LOW MOOR — The Alleghany Highlands YMCA Dolphins swim team recently capped their season at the PYSA Championships held at the Salem Family YMCA.
Nineteen Dolphins competed in the nine-team PYSA (Piedmont YMCA Swim Association) meet held March 1-3. The Alleghany Highlands YMCA fielded one of the smallest teams in the event, but the Dolphins were able to swim to a sixth-place finish. The girls finished fourth, while the boys were sixth.
The 19 Dolphin swimmers who participated were entered in 105 individual events. They recorded 11 First Time Swims and 69 Personal Bests. All 19 swimmers had at least one Personal Best, and every swimmer scored points.
“This is such an important team meet — it’s what we work toward all season,” said Shari Peterson, who along with Kathy Wilson coaches the Dolphins. “Every swimmer did a magnificent job, and we’re so proud of them all.”
As a result of her strong performances throughout the season, Haley Jonas qualified in seven events for the URSY Regional Meet, held in Lynchburg March 15-17. She was able to swim in a maximum of nine events.
“Our coaches and families are very proud of the hard work all the swimmers put in and their awesome performance at Champs,” said Wilson. “We are awed by all the dedication and hard work displayed by these swimmers. They are such an inspiration.”
The Dolphins held their banquet to mark the end of the season on Sunday, March 24. During the festivities, Coach Shari and Coach Kathy were recognized for their nearly 30 years of working with the YMCA swim team.
“We are so lucky to have such dedicated coaches,” said Bobbie Wagner, Alleghany Highlands YMCA president and CEO. “They have positively impacted the lives of so many children, and we are so fortunate to have them.”
PERSONAL BESTS (PB) AND FIRST TIME SWIMS (FTS)
One: Cora Hodges: 1 PB; Daisy Hodges: 1 PB.
Two: Ella Rosales: 2 PB, 2 of 3 events.
Three: Timber Carter: 3 PB, 3 of 3 events; James Hodges: 2 PB/1 FTS, 3 of 3 events; Lincoln Rosales: 2 PB/1 FTS, 3 of 3 events; Katie Stull: 1 PB/2 FTS, 3 of 4 events; Charlotte Taylor: 2 PB/1 FTS, 3 of 4 events; Edison Thomas: 3 PB, 3 of 4 events.
Four: Aiden Fry: 4 PB, 4 of 5 events; Winnie Harmon: 3 PB/1 FTS, 4 of 4 events; Ava Nicely: 4 PB.
Five: Fisher Lee: 5 PB, 5 of 6 events; Emily Peters: 5 PB; Faith Shull: 3 PB/3 FTS, 6 of 8 events; McKinley Yeagley: 4 PB/1 FTS, 5 of 7 events.
Six: Francesca Hansford: 4 PB/2 FTS, 6 of 8 events.
Eight: Haley Jonas: 8 PB, 8 of 9 events.
Nine: Jack Shull: 9 PB, 9 of 9 events.
MOST IMPROVED SWIMMERS IN EACH SESSION
First Session: Girls: Emily Peters: 24.78 seconds; Boys: Jack Shull: 42.5 seconds.
Second Session: Girls: Katie Stull: 146.48 seconds.
Third Session: Girls: Winnie Harmon: 24.68 seconds; Boys: Jack Shull: 23.35 seconds.
Fourth Session: Girls: Francesca Hansford: 8.97 seconds; Boys: Edison Thomas, 11.56 seconds.
Fifth Session: Girls: Charlotte Taylor: 1.73 seconds.
RIBBONS
Tenth: Francesca Hansford, Emily Peters, Charlotte Taylor.
Ninth: Francesca Hansford, Daisy Hodges, Ava Nicely, Emily Peters (2), Lincoln Rosales, Faith Shull, Charlotte Taylor.
Eighth: Francesca Hansford (3), James Hodges, Fisher Lee, Ava Nicely, Jack Shull.
Seventh: Ava Nicely, Emily Peters, Faith Shull, Katie Stull (2), Edison Thomas.
Sixth: Fisher Lee, Ava Nicely (2), Emily Peters, Lincoln Rosales.
Fifth Relays: Girls 13 & Over 200 Free: Emily Peters, Katie Stull, Charlotte Taylor, Cora Hodges; Mixed 12 & Under 200 Medley: Daisy Hodges, Lincoln Rosales, Ava Nicely, Jack Shull; Mixed 10 & Under 200 Free: Francesca Hansford, Aiden Fry, Fisher Lee, Haley Jonas.
Fifth: Haley Jonas, Fisher Lee, Emily Peters, Lincoln Rosales, Jack Shull (3), Edison Thomas (2).
Fourth: Aiden Fry, James Hodges, Haley Jonas, Ava Nicely, McKinley Yeagley.
MEDALS
Third Relays: Mixed 10 & Under 200 Medley: James Hodges, Francesca Hansford, Haley Jonas, Winnie Harmon.
Third: Aiden Fry (2), Francesca Hansford, Haley Jonas, Fisher Lee, Jack Shull (2), McKinley Yeagley (2).
Second: Aiden Fry, James Hodges, Haley Jonas (5), Fisher Lee, Jack Shull (2). McKinley Yeagley (3).
First: Aiden Fry, Haley Jonas, Jack Shull, McKinley Yeagley, Timber Carter (3).
PYSA TOP POINTS
6 & Under Girls: Second: McKinley Yeagley.
7-8 Girls: Sixth: Timber Carter.
7-8 Boys: Fourth: Aiden Fry; Eighth: Fisher Lee.
9-10 Girls: Second: Haley Jonas; Tied Seventh: Francesca Hansford.
9-10 Boys: Ninth: Edison Thomas.
11-12 Girls: Tenth: Ava Nicely.
11-12 Boys: Third: Jack Shull.
TEAM RECORDS
Aiden Fry: 25 Back: 21.04 (10-Year-Old Record); 100 Back: 1:53.16 (New Record).
TEAM AWARDS
First Year: Timber Carter, Aiden Fry, Ava Fry, Winnie Harmon, Mason LaPrade, Finnley Rosales, Faith Shull, Logan Walton.
Second Year: Francesca Hansford, Fisher Lee, Ella Rosales, Lincoln Rosales, Nolan Rosales, Katie Stull, Edison Thomas, Maun Tucker, McKinley Yeagley.
Third Year: Ava Nicely.
Fourth Year: James Connor, James Hodges.
Fifth Year: Makayla Gilbert, Cora Hodges, Daisy Hodges, Haley Jonas, Emily Peters, Jack Shull, Charlotte Taylor.
Sixth Year: Kara Nicely.
The Alleghany Highlands YMCA Dolphins winter swim season begins in early October and continues through early March. Summer swim team will be offered again this summer, beginning after schools release for the summer. Children ages 5 through 19 can participate in either program but they must pass a swim test to participate.
Anyone interested in joining the Dolphins swim team is encouraged to call Trevor Barron, Alleghany Highlands YMCA aquatics director, at (540) 862-8679 for more information.
Since its inception, the Alleghany Highlands YMCA has provided a variety of youth and family programs along with expanded memberships and services into all of the Alleghany Highlands communities. For more information on the Alleghany Highlands YMCA, call (540) 962-9622.
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