The Waynesboro Y year round competitive swim team, SMAC, (Shenandoah Marlins Aquatic Club) competed in District and Regional Meets February 28 – March 2 at the Virginia tech pool in Christiansburg, Va.
There were a lot of red SMAC swim caps in the pool as the Team brought 47 swimmers to the meet. This was the first year for running a combined District and Regional Meet at the same time. The pool was set up to have eight racing lanes for the 13 and older swimmers on one side of the pool and eight racing lanes on the opposite end for the 12 and under swimmers and several warm up lanes in between to separate the pools. The coaches were busy going back and forth to watch the swimmers at both ends of the pool.
The SMAC swimmers attending the meet were: Cameron Aenchbacher (7), Nick Aldridge (10), Amber Cason (7), Megan Cross (8), Emma Davis (9), Michael Dukes (13), Braelin Fauber (13), McKina Fitzgerald (14), Miles Fitzgerald (10), Alexander Flowers (15), Brodie Franklin (10), Quinn Franklin (7), Grace Hardiman (11), Emma Hill (13), Sydney Hill (8), Taylor Hubbard (13), Grace Ipsen (6), Carson Lawhorne (9), Phoenix Kowell-Ure (9), Sarah Loomis (14), Davis Mckellop (9), Paige McKellop (7), Matthew Mercer (11), Ryan Mercer (9), Justin Merritt (16), Jordan Miller (15), Cameron Murie (12), Rachel Murie (11), Mia Peifer (8), Ella Pickering (12), Jessi Prather (11), Clara Riggan (11), Maggie Riggan (14), Hailey Ruszala (7), Jackson Schundler (9), Elle Schundler (7), Haley Sheffield (8), Hanna Shifflett (12), Sierra Sloat (7), Julia Smith (9), Tate Snyder (13),Jayla White (7), Keelin Wolfe (16), Emma Woodworth (11), Ben Young (10), Libby Young (13) and Jake Zamalis, (16).
The following SMAC swimmers placed in the top 3 in the meet: Miles Fitzgerald – 10 and under (3rd 100Bk & 2nd 100 IM), Sidney Hill – 8 and under (3rd 100 free & 200IM, 1st 200 free, 50 breast, 100 breast), Davis McKellop – 10 and under (3rd 500 free), Justin Merritt – 15 and over (3rd 200 free & 200 IM, 2nd 100 fly), Jordan Miller 15 and over (3rd 200 free, 500 free & 100 fly), Cameron Murie – 11/12 (3rd 50 free, 2nd 100 free), Ella Pickering – 11/12 (3rd 500 free, 100 fly, 2nd 200 fly), Hailey Sheffield – 8 and under (3rd 200 free & 100 fly, 2nd 100 back), Hanna Shifflett – 11/12 (3rd 200 free, 100 back & 100 breast, 2nd 200 back), Keelin Wolfe – 15 and over (2nd 1,000 free), Emma Woodworth – 11/12 (3rd 50back, 200 back, 2nd 100 back) and Ben Young – 10 and under (2nd 50 fly).
Highlights of the meet included: many swimmers with best times in all of their races, the 11/12 year old girls winning several relays, the 8 and under girls placing second in several relays, Sheffield breaking the 8 and under girls SMAC record in the 25 free, and Pickering winning the 50 free swim off with all of her teammates cheering her on. The swim off occurred because Pickering and a swimmer from a different team were tied (with the exact same time to the one-hundredth of a second) for the final spot to make it to finals.
The SMAC Team will now head to compete at the Virginia Senior Champs in Richmond and the 14 and under Virginia Age Group Championship Meet in Christiansburg. The swimmers that can accomplish the National Time Standard will be able to compete at the Y National Championship in early April. SMAC hopes to continue its tradition of winning the small team award at the State level and send as many swimmers as possible to Y Nationals.
For more information regarding SMAC or to schedule a tryout contact Coach Norm Wright, Director of Competitive Swimming at the Waynesboro Y at 942-5107 or email him at [email protected]
For more information about SMAC, please visit their website: www.smacswimming.org.
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