The Waynesboro YMCA year round competitive swim team, SMAC, recently competed in the Virginia Age Group State Championships in Christiansburg. The local team came away with a very impressive 2nd place finish.
The following SMAC swimmers qualified and competed in the meet: Miles Fitzgerald (12), Sydney Hill (10), Claudia James (14), Davis McKellop (11), Cameron Murie (14), Mia Peifer (10), Hailey Ruszala (9), Jackson Schundler (11), Ellie Schundler (9), Haley Sheffield (10), Rowland Thornberry (10), Kristen Wagner (14), Anna Weaber (10), Emmaline Woodworth (14) and Ben Young (12).
Haley Sheffield, who finished the meet as the high point earner for SMAC, placed in the top eight in four of her individual events. Those events included the 200 free (6th), the 50 fly (8th), the 50 free (6th) and the 500 free (7th). She also combined with Weaber, Schundler, Ruszala and Hill in various relays, placing in the top 10 in all four of their relay events.
Ben Young led the way for the male SMAC swimmers. In addition to finishing in the top 16 in four of his events, he broke a SMAC team record in the 200 yard butterfly, held since 2007. The boys’ relay team of Young, Fitzgerald, Schundler and Davis combined to help the team score points in all four of their relay events.
Other highlights included Kristen Wagner scoring in four of her individual events (1000 free, 1650 free, 500 free and 200 fly) and Hailey Ruszala scoring in the 500 yard free. The 13-14 girls relay team of Wagner, Murie, James and Woodworth had several exciting relays, placing 1st in their heat twice, and finishing 11th in the state overall in the 400 yard freestyle relay.
SMAC will now finish their short course season with numerous swimmers competing at YMCA Nationals April 4th-8th. They will then begin their long course season.
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