Myth #1 - There is no pool
 There is a beautiful pool in Renovo.  Have you ever been to the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina and taken a tour of the 'castle'?  In the basement is this old, cool looking pool (without water) here.  Renovo has a pool that looks somewhat similar, with that historical feel, but it has water.  Check it out here.

Myth #2 - It is not a 25 yard pool so no good for a swim team
 Nope, it is not a competitive length pool but somewhat shorter (about 20 yards).  If anything, swimmers in this pool would be excellent at turns.  This idea of a short pool has not stopped other teams.   The Wallenpaupack High School swim team (located in PA) trains in a 17 yard pool!  They seem to be very successful in that small pool as 15 swimmers qualified for the District II swim meet, and came back home with 16 medals.  Check it out here. 

Myth #3 - There might not be enough swimmers to create a viable team to participate in swim meets
Why can't swimmers from different communities and pools band together?  The Pocono Piranhas YMCA Swim Team have their swimmers practice at 5, yep, count 'em 5 different pools.  Check out their practice schedule here and pictures of the 5 pools here.

Surely, the Lock Haven YMCA can work something out with their small town neighbor to the north

Myth #4 - Combining teams for recreational swimming might work but not for high school swimming
This idea of combining schools for high school swimming can also occur.  One has to look no further than our back yard where Williamsport School District and Loyalsock have set up some  sort of agreement for PIAA Swimming.   Check out the 2010-2011 Loyalsock High School Swim team page, here,  where it states that " Loyalsock swims alongside Williamsport Area High School in co-op that has been going on for four years. Our Loyalsock swimmers helped both the Men's and Women's Swim Team clinch the 2009-2010 District Championship!"

Also, check out the Heartland Athletic Conference teams below.  Loyalsock is not the only team doing this but so does Lady of Lourdes with Mount Carmel

• Bloomsburg
• Central Columbia
• Danville
• Jersey Shore
• Lewisburg
• Montoursville
• Mount Carmel with Our Lady of Lourdes
• Shamokin
• Williamsport with Loyalsock
• Southern Columbia

Jersey Shore Swimmers in the Water and News Today

Numerous Shore swimmers are heading over to the Eastern Lycoming YMCA for the Eastern Lyco Invitational Swim Meet today  while several others traveled down to West Shore for the two-day USA Swimming WSY Winter Invitational.  Also, there is a write-up in today's Lock Haven Express here, on last week's swim meet against Bellefonte.  The results of that meet can be found here.

Several Jersey Shore swimmers (and a Lock haven
one too)  traveled down to West Shore for the
USA Swimming  WSY Winter Invitational.

Arctic Swim Classic

Below are the results of the Arctic Swim Classic held at the at the Robert L. Shearer Natatorium at Clearfield on January 7.  Local teams (Central Mountain and Jersey Shore) and swimmers are highlighted in red.

Boys
Team Standings and Key1. Bellefonte (B) 303; 2. St. Marys (SM) 231; 3. Hollidaysburg (H) 205; 4. Clearfield (C) 148; 5. DuBois (D) 97; 6. Brookville (BR) 88; 7. Central Mountain (CM) 79; 8. Dover Area (DA) 66; 9. Jersey Shore (JS) 53; 10. Mifflin County (MC) 32.

Results
200 Medley Relay: 1. Bellefonte, 1:46.13; 2. St. Marys; 3. Hollidaysburg. 200 Free: 1. Thomas, B, 1:51.05; 2. Mallorey, DA; 3. Hailer, H. 200 IM: 1. Rosenberger, B, 2:05.07; 2. Fisher, C; 3. Fenstermacher, D. 50 Free: 1. Ransel, BV, 22.16; 2. Cotter, SM; 3. Rodo, CM. 100 Fly: 1. Long, H, 55.14; 2. Urbassik, D; 3. Renwick, SM. 100 Free: 1. Ransel, BV, 49.85; 2. Hailer, H; 3. Flanagan, C. 500 Free: 1. Thomas, B, 5:03.63; 2. Moore, SM; 3. Mallorey, DA. 200 Free Relay: 1. St. Marys, 1:36.20; 2. Clearfield; 3. Hollidaysburg. 100 Back: 1. Long, H, 55.80; 2. Newman, B; 3. Schnars, B. 100 Breast: 1. Rosenberger, B, 1:01.41; 2. Fisher, C; 3. Cram, B. 400 Free Relay: 1. Bellefonte, 3:27.58; 2. St. Marys; 3. Hollidaysburg.

Girls
Team Standings and Key
1. Dover Area (DA) 339; 2. Clearfield (C) 244; 3. Bellefonte (B) 156; 4. St. Marys (SM) 142; 5. Mifflin County (MC) 106; 6. Hollidaysburg (H) 92; 7. Jersey Shore (JS) 91; 8. DuBois (D) 75; 9. Central Mountain (CM) 29; 10. Brookville (BV) 27.

Results
200 Medley Relay: 1. Dover, 1:58.24; 2. Bellefonte; 3. St. Marys. 200 Free: 1. Crust, B, 2:07.13; 2. Platt, D; 3. Staub, DA. 200 IM: 1. Scordato, B, 2:19.25; 2. Spaulding, DA; 3. Link, DA. 50 Free: 1. Janosky, DA, 25.76; 2. Lowery, B; 3. Daghir, SM. 100 Fly: 1. Janosky, DA, 1:02.66; 2. Dacheux, DA; 3. Dudek, JS. 100 Free: 1. Dacheux, DA, 58.62; 2. Mason, JS; 3. Beierschmitt, DA. 500 Free: 1. Crust, B, 5:42.95; 2. Platt, D; 3. Bonson, MC. 200 Free Relay: 1. Dover, 1:47.85; 2. Clearfield; 3. Bellefonte. 100 Back: 1. Lowery, B, 1:04.06; 2. Smith, DA; 3. Keefer, H. 100 Breast: 1. Scordato, B, 1:12.71; 2. Mellgard, C; 3. Link, DA. 400 Free Relay: 1. Dover, 3:48.93; 2. Clearfield; 3. Mifflin County.

Central Mountain Swim Team – Arctic Swim Classic - Rodo and Suter Break School Records

Hard work and dedication pay off. That was evident on Saturday as the Central Mountain swim team participated in the annual Artic Swim Classic Invitational in Clearfield. Both boys and girls finished with impressive, personal best times, with the boys placing seventhin the 10-team event and the girls finishing ninth. “Terrific competition,if they were giving out heat ribbons, almost every swimmer would have come home with one”, Coach Matheny said. “I am definitely more than pleased with the way everyone swam. We had a good day.”

District qualifier Hannah Worden

The Wildcats notched a handful of top ten efforts. On the girl’s side,Medley Relay team of Bethany Barrett, Hannah Williams, Hannah Worden and Autumn Shultz, finished anotable tenth place with a time of 2:19:39. Senior Autumn Shultz placed ninth in her 100 yard Freestyle, while the 200 yard Free Relay team of Sackett, Shultz, Barrett and Worden swam a 1:58:98 finishing seventh out of seventeen teams.  “Terrific competition, “Coach Matheny said. “This was a season best for the girls, not to mention that CM had not swum this event under two minutes in the past six years.   Click on 'Read More' below to read the rest of the article.

CMHS Boys Swim team(4-1)beats Huntington – Girls fall short

Final Score: (Boys) Central Mountain – 81 – Huntingdon - 72
Final Score: (Girls) Central Mountain 61– Huntingdon - 88
"Our team did very well," Central Mountain coach, Carol Matheny said. "We had some personal best times and we're just really starting the season. The team is really meshing together as a unit. “I’m very happy all around with our performance."

Williamsport's Sidewalks and Riverwalk Better Start Making Money

"If we're going to have these pools, they are going to have to pay for themselves," Mayor Gabe Campana said on the possibility of closing the city pools in todays edition of the Wiliamsport Sun Gazette here.   Williamsport's sidewalks and Riverwalk better start making money or they are next.  So much for the public good.

And you families that cannot afford to own a backyard swimming pool or live in an apartment complex without a yard to place a pool, go swim in the Susquehanna River! 

PS - How much money does a Williamsport sidewalk actually make in a week anyways?

Eastern Lycoming Invite

The meet starts at 1:00 PM; warm-ups start at 12:00 PM; arrival time 11:30 AM.
Below is the schedule of the events for the meet as well as the registation form (at the bottom of this blog entry). There are no entry fees for this meet.

Click to enlarge

Here is how the meet will be run: No relays. There is no separation between boys and girls either -- each age group will be combined with the boys and girls competing against each other (seeded by their times). The 14 & Under age group will be now lumped into a 13-18 age group. The first 2 events listed "Mixed 13-18 200" and "Mixed 11-12 200" is an event where the kids can choose the stroke they want to swim; i.e., 200 backstroke; 200 breastroke; 200 butterfly; 200 freestyle.

This is an excellent opportunity for the kids who are trying to make it to Districts as it gives them another "meet" in which to try and qualify in the event they are close to a District time in.

Please return this paperwork by WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11th to Jersey Shore coach Patty Kennelley.

If your child plans on attending this meet, why not think about being a timer or official. We will also need parents to help get the kids ready for their events since the kids will not be sitting in the pool area but rather in a "gym".

Thank you and as always let me know if you have any questions.

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Jersey Shore Swimmers in Motion

Check out the pictures of Jersey Shore swimmers in action.  Pictures of Jersey Shore High School v Lewisburg (January 5, 2012) can be found here while a collection of photos from yesterday's Jersey Shore YMCA meet with Bellefonte can be found here.

Jersey Shore Swimmer Recognized on National Level

Often times, when swimmers are recognized on the national level, it is often dealing with their fast times and future as a superstar swimmer.  Jersey Shore swimmer, Natasha Harkey, is also being recognized for her speed.  However, it is not speed in the racing pool that has propelled her into the national spotlight but the speed in which she reacted to several drownings while on vacation.  Her story can be read here and here. 

Every year, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and USA Swimming Foundation have a Lifesaver of the Year contest.  Nominees are vetted for their efforts and ten are selected as finalists.  Natasha’s efforts were recognized with nine other individuals. The winner will receive an all-expense paid trip for two to San Diego, California, where he or she will be honored at the 11th Annual National Drowning Prevention Symposium set for March 7-10, 2012.

Public voting is now open to choose the winner; votes will be collected for one month through the end of January.  

For more information about the contest and to cast your ballot, go to http://www.facebook.com/NationalDrowningPreventionAlliance and select the Lifesaver of the Year tab. 

You may also link directly to the contest voting page here: http://apps.facebook.com/lifesaveroftheyear/contests/144881/voteable_entries

Jersey Shore High School Swim Teams Over Lewisburg

Nice article in today's Lock Haven Express, here,  on the win by both Jersey Shore's girls and boys high school swim teams over Lewisburg.

JS Girls 84 - Lewisburg Girls 78
JS Boys 62 - Lewisburg Boys 46

Pool Closing in Williamsport

Another pool closing is occuring in Central Pennsylvania as Memorail Park Pool is slated to close for this summer until they decide if they want to repair or shut down.  More information can be found here.  The Jersey Shore Swim blog hopes that the public pool situation in Williamsport doesn't go the way of the Montoursville pool here but the way of the South Williamsport pool here.

Swim Times Posted

Results of the Jersey Shore YMCA v. Lock Haven swim meet on December 10, 2011 can be found here.  The results from other meets will also be posted under the PAGES section on the upper left hand of this blog page.  Click on the event and it will take you to the meet results.

Reviewing the 2011 Jersey Shore Swim Blog Numbers

The start of a new year is always exciting as it allows one to anticipate a fresh start but it is also a time of reflection of the previous year.  So here are some interesting numbers from the 2011 year at the Jersey Shore Swim Blog utilizing Google Analytics.

From January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011, the site was visited by 6,378 different people for a total of 10,841 visits.  Visitors viewed 24,683 pages and looked at 2.28 pages per visit.  Average time spent on the site was 1.5 minutes.  That is not to bad considering  1) some visits were less than 5 seconds (probably looking for information on the TV show Jersey Shore or looking for information on swimming at the Jersey Shore in New Jersey) and 2) many blog postings throughout the year were very short, sometimes just a picture or small paragraph.  

People from every state in the US visited the Jersey Shore Swim Blog.  As expected, Pennsylvania was at the top of the list with viewers ( 6,615 visits) followed by Kentucky (some former swim families from Jersey Shore keep track of their relatives on a regular basis).

Pennsylvania visitors represented 323 different towns/cities with Jersey Shore residents at the top followed by Williamsport and Lock Haven (see figure below).  Of the 1,101 Jersey Shore visitors to the site, 782 are regulars as they have visited more than once.   Hopefully, they are using the site to gain information about swimming within the community.  Whereas the US average time spent on this site was 1.5 minutes, Jersey Shorians spent an average of 2.5 minutes when at the site.

Click to enlarge

Jersey Shore Is Awash With Swimmers

The Jersey Shore area has an incredible number of swimmers but the question is how to get these kids and their parents interested in competitive swimming.  When you look at an aerial or satellite view of Jersey Shore and surrounding towns (look at pictures below) it is amazing how many homeowners have pools.  Apparently, parents want their kids to have fun and feel comfortable around water.  The Jersey Shore Swim Blog also suspects many parents view it as a form of exercise for their kids.   This situation is probably very similar in the Lock Haven and Williamsport community.

How does the swimming community promote YMCA winter swim team, summer swim team, and/or USA swimming to these swimmers?  How does the swimming community promote all the positive aspects of competetive swimming to parents? 

This is just a shot of two blocks with a section of Jersey Shore.  How many pools do you see?  Click on photo to enlarge.  Answer at the bottom of this post.

This is just a shot of a section within Avis (part of the Jersey Shore School District). How many pools do you see?  Click on photo to enlarge.  Answer at the bottom of this post.

 It appears that there are 5 swimming pools of various sizes in the Jersey Shore picture and 4 (possibly 6) in the snapshot of the nearby town of Avis.  Multiple this small area over all the blocks and area in Jersey Shore, Avis, Antes Fort, Nippenose Valley, Waterville, Salladsburg, and all the small developments (and lets not forget all the river lots that line the West Branch of the Susquehanna River) and Jersey Shore is dripping with swimmers.

Stocking the YMCA Winter Swim Team Concession Stand

Jersey Shore's first HOME swim meet will be held on Saturday, January 7th. As a reminder, all families are asked to bring a one-time donation of either Soda, Gatorade, or Water to be used for our home meets. In an effort to make sure we receive a variety of different drinks for the meets, the Concession Stand Volunteers are asking that families with the last names starting with:

A-L bring in an 8 pack of Gatorade
M-P bring in a 36 pack of 16.9 oz. bottles of water
R-Z bring in a 24 pack of any soda in 12 oz. cans

Everyone is asked to bring their Gatorade/Water/Soda donation to this first home swim meet on January 7th. Please make sure you let someone know you brought your donation and your name will be crossed of the list they are keeping.

Also, there is a food donation list on the bulletin board at the pool. Please make sure you look over this list to see if there are any donations still needed. The food donations are needed for all home meets.

If anyone has any questions, please call Marci at 337-3316.

Jersey Shore YMCA Winter Swim Team Wishes the Swimming World a Merry Christmas

Coaches Dave Keegan, Patty Kennelley and the various age groups (10-and-unders above with the 12-and-overs below) wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  Taken at Thursday's practice where they swam the "12 Days of Christmas".  Click photos to enlarge

Williamsport HS v Bloomsburg

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Jersey Shore YMCA vs Lock Haven

This write-up was not posted until a scoring discrepancy was resolved from the December 10 swim meet.

Going to a YMCA swim meet between Lock Haven and Jersey Shore is like one big family event.  There are rivalries (what family doesn’t have them) and there is a lot of intermingling between swimmers and parents.  The distance over Pine Creek and the West Branch of the Susquehanna is short so these swimming families get to know each other on a regular basis.  Whereas Jersey Shore has had the upper hand the past several years in these ‘family gatherings’, Lock Haven was able to prevail at the December 10 swim meet, 6-4.

Jersey Shore head coach Dave Keegan
watches over swimmers during
warmups.

The Lock Haven Loggerheads captured all the boy’s groups from the 10-and-ups to the 15-and-overs.  The opening relay for Lock Haven set the tone as the 15-and-over foursome of Phil Rodo, Ben Jones, Tyler Sheets, and Jordan Suter swam a 2:03.21 which was fast enough to qualify them for YMCA Western Districts in March.  

The competition was high in the 14-and-under boys as the teams split the individual events.   Lock Haven’s Nolan Dale took firsts in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle while his brother captured the 100 yard breaststroke.  Shore’s Cody Schwoyer touched the wall first in the 200 yard individual medley and 100 yard backstroke while teammate Luke Engel won the 100 yard butterfly.  It was the relays that decided this age group as Brandon Kibler, E. Dale, N. Dale, and Mark Myers won both the 200 yard medley and freestyle relays. 

“The 13-14 boys were a pleasant surprise,” said Shore head coach Dave Keegan, “considering we had only four swimmers in that age group for the meet.”  “We have one new swimmer in that age group (Zach Lehman) who had never swim before and he turned in a couple of good swims and a strong leg in the relay”.

While Lock Haven took all the boy’s groups from the 10-and-ups to the 15-and-overs it was Jersey Shore that did the same on the girl’s side.   The 12-and-unders dominated their age group as they won all the individual events and both relays.  The only exception was Loggerheads Saddie Powers who won the 50 yard freestyle as Shore’s Hannah Stemler and Laura Zeigler pulled into second and third respectively.

It was the newest and youngest age groups that decided the meet as both the 8-and-under boys and girls were won by Lock Haven.  “The Lock Haven YMCA has had a lot of brand new swimmers that are excited about the sport and are improving after every meet”, said Lock Haven’s coach Joel Blesh.  
The 8-and-under Shore girls went on to capture four of the individual events to Haven’s two but it was the two relays that did the girls in as the Loggerheads Madison Bair, Caitlyn, Evie Jane Rembold, and Emily Bartlett won both the opening and closing events.

Lock Haven’s 8-and-under boys were a little more dominating but could not control the individual freestyle events.  Shore’s Caleb Stemler won the 50 yard freestyle while he and teammates Aaron Baker and Dylan Kitchen captured the top three slots in the 50 yard freestyle respectively.

Is Williamsport High School Swimming Slowly Dying?

Click to enlarge.

Most high school sports have a youth or feeder program that introduces youth into the 'nuts and bolts' of a  particular sport.  Local high school baseball players get their start on the Little League baseball fields while basketball players get to experience the hardcourt in youth basketball leagues such as the John Bower League (local church winter league that is the 'Oldest and Largest Church League in America').  Future soccer players get a taste of the pitch in AYSO leagues. 

Where do kids get their first exposure to competitive swimming?  For many, it is the YMCA winter swim teams.  It is chance for both swimmers and parents to get a taste of not only the excitement and fun of swimming but the commitment and dedication that is required in this sport (the Jersey Shore Swim blog is not singling out swimming in this aspect as all sports require commitment and dedication).

But what is the future of Williamsport High School swimming when the Williamsport YMCA dropped competitive swimming?  It can't be for lack of pool space as there is a pool at the Williamsport YMCA.   Sure the pool is old and the Y leadership has recognized this and is looking to build a new facility with a new pool, but it is still usable. See here.

The Jersey Shore YMCA swim team has been in nomadic status (good grief, what a disaster that has been and should be another story on this blog) as the team has traveled into Williamsport to swim at a variety of pools (such as Lycoming College, Williamport YMCA, and the Williamsport High School).  The point here is that there are pools in Williamsport that are available and can be used by youth.

When there was some talk of closing the Jersey Shore High School pool this past spring, swimmers and swimming parents flooded the school board meetings to express their disapproval.  Where is the swimming community in Williamsport on this issue (where was it when they closed the Montoursville outdoor pool for that matter)?  Can it be that the largest city in central Pennsylvania does not have a swim community?  Or that parents don't care? 

Without a youth swim team in the community, Williamsport High School swimming will go into a slow decline.

Jersey Shore Swimmer Recognized for Athletic, Academic, and Community Accomplishments



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Where is the Williamsport YMCA Swim Team?

Below is an article from the Lock Haven Express detailing a swim meet between the Lock Haven YMCA and Williamsport thirty years ago (from the 1981-1982 winter swim team season).  Now, competition with Williamsport Y is a distant memory.  Why?  Are there no pools in Williamsport?  Are there no kids interested in swimming in the largest city in central Pennsylvania?  Is the Williamsport Y not interested in offering this activity to the locals?  Did the swimming parents run the program into the ground?  Could no coaches be found?

It is a shame that the Williamsport community could not pull together and provide the youth of their community the opportunity to swim competitively.

Lock Haven Express article from the 1981-1982 YMCA winter swim meet
between Lock Haven and Williamsport.  Clipping courtesy of the Steve Sheets family.
Click on photo to enlarge

Central Mountain HS vs Mifflin County HS

Photos from the December 13, 2012 issue of
the Lock Haven Express, pg B-1.Click to enlarge

Jersey Shore YMCA v Lock Haven YMCA - Pictures

Swim team parent Shelley Moore set up a site to view meet pictures. Just go to http://shoreswimming.winkflash.com/ to view pictures from yesterdays swim meet.

Lock Haven YMCA vs Juniata Valley YMCA

Many Jersey Shore and Lock Haven swimmers practice together, go to camps together, compete together, and compete against each other. As a result of this close relationship between the two communities, swim team parent Rachelle Sheets will be a contributing blogger to this site. Her postings will keep readers informed on events and happenings in Lock Haven area swimming.  More of her posts can be found by looking at "Happenings in Lock Haven Area Swimming" on the Labels side bar.

Early Saturday morning on November 26th the Loggerheads travelled to the impressive Juniata Valley YMCA Stingrays facility (located outside of Lewistown) to swim in a YMCA formatted exhibition meet.

Because of losing two teams in recent years, Head Coach Joel Blesh decided to contact another YMCA out of our League to see if they would be interested in swimming. Juniata's coach was all for it and invited the Loggerheads to compete in their pool.

This was an excellent opportunity for the new swimmers and veterans to get some "meet experience", though it didn't not count for an official record. All the swimmers on both teams competed hard and excellent times were swam by all.

Julius Tomalonis swimming butterfly

Some of the highlights were the 12 & U boys sweeping both relays (Medley: J. Sheets, B. Powell, J. Tomalonis, and T. Cygan) (Freestyle: B. Powell, J. Sheets, and Julius & Jonas Tomalonis). The 12 & U girls also swept their relays (Medley: N. Moore, S. Powers, M. Haftl & O. McGee) (Freestyle: S. Powers, N. Moore, D. Pillai & M. Haftl).

The meet ended with a 7-3 Juniata victory, however the age groups that the Loggerheads lost were very close. We thank the Juniata Stingrays for their hospitality and great competition in the pool and look forward to meeting them again.

Jersey Shore Swimmers Race in Nittany Lion Aquatic Club's Winter Splash

Twenty USA swim clubs participated in the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club's Winter Splash this past weekend.  Several Jersey Shore swimmers went over for the three day event. The results can be viewed here.

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YMCA Level II Swim Officials Clinic

Jersey Shore YMCA Swim Parents,
If you are a Level I official and are willing/interested in becoming a Level II official, there is a class on:

Sunday, December 11, 2011
Bloomsburg University
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

The registration form (below) must be signed by either Liz Miranda or Seth Welsh at the Jersey Shore YMCA. You may bring the form and money to the clinic. Please email brad.bason@yahoo.com or call phone him (570-271-1314) to let him know that you are coming so that he has enough materials duplicated.

There are a few pre-requisites for this class:

For New Level II officials: minimum 1 year as a YMCA of the USA Level I official and have worked a minimum of 8 sessions.

For Level II Re-certification: Previous Level II Certification and have worked a minimum of 12 sessions over the previous 3 year certification period.

Documentation of worked sessions should be provided to the trainer.

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New Record for 2011 Summer Swim Season

Several new records for the 2011 summer swim season were broken but an avid follower of the Jersey Shore Swim blog noticed that the Jersey Shore Summer Swim Team records didn't quite match up to some of the results from the 2011 season.  A new record occured in the Wellsboro vs Jersey Shore swim meet when the 8-and-under girls 100 meldey relay of Lily Dincher, Allison Moore, Meaghan Keegan, and Isabele Griswold captured first with a time of 1:30.58.  Congratulations girls!

Bellefonte Invitational Results

Bellefonte Invitational at Lock Haven University
Saturday, December 3, 2011

Jersey Shore YMCA (JSY)
Lock Haven YMCA (LHY)
Bloomsburg YMCA (BAY)
Eastern Lycoming YMCA (ELY)
Bellefonte YMCA (BYMCA)

6 and Under Girls
25 Free 1. Morris, M., BAY, 0:19.74; 2. Neff, T., BAY, 0:22.43; 3. Billmeyer, A., BAY, 0:27.33
25 Back: 1. Neff, T., BAY, 0:22.97; 2. McCool, K., BYMCA, 0:27.48; 3. Haney, A., BAY, 0:28.50

6 and Under Boys
25 Free: 1. Hanna, J., LHY, 0:28.43; 2. Schnars, G., BYMCA, 0:38.04
25 Back: 1. Hanna, J., LHY, 0:42.45

Mixed 8 and Under
100 Medley Relay: 1. BAY, 1:32.93 (Lavery, R.; Truslowe, S.; Haney, L.; Ashtar, J.); 2. BAY, 1:36.07(Keister, B.; Robbins, T.; McHenry, S.; Lewis, A.); 3. BYMCA, 1:38.30 (Albright, B.; Welsh, S.; Lucas, C.; Bloom, R.)
100 Free Relay: 1. BAY, 1:20.26 (Robbins, T.; Keister, B.; Haney, L.; Lewis, A.); 2. BAY, 1:28.77 (Ashtar, J.; Madden, B.; Empie, G.; Truslowe, S.); 3. BAY, 1:36.21 (Morris, M.; Lavery, R.; Haney, A.; Yoduck, E.)

8 and Under Girls
25 Free 1. Lewis, A., BAY, 0:16.71; 2. Keegan, M., JSY, 0:17.61; 3. Welsh, S., BYMCA, 0:19.04
25 Fly: 1. Keegan, M., JSY, 0:19.91; 2. McHenry, S., BAY, 0:21.28; 3. Wallis, S., ELY, 0:23.73
50 Free: 1. Lewis, A., BAY, 0:40.49; 2. Keegan, M., JSY, 0:42.50; 3. Harris, M., BYMCA, 0:46.39
25 Back: 1. Lavery, R., BAY, 0:20.94; 2. McHenry, S., BAY, 0:21.58; 3. Yoduck, E., BAY, 0:23.44
25 Breast: 1. Keegan, M., JSY, 0:25.07; 2. Welsh, S., BYMCA, 0:25.51; 3. Ashtar, J., BAY, 0:25.63

8 and Under Boys
25 Free: 1. Stemler, C., JSY, 0:17.49; 2. Madden, B., BAY, 0:17.63: 3. Bloom, R., BYMCA, 0:18.89
25 Fly: 1. Kishbaugh, N., BAY, 0:18.80; 2. Madden, B., BAY, 0:20.09
50 Free: 1. Kishbaugh, N., BAY, 0:39.37; 2. Stemler, C., JSY, 0:40.80; 3. Bloom, R., BYMCA, 0:43.36
25 Back: 1. Stemler, C., JSY, 0:23.51; 2. Straley, W., LHY, 0:24.75; 3. Baker, A., JSY, 0:26.30
25 Breast: 1. Madden, B., BAY, 0:27.65

Mixed 10 and Under
200 Medley Relay: 1. BAY, 2:39.31 (Stamatedes, D.; Bennett, C.; Faust, D.; Truslowe, J.); 2. BAY, 2:58.43 (Delese, A.; Hintz, T.; Stine, L.; McHenry, R.); 3. BYMCA, 3:13.13 (Cole, M.; Cole, Z.; Purnell, J.; Besch, J.)
200 Free Relay: 1. BAY, 2:34.89 (Delese, A.; Bennett, C.; Stine, L.; Truslowe, J.); 2. JSY, 2:42.78 (Griswold, I.; Yakut, A.; Sorgen, M.; Fleming, T.); 3. BAY, 2:49.49 (Hintz, T.; Cera, N.; Koschchkoff-Rapkin, A. ; McHenry, R.)

10 and Under Girls
50 Free: 1. Fleming, T, JSY, 0:34.49; 2. Keller, S., ELY, 0:34.78; 3. Shaffer, B., ELY, 0:35.04
100 IM: 1. Cole, Z., BYMCA, 1:25.06; 2. Fleming, T., JSY, 1;28.18; 3. Keller, S., ELY, 1:31.03
25 Fly: 1. Cole, Z., BYMCA, 0:40.45; 2. Boring, K., ELY, 0:46.52; 3. Helms, C., BYMCA, 0:49.50
100 Free: 1. Shaffer, B., ELY, 1:19.36; 2. Besch, C., BYMCA, 1:27.72; 3. Hoffman, N., BYMCA, 1:37.41
50 Back: 1. Helms, C., BYMCA, 0:44.76; 2. Cole, M., BYMCA, 0:46.00; 3. Randall, A., ELY, 0:46.90
50 Breast: 1. Cole, Z., BYMCA, 0:43.95; 2. Keller, S., ELY, 0:46.12; 3. Patel, A., ELY, 0:46.26

10 and Under Boys
50 Free: 1. Purnell, J., BYMCA, 0:34.17; 2. Williams, L., LHY, 0:35.88; 3. Stine, L., BAY, 0:36.09
100 IM: 1. Faust, D., BAY, 1:22.25; 2. Bennett, C., BAY, 1:32.29; 3. Kishbaugh, N., BAY, 1:41.00
25 Fly: 1. Faust, D., BAY, 0:36.54; 2. LaCroix, B., BAY, 0:48.35; 3. Garrison, J., ELY, 0:53.85
100 Free: 1. Purnell, J., BYMCA, 1:18.77; 2. Truslowe, J., BAY, 1:18.81; 3. Stine, L., BAY, 1:20.06
50 Back: 1. Faust, D., BAY, 0:39.30; 2. Stamatedes, D., BAY, 0:45.84; 3. Butzler, A., JSY, 0:46.57
50 Breast: 1. Truslowe, J., BAY, 0:46.46; 2. Bennett, C., BAY, 0:47.05; 3. Purnell, J., BYMCA, 0:56.79

Mixed 12 and Under
200 Medley Relay: 1. BAY, 2:11.46 (Decker, R.; Neff, K.; Madden, J.; Everhart, H.); 2. BYMCA, 2:17.55 (Welsh, K.; Feldman, B.; Welsh, E.; Forstmeier, P.); 3. JSY, 2:20.69 (Stemler, H.; White, K.; Moore, G.; Stemler, O.)
200 Free Relay: 1. BAY, 2:04.03 (Decker, R.; Bason, E.; Edelstein, E.; Madden, J.); 2. BAY, 2:15.21 (Truax, T.; Koser, D.; Wright, M.; Hogue, E.); 3. BAY 2:20.57 (Resele, J.; Fuller, K.; Ashtar, R.; Lynn, M.)

12 and Under Girls
50 Free: 1. Moore, G., JSY, 0:29.06; 2. White, K., JSY, 0:29.46; 3. Welsh, E., BYMCA, 0:29.96
50 Fly: 1. Moore, G., JSY, 0:31.65; 2. Welsh, E., BYMCA, 0:32.68; 3. White, K., JSY, 0:33.48
100 Free: 1. Everhart, H., BAY, 1:00.79; 2. Butzler, E., JSY, 1:00.90; 3. Edelstein, E., BAY, 1:08.51
50 Back: 1. Moore, G., JSY, 0:34.23; 2. Walsh, E., BYMCA, 0:35.62; 3. Decker, R., BAY, 0:35.59
50 Breast: 1. Neff, K., BAY, 0:38.06; 2. Wright, M., BAY, 0:38.70; 3. Keegan, S., JSY, 0:39.34

12 and Under Boys
50 Free: 1. Forstmeier, P., BYMCA, 0:30.77; 2. Feldman, B., BYMCA, 0:31.50; 3. Crawford, J., BAY, 0:33.82
50 Fly: 1. Lowery, I., BYMCA, 0:35.03; 2. Feldman, B., BYMCA, 0:37.29; 3. Smith, K., BAY, 0:40.10
100 Free: 1. Forstmeier, P., BYMCA, 1:09.49; 2. Lowery, I., BYMCA, 1:11.10; 3. Schwoyer, Z., JSY, 1:11.73
50 Back: 1. Forstmeier, P., BYMCA, 0:37.45; 2. Schwoyer, Z., JSY, 0:41.73; 3. Sitachitta, M., ELY, 0:47.28
50 Breast: 1. Crawford, J., BAY, 0:38.22; 2. Feldman, B., BYMCA, 0:40.52; 3. Schwoyer, Z., JSY, 0:46.89

Mixed 13 and Over
200 Medley Relay: 1. BAY, 1:48.78 (Calhoun,S.; Bennett, F.; Szilagyi, S.; Bason, M.); 2. ELY, 1:57.84, (Frazier, D.; Shulick, D.; Mahaffey, A.; Sullivan, A.); 3. BAY, 1:59.29 (Stein, T.; Crawford, N.; Fornwald, M.; Lacroix, D.)
200 Free Relay: 1. BAY, 1:50.72 (Knorr, P.; Rafel, H.; Treadway, M.; Mercer, S.); 2. BAY, 1:55.66 (Difilippo, S.; Fink, A.; Stayer, K.; Sengupta, T.); 3. ELY, 1:47.93 (Stanley, J.; Shulick, D.; Klauss, C.; Bitler, P.)

13 and Over Girls
100 Fly: 1. Fedor, M., BYMCA, 1:11.04; 2. Dunne, C., ELY, 1:15.53; 3. Cheesman, L., BAY, 1:16.99
100 Back: 1. Crust, C., BYMCA, 1:07.52; 2. Knorr, P., BAY, 1:09.52; 3. Fedor, M., BYMCA, 1:10.27
100 Breast: 1. Difilippo, N., BAY, 1:20.39; 2. Coombe, C., BAY, 1:21.68; 3. Duck, M., BYMCA, 1:23.08

13 and Over Boys
100 Fly: 1. Szilagyi, S., BAY, 0:54.95; 2. Frazier, D., ELY, 1:00.03; 3. Chamberlain, I., BAY, 1:02.50
100 Back: 1. Newman, J., BYMCA, 1:00.69; 2. Frazier, D., ELY, 1:00.73; 3. Schnars, C., BYMCA, 1:01.06
100 Breast: 1. Crawford, N., BAY, 1:08.18; 2. Bennett, F., BAY, 1:08.41; 3. Cram, J., BYMCA, 1:10.14

14 and Under Girls
50 Free: 1. Knorr, P, BAY, 0:27.50; 2. Yocum, L., BAY, 0:28.49; 3. Fedor, M., BYMCA, 0:28.71
100 Free: 1. Treadway, M, BAY, 1:00.62; 2. Rafel, H., BAY, 1:02.40; 3. Coombe, C., BAY, 1:07.06

14 and Under Boys
50 Free: 1. Rowland, N., BYMCA, 0:27.15; 2. Geary, J., ELY, 0:27.31; 3. Kibler, B., LHY, 0:27.65
100 Free: 1. Orzolek, J., BAY, 0:58.15; 2. Kibler, B., LHY, 1:01.55; 3. Dale, N., LHY, 1:02.01

15 and Over Girls
50 Free: 1. Lowery, G., BYMCA, 0:26.59; 2. Difilippo, N., BAY, 0:27.99; 3. Shultz, A., LHY, 0:29.65
100 Free: 1. Lowery, G., BYMCA, 0:57.66; 2. Crust, C., BYMCA, 0:58.70; 3. Sengupta, T., BAY, 1:00.17

15 and Over Boys
50 Free: 1. Sullivan, A., ELY, 0:22.65; 2. Frazier, D., ELY, 0:23.42; 3. Rodo, P., LHY, 0:23.87
100 Free: 1. Szilagyi, S., BAY, 0:52.41; 2. Calhoun, S., BAY, 0:52.38; 3. Rodo, P., LHY, 0:53.75

Girls
200 IM: 1. Lowery, G., BYMCA, 2:21.92; 2. Mercer, S., BAY, 2:29.14; 3. Butzler, E., JSY, 2:38.21
200 Free: 1. Crust, C., BYMCA, 2:06.93; 2. Mercer, S., BAY, 2:08.53; 3. Sengupta, T., BAY, 2:14.12

Boys
200 IM: 1. Bason, M., BAY, 2:17.06; 2. Bennett, F., BAY, 2:20.54; 3. Scordato, P., BYMCA, 2:23.32
200 Free: 1. Sullivan, A., ELY, 1:55.47; 2. Calhoun, S., BAY, 1:56.33; 3. Szilagyi, S., BAY, 1:56.40

Deadline Approaching

As some of you know, the Jersey Shore Swimming Association is offering a Clothing Sale right now. Typically, we don't offer hoodies and sweats during our summer clothing sale, but there have been several request for them during the summer.

So, here is your chance! :) If you need "warmer clothing" for your swimmer for the early weeks of the summer season, the orders are to be back to us before Christmas. Presents maybe? ;)

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The order form and image of clothing options are attached for your convenience.

In order for us to get these items back in time for Christmas the orders need to be back to us by Monday, December 5th. There will no late orders. The winter team will be at the high school pool from 5:45pm to about 8:20pm or so both tonight and Monday night. You can drop your order forms and money off there... If you would like to order, but can't get to the pool either of those days, email me and we can work out a pick-up arrangement.

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Pools and Economic Development

Every time Jersey Shore athletes swim at the Penn State's McCoy Natatorium for a swim meet, one swim team parent always says the following; "Of all the athletic facilities at Penn State, this natatorium is the only one that hasn't been updated."

Well here you go, Architect approved for Natatorium expansion and can be viewed here

One quote that is particularily interesting is the following; “There also is an economic development aspect, as the larger pool will attract more meets such as the PIAA which Penn State had until Bucknell built a 50-meter pool several years ago,” Bodenschatz said. “There also are USA swimming regional meets, YMCA meets and more that Penn State will host, bringing families to Center County and prospective students to campus.”

Jersey Shore Swim Parents Volunteer Over 1300 Hours to YMCA

Whether it is Little League Baseball, Band Booster Club, or Boy Scouts, volunteers determine whether the youth experience is a successful endeavor or a tough slog. Swimming is no different.

To determine the impact of swim volunteers, an analysis was done on volunteer efforts during last years Jersey Shore YMCA winter swim team season (2010 - 2011) to determine their impact.  Hours were counted for such things as people working swim meets, fundraiser events, volunteer coaching, officials meetings, and organizing the annual banquet. Some pretty impressive numbers were found.

It takes 102 volunteer hours to run a home meet as parents time (need 12 throughout the course of a home meet), officiate, man the scorers table, and serve refreshments at the food table.  It only takes 46 volunteer hours to run an away meet as the home team provides the majority of timers.

Volunteer coaches really racked up some impressive numbers as Dave Keegan donated over 250 hours and the coaching duo of Todd and Shelley Moore also donated 250 hours of coaching.

The estimated dollar value of volunteer time for Pennsylvania is $20.51 per hour for 2010, according to the Independent Sector, a coalition of charities, foundations, corporations, and individuals that publishes research important to the nonprofit sector.

Swim parents donated 1360 hours to the Jersey Shore YMCA.  Using the above volunteer time at $20.51, then swim parents donated $27,893.60!!!

The YMCA Swim Team would not run and be successful without the parents!

2011 YMCA Swim Meet Schedule

The first dual meet is right around the corner but first, a tune-up with the Bellefonte Invitational on December 3.

click schedule to enlarge

Jersey Shore Swimmers Excel Beyond High School

Here is a look at two former Jersey Shore swimmers, Jenna Brooks and Maddie Thompson, that are doing pretty well in college/college prep swimming.  Maddie placed very high in several events in the 2011 Mercersburg Closed Invitational and the results can be viewed here.  Jenna Brooks is part of a Lock Haven swim team that is close to breaking in the Top 25 Division II rankings.  Her effort can be viewed here.

Bellefonte Invitational

Looking for a fun way to kick off the start of the YMCA swim season?  Check out the Bellefonte Invitational!  Some pretty neat relays!  This event will take place on December 3 at Lock Haven University.


Bellefonte Invitational Events. 



Jersey Shore Swim Gear Available for Christmas

This clothing sale will be just in time for Christmas gift giving - in order for this to happen though, all orders must be returned no later than Dcember 5th.   Late orders will not be taken.

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click on form to enlarge

YMCA Winter Swim is Truly Cold

Not sure why there are issues with the Jersey Shore High School Pool (they have had several months to work on it) but the water is COLD!!!  Below is the official first swim practice at the high school pool (they have had several practices at the Williamsport Y and Lycoming College)

Jersey Shore YMCA Swim Team Wreath Fundraiser a Success



Several Jersey Shore swimmers and their parents spent Sunday morning prepping wreaths to be distibuted throughout the community.  This is one of their major fundraisers to allow the winter YMCA swim team to function.

Wreaths unloaded into the YMCA



Several parents working on the bows

Several parents and swimmers placing cones onto wreath

Finished wreaths are laid outside the Jersey Shore YMCA for pick-up

The 'Wreath Crew'

All Hands On Deck

As of last count we are down in sales by over 200 wreaths, with just under 350 units sold.  While this is not ideal (as this is what pays the coaches’ salaries and how we keep our registration prices so low compared to the other local YMCA swim teams) it will cover a good portion of the team expenses.  We need a bit more help to see this fundraiser through to completion.  Please volunteer as much as your schedule allows as it is parent participation that makes this team as great as it is!!!

 

Sunday Morning, November 20 – the wreaths are delivered to the YMCA by 10 am and we will need volunteers to help unload the truck.  Please send an email to smoore@pct.edu if you can be at the YMCA at 9:45am to help prepare the room and help unload the truck.  As always the more volunteers we have the quicker we will get done!  We need a MINIMUM of 5 to 7 volunteers to carry this off.

 

Sunday Late Morning, November 20 – volunteers needed by 10:15am at the JS YMCA so we can prepare/organize the wreaths for pick-up (we have to put on around 600 pinecones!). This is the bulk of our workload and we need a minimum of about 20 parents/swimmers to get the wreaths processed for pick-up.  Again, please send an email to smoore@pct.edu if you can help add pinecones to the wreaths and sort/prepare the orders. We also need to “pull” about 350 bows…so keeping with the “theme” the more volunteers we have, the quicker we can get everything organized!!!  With just under 400 units, we will need all the help we can get, so bring your helpful swimmer(s) along with you!  (Even the littlest swimmers are excellent helpers at the wreath sale!

 

Sunday Afternoon, November 20 – volunteers needed by 11:30am at the JS YMCA for distribution and pick-up. If you aren’t available to help in the morning, please consider helping organize the distribution, pick-up and clean-up (boy there are a lot of pine needles after we get done!)  We need a minimum of 10 to 15 parents/swimmers to get the wreaths processed for pick-up.  Again, please send an email to smoore@pct.edu if you can help with this time. 

Veteran Parents…Please note ADJUSTED Pick-up hours are from 11:30am – 1:30pm.  ALL orders MUST be picked up by 1:30pm.

Day 3 - Jersey Shore Swimmers Finish Strong In Nittany Lion Aquatic Club Invitational

Results can be viewed here.

Warm-ups for the start of the Sunday aftenoon
session (click on photo to enlarge).

Stands begin to fill up the the Sunday aftenoon session of the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club Invitational at PSU's McCoy Natatorium (click on photo to enlarge).

Haven Area Aquatic Club coach, Joel Blesh, working with the Jersey Shore and Lock Haven
swimmers during warm-ups.



Jesey Shore teammates Emma, Kendra, and Sam cheer on Gabbie in lane 3 of the 50 yard
backstroke (click on photo to enlarge).



Gabbie encourges teammates Emma (lane 3) and Kendra (lane 4) during
the 100 yard breaststroke (click on photo to enlarge).

Day 2 - Jersey Shore Swimmers at the Nittany Lion Club Invitational

Jersey Shore and Lock Haven swimmers competed on Day 2 (Sat.) at the Nittany Lion Club Invitational at PSU's McCoy Natatorium.

Start of the girls 200 yard individual medley

Learning the Rules

Jersey Shore YMCA head coach, Dave Keegan, attended the Principles of YMCA Competitive Swimming and Diving training session at the Scranton YMCA yesterday.

Ironwomen

Jersey Shore swimmers opened up the competitive swim season on Friday night as they competed in the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club Invitational at Penn State's McCoy Natatorium.

Emma and Kendra all smiles before they tackle the grueling 400 individual medley

Jersey Shore's Number One Swim Fan

We'll Miss You Richard

Dick and Donna Bieda with two of thier grandkids, Emma and Jacob, at the
2011 YMCA States in Penn State's McCoy Natatorium.  Dick passed away today
from complications of a stroke.