Providence, RI (November 28, 2023) — Regional public relations consultant and author, John Houle, officially releases…
YMCA Youth Propel to Victory in Regional Swimming Competition
YMCA of Pawtucket Swim Teams Propel to Victory in Regional Swimming Competition
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (April 2, 2018) — As “America’s Swim Instructor,” the Y is the most accessible community resource to prevent drowning and encourage a lifelong enjoyment of swimming. Through the Y’s ‘Safety Around Water’ program, YMCA of Pawtucket branches are helping children learn essential water safety skills, as well as an appreciation for the health benefits of swimming. Most recently, the Woonsocket YMCA Whalers Swim Team and the MacColl YMCA Marlins Swim Team enjoyed tremendous success at the Senecy League Championship held at Boston University.
The Woonsocket Whalers Swim Team has grown exponentially over the last 8 years. When Bill Evans, Whalers swim coach, took over the program in 2010 the team was comprised of just 20 team members. Today, the team has grown to close to 50 competitors, many of whom have become truly skilled, talented swimmers. An experienced and championship winning coach, Evans is joined by assistant coaches, Liz McGarry and Rick Harnois. Aquatics Director, Ed Rotella, thanked the coaches, parents and competitors for their unwavering dedication to the swim team, stating: “I cannot comment enough on the perseverance and commitment of our team. From the coaches who have worked so hard to build confidence in these swimmers, to the parents who have held fundraisers to support our efforts, and the swimmers who strive each meet to succeed … We are so proud of their success.”
In race events that measured swimmers’ breaststroke, freestyle, butterfly, and backstroke times, Whaler swimmers landed top 10 finishes on 22 different occasions. Impressively, Lauren Mania and Jacob Parenteau took 1st place finishes in the girls 11-12 backstroke and boys 11-12 butterfly events, respectively. From a collective standpoint, the youth swimming team achieved 55 ‘best times,’ the most in Whaler history. Additional highlights for the Whalers at Senecy include:
- Amelia Boyes; placing 3rd in girls 11-12, 50 breaststroke
- Gabe Fowler; placing 3rd in boys 11-12, 50 breaststroke
- Lauren Mania; also placing 2nd in girls 11-12, 200 IM events
- Sean Mania; placing 2nd in boys 9-10 ,100 IM; 2nd in boys ages 9-10, 100 freestyle
- Mackenna Moylan; placing 2nd in girls ages 8 and under, 25-butterfly
- Jacob Parenteau; also placing 2nd in boys 11-12, 200 IM
- Kyle Crossley; 13/ 14 7th 50 free, 9th 100 back
- Benjamin Fowler; 9/10 7th in both 100 IM and 50 Fly
- Nate Fowle; 13/14 6 100 free and 4th 100 Breast
- Jeffery Fraser; 13/14 7th 200 IM
- Colin Hyland; 11/12 4th in both 200 free and 100 free
- Makenna Moylan; 8/under 4th 25 free and 25 back
The members of the MacColl YMCA Marlins team also experienced impressive performances by their swimmers at the Senecy Championship with a 5th place overall finish. In the age groups, the 8 & U boys finished in 1st place and the 9 & 10 boys landed a 2nd place finish. The team was also recognized with the Spirit Award and finished 1st place in the Red Division for medium sized teams. Individual champions included: Katelyn Chiappetta, 11-12 girls 50-butterfly winning time 29.59; Ryan Allen, 11 – 12 boys 50-back winning time 31.83; and Jackson Chiappetta, 9-10 boys 50-butterfly winning time 32.68. All top ten finishers are listed below:
- Ben Ranney; 2nd in boys 8 & under, 25 Butterfly; placing 4th in boys 8 & under, 50 Back; also placing 6th in boys 8 & under, 25 Back
- Krystof Kotnisz; placing 2nd in boys 8 & under, 25 Breaststroke; placing 4th in boys 8 & under, 25 Back; also placing 6th in boys 8 & under, 25 Free
- Joseph DeCarvalho; placing 9th in boys 8 & under, 100 IM; placing 9th in boys 8 & under, 25 Breaststroke
- John Tierney; placing 7th in boys 8 & under, 25 Back
- Aiden Phul; placing 5th in the boys 8 & under, 25 Breaststroke
- Kaila DaCruz; placing 8th in girls 8 & under, 50 Free; placing 10th in girls 8 & under, 25 Butterfly
- Hayley Abbruzzese; placing 2nd girls 9-10, 50 Back; also placing 8th in Girls 9-10, 50 Breast
- Aida Park; placing 2nd in girls 9-10, 100 Free; also placing 5th in 9-10 girls, 50 Free
- Jackson Chiappetta; placing 1st boys 9-10, 50 Butterfly; placing 2nd in boys 9-10, 50 back; also placing 3rd in boys 9-10, 100 Free
- Braedon Ando; placing 3rd boys 9/10, 100 IM; Placing 4th in boys 9/10, 100 free; also placing 2nd boys 9/10, 50 Breast
- Kellan Shave; 4th in boys 9-10, 50 Free; placing 6th in boys 9-10, 50 Back; also placing 10th in boys 9-10, 50 Breaststroke
- Katelyn Chiappetta; placing 1st girls 11-12, 50 Butterfly; placing 2nd in girls 11-12, 50 back; also placing 2nd in girls 11-12, 50 Back
- Ryan Allen; placing 5th boys 11-12, 50 Free; also placing 1st in boys 11-12, 50 Back
- Tristan DaCruz; placing 3rd boys 11-12, 50 Free; also placing 8th in boys 11-12, 200 Free
- Olivia Nault; placing 3rd in girls 13-14, 50 free; also placing 7th in girls 13-14, 100 Free
- Kathy Hornsleth; placing 7th girls 13-14, 200 Free
- Matthew Marcil; placing 5th in boys 13-14, 50 Free; also placing 7th in boys 13-14, 100 Breaststroke
- Alexander Quesada; placing 6th in boys 13-14, 200 free; placing 8th in boys 13-14, 100 Back
- Ben Goho; placing 5th boys 15-18, 200 free; Placing 6th in boys 15-18, 100 free; also placing 5th boys 15-18, 100 Breast
- Riley Phillips; placing 8th in girls 15-18, 100 Back
Colleen Logan, Aquatic Director at the MacColl YMCA, has enjoyed watching the development of the swim team over this past season, stating: “We had 115 members compete during our short course season with 20 competing in both SENECY league and USA swimming. Our coaching staff is one of the most dedicated I have ever worked with and bring with them years of swim team experience. Thank you to head coach Alexandria McCormick as well as our three assistant coaches, Kassidy McCormick, Dan Cameron and Andrea Ronan.”
About the YMCA
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The YMCA of Pawtucket is comprised of five branches across the state: Pawtucket Family YMCA and Heritage Park YMCA Early Learning Center in Pawtucket, MacColl YMCA in Lincoln, Westwood YMCA in Coventry and Woonsocket YMCA.
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