Numerous swimmers from the Valley Shore YMCA Marlins swam fast enough during the 2017-’18 short-course season to qualify for several postseason championship meets. The qualifying swimmers were determined at the YMCA New England Championships that were held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts from March 15 to 18.

The competition was open to swimmers who turned in qualifying times from YMCA teams from New England. These swimmers included Brandon Beaudoin of Old Saybrook, Maddie Beaudoin of Old Saybrook, Daniel Chen of Madison, Zoe Cika of Ivoryton, Helen Day of Old Saybrook, Laura Day from Old Saybrook, Lucca Giordano of Centerbrook, Lauren Lee of Old Saybrook, Jack Lowy of Old Saybrook, Anna Macauley from Essex, James Nguyen of Clinton, Kaeleigh O’Donnell of Ivoryton, and Kelsey O’Donnell from Ivoryton. Other qualifiers included Connie Pan of Old Lyme, Donna Park of East Lyme, Egan Rothrock from Deep River, Elly Rothrock of Deep River, Matt Skowronick of Chester, Grace Sweeney of Old Saybrook, Gus Van Berkel from Centerbrook, Kate Van Berkel of Centerbrook, Abigail Vitola of Clinton, Julia Walker of Clinton, Margo Warren of Old Saybrook, and Kyle Wisialowski from Old Saybrook.

In addition, swimmers Laura Day, Lowy, Kaeleigh O’Donnell, Kelsey O’Donnell, Pan, Gus Van Berkel, Vitola, and Sweeney all took part in one or more events at Connecticut Age Group Swim Championships held at Chelsea Piers in Stamford. This meet was also took place from March 15 to 18 and was for Connecticut swimmers aged 14 and under based on qualifying times for their respective age groups.

Finally, Chen, Kaeleigh O’Donnell, and Sweeney qualified to swim at Connecticut Senior Open Championships for swimmers in a division for ages 15 and older, as well as younger swimmers who achieved qualifying times. The Senior Championships were held at Wesleyan University from March 8 to 11. Pan, Sweeney, Chen, and Kaeleigh O’Donnell qualified for the Eastern Zone Championships.

The Valley Shore YMCA Marlins long course season begins on Monday, April 23, and new members are welcome. Interested swimmers can contact head coach Teddy Weeks at weekst11@gmail.com

Information courtesy of Karen Sweeney