The Sewickley Valley YMCA swimmers — the Sea Dragons — competed in the Division II championship meet held earlier this year at Butler.
The Sea Dragons swim at five levels: New Novice (ages 6-8), Advanced Novice (7-8), Cadet (9-10), Prep, Junior and Senior (11-18) and High School.
Sewickley Valley YMCA captured first place in the girls competition at the Division II finals while the boys placed second. As a group, the Sea Dragons finished in second place.
“This is huge,” coach Paula Kwalick said. “Last year, we were in Division III and we won, moving us up to the very fast Division II. The highest-scoring team annually moves up while the lowest-scoring moves down.
“We have yo-yoed between divisions for years, never able to stay in the higher division. This season, not only did we stay, we placed in the top two — and not just overall but in every age group and gender except 15 and up.”
The Sea Dragons were represented by almost 90 swimmers at the divisional meet.
“I am so proud of this team,” Kwalick said, “for their hard work, dedication and for showing up.”
A total of 30 Y swimmers qualified for the district championships held March 6-8 at Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio. The Sea Dragons were represented in 86 individual events and 14 relays.
Qualifiers were Calvin Baird, Lily Carlson, Henry Donahue, Ricki Doran, Dom Ferra, Abby Fischer, Rhett Forsythe, Alina Groom, Tharli Karto, Luka Kocic, Luna Kocic, Max Koop, Rox Leslie, Celia Meunier, Leo Monyok, Logan Monyok, Luke Monyok, Lydia Monyok, Devyn Mouas, Halle Myers, Martina Osofsky, Emily Ponzo, James Rabe, Aurora Schreffler, Lucas Steffy, Gavin Vachon, Claire Weinberg, Chase Yesenosky, Elle Yesenosky and Chase Yocum.
Sewickley Valley YMCA will be well-represented at the state championships March 20-22 at WVU off their performances in Geneva.
“It was a great meet for our team,” Kwalick said. “Every swimmer cut time and swam with such determination. The races were exciting, especially since a few hundredths of a second were the difference between going to states or going home.
“Our girls 11-12 relay, seeded sixth, dropped five seconds and edged out a team from Edinboro by 0.02 (seconds) to take fourth place.”
The Sea Dragons will compete in nine individual events and four relays at the state meet.
Individual qualifiers include James Rabe (9-10) in the 50 back, 100 back, 100 free; Luke Monyok (13-14) in the 400 IM, 200 breast; Logan Monyok (13-14) in the 100 free; Martina Osofsky (11-12) in the 50 butterfly; Emily Ponzo (13-14) in the 200 back; and Lily Carlson (11-12) in the 50 free.
The boys relay teams were the 9-10 200 medley (James Rabe, Chase Yocum, Leo Monyok, Max Koop) and 9-10 200 free (Max Koop, Henry Donahue, Chase Yocum, James Rabe).
The girls relay teams were the 13-14 200 free (Emily Ponzo, Claire Weinberg, Devyn Mouas, Celia Meunier) and 11-12 200 free (Lily Carlson, Alina Groom, Elle Yesenosky, Martina Osofsky).
“These kids supported and motivated each other,” Kwalick said. “In a sport that is very individual, they were a team.”
All of which should be music to the ears of the Quaker Valley high school swim program.
“We have swimmers from many school districts, but the majority are Quaker Valley students, and most continue on to swim for the high school program,” Kwalick said. “This is the first year we’ve had high school swimmers compete for both the Sea Dragons and high school. Ian Benson, Luke Monyok, Halle Myers and Claire Weinberg all swam at WPIALs. They are all freshmen and excellent, versatile swimmers.”
Several other Y competitors are expected to add depth to the high school program as freshmen next year. They include Dom Ferra, Gavin Lindemann, Logan Monyok, Alex Moyer, Emily Ponzo, Celia Meunier and Chase Yesenosky.
“They all swam in championship meets,” Kwalick said. “I’m excited to see what they accomplish at the high school level.”
One of the trademarks of the Sewickley Valley YMCA swim program is what can best be described as its overall team camaraderie.
“I really feel the kids get an excellent start with our team,” Kwalick said. “We have an experienced and passionate coaching staff, and we really focus on technique, not high yardage.
“The culture has changed, too. We are very team oriented in a sport that is more focused on the individual. It’s great to see the kids building friendships that carry outside of the pool. It’s really what Y swimming is all about.”
The Sea Dragons also had a strong showing at the Silver District meet held in February in Hollidaysburg.
The list of YMCA age division titlists includes Alina Groom, who won the 50 butterfly event, placed third in the 100 free, and fourth in the 100 IM; Lucas Stefy, first in the 50 fly, third in the 100 IM; Rhett Forsythe, first in the 200 free and 100 breast; third in the 50 free; Gavin Vachon, first in the 50 free, fifth in the 50 back, sixth in the 50 breast; Max Leslie, first in the 100 breast, third in the 50 free, fourth in the 100 free; Devyn Mouas, first in the 100 free, second in the 100 breast, third in the 100 back; Max Koop, first in the 100 free, seventh in the 100 IM; and Tharli Karto, first in the 100 breast and 100 free.
Turning to other YMCA action, the Sea Dragons were represented by 19 of their youngest swimmers at a Novice Division meet in Indiana, Pa.
Both Sewickley Y teams placed fourth; the boys did so with just four swimmers.
“The relays took the spotlight,” Kwalick said. “The girls medley finished second and both the girls and boys free relays placed third.
“Henry Koop was on the top of the podium in the 50 free. He also was second in the 25 free. On the girls side, Lena Kabulski made the podium in all three of her events. Many others achieved personal-best times; we had a lot of podium appearances.”
Medal winners included Chase Yesenosky (50, 100, 200 free), Dom Ferra (200 breast, 50 free, 200 free), Henry Donahue (50 free, 50 back, 100 free), Elise Bachmann (200 free, 50 fly), Martina Osofsky (100 IM), Carol Kurumfashe (50 free), Alex Moyer (100 back, 50 free) and Leo Monyok (50 breast).
Other leading competitors for the Y’s novice swimmers included Abby Fischer (200 IM, 100 back), Ricki Doran (100 IM), Rox Leslie (100 IM), Chris Bromall (100 IM), Bruce Baird (200 free), Elle Yesenosky (50, 100, 200 breast), Victoria Bogdewic (50 free, 100 breast), Lizzy King (100 breast), Gavin Lindemann (100 breast), Max Fischer (50 breast, 100 breast), Olivia Mounts (50 back), Calvin Baird (50 back), Thomas Bogdewic (100 free), Ricki Doran (50 breast), Kira Bromall (50 breast), Bea Leslie (50 back, 50 breast), Owen O’Donnell (100 breast), Annabelle Morin (100 back) and Chris Bromall (50 fly).
Kwalick is assisted by Michelle Baird, Ed Chow, Jeremy Cornman, Lydia Holley, Lexi Kwalick, Paula Kwalick, Mike Monyok, Felicity Portoulas, Cory Webster and dryland coach Tara Viti.
Baird, Monyok and Viti are volunteer coaches.