Flashback Friday – Remember When It Was Warm?

Several years of blogging have occurred at the Jersey Shore Swim blog with over 700 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 pretty cold outside this week with snow and temperatures into the teens.  While the winter YMCA swim season is just about to start and high schools are gearing up for their first meets, many of us might be wishing for warmer times.  Well, you can go back to the hot, muggy days of this past July and look at all the great swims from the Greater Susquehanna Valley Aquatic League’s Championship meet (results here). 

In addition to reviewing some swimming times, the sequence pictures belowof Jersey Shore at Wellsboro might also get you thinking of warmer days. This meet was a close one.  The final score and age group scores can be found here, and swim times here. 

Swimmers started by sitting or standing on

the pool deck and a few brave ones tried the

dizzying heights of the starting block

Regardless of starting position, all swimmers made it

to the water for great swims

Write-up of this meet plus a few additional pictures can be found here.

Jersey Shore YMCA Swimmers To Meet New And Old

With the creation of a new swim league in central Pennsylvania, Jersey Shore swimmers will not only swim against the familiar competition (Lock Haven, Bellefonte, and Eastern Lycoming) but against some new teams (Ridgeway, State College, Hollidaysburg, and Clearfield).  All the action starts next weekend.

·         December 7, 2013 - Jersey Shore v. Ridgeway @ Lock Haven University (AWAY)

·         December 14, 2013 - Jersey Shore v. State College (HOME-meet is at LHU pool)

·         December 21, 2013 - Jersey Shore v. Eastern Lycoming @ Juniata Valley (AWAY)

·         January 11, 2014 - Jersey Shore @ Eastern Lycoming YMCA (AWAY)

·         January 18, 2014 - Jersey Shore v. Eastern Lycoming @ Clearfield (AWAY)

·         January 25, 2014 - Jersey Shore v. Lock Haven (HOME)

·         February 1, 2014 - Jersey Shore v. Bellefonte (HOME)

·         February 8, 2014 - Jersey Shore v. State College @ Hollidaysburg (AWAY)

·         February 14/15, 2014 – CENKEY Championships @ Clearfield

·         February 14/15, 2014 – Last Chance Meet @ State College

·         February 23, 2014 – Lock Haven Pentathlon

·         March 7-9, 2014 – Central Districts @ York YMCA

·         March 21-23, 2014 – YMCA States @ Penn State University

Please note:  the following meet schedule is tentative and is subject to change.

Wildcat Meet Schedule Set

Click on schedule to enlarge

Clearfield Swimming Sprint Invitational Results

Another meet, another Lock Haven swimmer qualifies for YMCA Districts.  Avery Mahoney (12 and under girl) qualified at the Clearfield meet in 50 yard backstroke and freestyle.  Full results of the meet can be viewed here. 

Shore Swimmer Top Ten In Middle Atlantic USA Swimming Times

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

New Winter Swim League Forms In Central Pennsylvania

This past summer, the Bald Eagle Swim League merged with the Susquehanna Valley Swimming and Diving League to form the Greater Susquehanna Valley Aquatics League (see here for more plus additional links, go here for map).  Now it is the winter swimming teams time to merge.  Starting this winter, the new league, CENKEY (which stands for CENtral KEYstone YMCA Swim League) will cover most of central Pennsylvania. 

Below is the schedule of the Lock Haven Loggerheads

December 7-  Home meet at LHU- Tri meet with Ridgway and Jersey Shore

December 14- Loggerheads @ Juniata Valley

December 21-  Loggerheads, Bellefonte @ State College YMCA

December 28- Loggerhead Alumni Meet at the YMCA (highschool and up)

January 11- Bellefonte @ Loggerheads (LHU)

January 18-  Dubois and Loggerheads @ Brookville

January 25-  Lock Haven @  Jersey Shore

February 1- Lock Haven @ State College

February 8- Clearfield and Clarion @ Loggerheads (LHU)

February 14/15- CENKEY Championships @ Clearfield

February 22- Last Chance meet at State College

February 23- Lock Haven Loggerhead Pentathlon

March- Central Districts at York YMCA

Flashback Friday - Record Breakers

Several years of blogging have occurred at the Jersey Shore Swim blog with over 700 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.

click newspaper clipping to enlarge

It was a foursome that dominated the relays in 2008 with Maddi Thompson, Jenna Brooks, Danielle McPherson, and Sharon Koch setting numerous records in the Bald Eagle Swim League.  

 Brooks went on to swim at Lock Haven University (where she was part of a record setting 200 medley relay).  Koch went on to play softball at St. Francis University.  McPherson went to school to obtain her dental certificate and works in the Williamsport area.  Thompson is the only one still swimming competitively at this time.  She currently swims for Navy.  Some of her recent results can be viewed here and here.

YMCA District Qualifiers Already!

Several Lock Haven swimmers traveled west in early November to take part in the 4th Annual DuBois Area Fall Pentathalon.  Four Loggerhead swimmers already qualified for Y districts with strong early season swims.  They are:

Simon Lins- 50 fly, 50 free, 50 back

Evie Jane Rembold- 50 fly

Tyler Cygan- 50 free

Caitlyn Dale - 50 breast

Full results of the  4th Annual DuBois Area Fall Pentathalon can be found here.

In addition, Nash Berfield and Emma Butzler traveled to the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club USA swim meet and qualified for numerous YMCA events (USA swim times count for YMCA District qualifying times).  Full results can be viewed here.  

Jersey Shore Swimmers - Cross Training and Excelling

The official start of the high school swimming season is right around the corner just as the weather starts to turn.  Before the blog postings start with swimming results, achievements, and other happenings, the swimmers should be recognized for their other athletic accomplishments.

While running is Cody Allen’s first love, he uses swimming to work some different muscles and train for the spring season.  Allen became the first Jersey Shore cross country runner to earn a state medal at the PIAA Cross Country Championships after placing 18th in the boys Class AA race.  You can read the whole article here.

Erin Engle, a summer swimmer for the Jersey Shore Bullfrogs, was part of a doubles tennis team (with Sara Danley) that won the District II/IV AAA Doubles championship over Williamsport 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 to advance to Hershey for the AAA doubles state championships.  You can see a picture of the winning duo here.

Zach Lehman soars above his teammates and opponents
to head the ball.  Click on picture to enlarge.

Jersey Shore boys soccer hasn’t had a winning season in how long?  There aren’t enough fingers on two hands to figure that one out.  This year was different as the boys went 11-7-1 and made the playoffs for the first time in a decade.  Jersey Shore swimmers and soccer starters, Zach Lehman and Michael Panczyszyn, were one of the reasons the boys did so well.  You can get a feel for their success by the Lock Haven Express article here.

Jersey Shore Swim Team Looks To Decorate The Town

It is that time of year when Jersey Shore swimmers look to add to the holiday season and bring good cheer to the community by holding their annual wreath and swag fundraiser.  You can check out the activities from 2010 (here) and 2011 (here) to see their efforts. 

If interested in decorating your door and helping out local swimmers, contact your local Jersey Shore YMCA swimmer OR print off the order form (below) and take down to the YMCA in Jersey Shore on Allegheny Street.

Clearfield Invitational - 3rd Annual Sprint Meet

click on photo to enlarge

Flashback Friday - Old Swimmer, New Coach

Several years of blogging have occurred at the Jersey Shore Swim blog with over 700 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.

Back in the late 70's/early 80's Jim Merinar swam for the Lock Haven YMCA.  He is back now with the YMCA as the Loggerhead's head coach.

Jim Merinar is the tall swimmer in the back row (third from left), click on photo to enlarge.
 Clipping from the Lock Haven Express, courtesy of the Steve Sheets family

Need Swim Lessons?

click on form to enlargge

Autumn Swim Pentathlon

click on form to enlarge

click on form to enlarge

click on form to enlarge

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

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

click on table to enlarge

Time For the Local Community To Step Up And Save A Pool

There has been a flurry of activity the past two weeks to relook at the decision of the Memorial Park Pool closing.  In the October 4th edition of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, it was reported that Mayor Gabriel J. Campana was going to request $250,000 more to pay for repairs in order to open it up by 2015 (here).  Sure enough, one week later, the mayor officially made the request to City Council (see here).  A few days later, City Council advanced it even further by approving an ordinance to repair the pool (see here).

Here is the catch.  There is a small shortfall of monies.  While the city of Williamsport is going to contribute $200,000 (plus a grant in the amount of $250,000 and community development block grant money amounting to $250,000.), they are $50,000 short of the $750,000 required to rehabilitate the pool. 

City Council is looking for the community to help out on this matter. As a result, a meeting will be held 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at the William Sechler Room on the second floor of City Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to hear ideas from any individuals, organizations or groups as they relate to raising the necessary $50,000 for the pool's long-term maintenance and upkeep (see here for more details)

Jersey Shore Looking For Varsity Head Boys and Girls SwimmingCoach

Jersey Shore is looking for a Varsity Head Boys and Girls Swimming Coach

 If you are interested in the position please send a cover letter, resume detailing your swim coaching experience, athletics department application (here), three professional references, Act 34, Act 114 and Act 151 clearances to Bill Mincer, A.D. Jersey Shore Area Senior High School, 701 Cemetery St, Jersey Shore, PA 17740.

Application packets will be accepted until October 17^th.

If you have any questions please give Bill Mincer a call at398-2980.

Pool Funding May Be Dried Up

Residents of Williamsport's African Community struggle to retain recreational opportunities for youth.  More can be read here.