Swim Team Readies for States

By Jonathan Weaver

The Richard G. Snyder YMCA Stingrays are headed to the State competition at the end of the month.

Of the 10 swimmers that competed in the district competition at Penn State University last weekend, nine will return to State College March 22.

To qualify for States, swimmers had to post any of the six-best times among three districts or be among the next six fastest overall.

Ethan Weigel turned nine in February, but was eight when the season started – the youngest on the team – and will compete against older athletes at the upcoming competition after qualifying.

The West Hills Primary third grader said it was a little difficult against the older swimmers, but he still aimed to try hard at every single practice

“It was fun – I think I dropped my time on everything,” Ethan said.

In fact, Coach Mary Ann Lundrgren said Ethan wasn’t the other one.

“They all dropped times – they did outstanding,” Coach Lundgren said. “For a second-year team to have kids go to States is unbelievable.

“Their goal was to go to Districts and do a wonderful job – they far-exceeded our expectations by making it to States. I’m very proud of these kids.”

Coach Attie Abranovic said swimmers dropped from between a half-second up to five seconds.

Ethan swam alongside his brother, Parker, at district competition, and also has a sister that swims at the YMCA.

Caleb Matus, 10, of Ford City attends Lenape Elementary, and will compete in the boys four-person relay at the end of the month. At districts, he swam three events.

Both the boys’ and girls’ 9-10 year old relay team are among the top 18 in the State.
He learned to swim from his grandmother, Paula, and mother.

This is his third year competing after also doing so on summer Belmont Complex teams, but the first time he competed in a district tournament.

While most of his friends play football, basketball or hockey, he chooses to stay in the water swimming.

“It was great being with my friends,” Matus said.

Cole DiNunzio, 10, of Kittanning is in his third year of swimming, his first as a Stingray. Also a member of the relay team, he has three other individual events to prepare for.

While the relay is freestyle, he said the team will also work on some other stretches to prepare for the competition in 11 days.

Coach Abranovic also was proud of the swimmers.

“These kids put a lot of time, effort and hard work in. Swimming is an endurance sport – you commit eight-nine hour swim meets on weekends,” Abranovic said. “It’s all about their commitment to want to be here.

“We gave them the day off (Monday), and a few of them were sad that they had the day off. We thought they would be appreciative of the rest and catching up on Daylight Savings, but they wanted to be here – and I think that really shows how much they really want this and are working for something.”

This will be the last competition for the season before Spring conditioning and summer competitions.